How much does a driveway cost in 2025?

Your driveway is one of the hardest working parts of your home. It houses your cars, it has a major impact on your property’s kerb appeal, and it’s the first thing you see when you return home. But how much does a driveway cost?

Whether you’re updating your existing drive or you’re putting a new one in from scratch, here’s everything you need to know about the cost of a driveway.

How much does a new driveway cost?

Average driveway costs

The cost of a new driveway (materials and labour) typically ranges from £60 per m² for gravel up to around £120 per m² for resin-bound.

• Tarmac driveways cost in the region of £90 per m²
• Concrete driveways sit around £95 per m²
• Block paving driveways typically cost around £100 per m² 

Driveway installation costs

Looking at installation costs alone, you’ll find slight variances depending on the driveway material you select:

• Gravel is the cheapest driveway to install at around £30 per m²
• Tarmac installation averages around £40 per m²
• Concrete driveway installation usually sits around £45 per m²
• Block paving installation costs in the region of £50 per m²
• Resin driveways are on the more expensive end of the scale, with installation costing around £50 per m²

Driveway cost calculator

To get a ballpark quote for your driveway project, use our driveway cost calculator, below.

Factors that influence driveway costs

Not all driveways are made equal, and these variances will impact the overall driveway cost you are quoted.

Factors that influence the cost of a driveway include:

• Your chosen driveway material and whether drainage is needed
• The size of your driveway
• The groundwork needed to prepare the sub-base
• Labour costs for installation and regional differences
• Maintenance costs

We’ll look at each of these in detail, below.

Driveway materials

Here, we’ll look at the pros, cons, considerations, and costs of the most popular driveway materials.

Gravel driveways

Gravel, which is often referred to as chipping, is a popular solution for driveway surfacing and is particularly common on larger rural properties.

The more you pay, the more the stones are consistent in size, shape, and colour – and almost certainly a bit smoother. The common sizes are 10 and 20mm widths.

Pros of gravel driveways

• Gravel is noisy so is great for security as you can hear who’s coming
• Comes in a range of colours to suit different properties
• Aesthetically pleasing and associated with high-value homes
• Relatively cheap and quick to install

Cons of gravel driveways

• It can be difficult to roll bins over
• Needs maintenance to manage stones
• Unable to be used on slopes

Gravel driveway costs

• Gravel costs around £30 per m²
• Installation is typically around £30 per m²
• In total, expect to pay an average of £60 per m² for a gravel driveway
• A gravel, double driveway typically costs in the region of £3,000

Related content: Learn more about gravel driveways

Tarmac driveways

Tarmac consists of small stones mixed with tar. It was commonly used as a road surfacing construction but now the majority of what we presume is tarmac is actually asphalt concrete, which is a mix of small stones and bitumen.

Pros of tarmac driveways

• Relatively cheap to lay
• Uniform in appearance and can be used on slopes
• Low maintenance if subject to relatively low traffic

Cons of tarmac driveways

• Relies on good quality installation
• Can look overly uniform in large areas

Tarmac driveway cost

• Tarmac driveways costs around £50 per m²
• Installation is typically around £40 per m²
• In total, expect to pay, on average, £90 per m² for a tarmac driveway
• This translates at about £4,500 for a double driveway

Related content: Find out more about tarmac driveway costs

Concrete driveways

Concrete ‘imprint’ driveways are increasingly popular as a way to replicate the look of block paving without the difficulties of installation – often in pre-coloured designs.

Pros of concrete driveways

• Cheaper than block paving
• Variety of colours and patterns
• Long-lasting

Cons of concrete driveways

• Quality very much depends on the installer
• Appearance is difficult to maintain over time
• Can be prone to cracking

Concrete driveway cost

• Concrete driveways costs around £50 per m²
• Installation is typically around £45 per m²
• On average, in total, expect to pay around £95 per m² for a concrete driveway
• A double driveway made of concrete will set you back around £4,750 

Related content: Find out more about concrete driveway costs

Block paving driveways

Block paving consists of either stone, concrete, or clay pavers laid on top of a compressed hardcore. It’s highly adaptable and suitable for pathways as well as driveways, it has been an increasingly popular hard landscaping choice since the 1980s.

Pros of block paving

• There’s a huge range of design options in terms of colour, shape and style – from monotone to multi-colour
• Different materials offer different price points to suit your budget
• Long-lasting and, if installed well, low maintenance – small areas can be patch repaired if necessary

Cons of block paving

• Labour-intensive and therefore expensive to install
• The final finish and quality depend on the individuals installing the paving
• The quality of some cheaper materials can be poor meaning the colour will fade over time

Block paving driveway costs

• Block paving costs around £50 per m²
• Installation is typically around £50 per m²
• On average, expect to pay around £100 per m² total for a block paving driveway
• Typically, a double driveway in block paving material will cost around £5,000 

Related content: Read more about block paving costs

Resin driveways

Resin driveways consist of gravel bound together by a resin – effectively you get the look of gravel without the movement. They’re increasingly popular as a porous, low maintenance option.

Pros of resin driveways

• Variety of finished looks dependent on the gravel you choose
• Long-lasting solution
• Porous surface, therefore SUDS compliant

Cons of resin driveways

• Expensive
• Resin driveway can require maintenance to keep moss growth off

Resin driveway cost

• Resin bound driveways costs around £70 per m²
• Installation is typically around £50 per m²
• In total, on average, expect to pay around £120 per m² for a resin bound driveway
• A resin-bound double driveway will usually cost in the region of £6,000 

Related content: Read more about the cost of resin bound driveways

Drainage and planning permission for driveways

You won’t need planning permission to build a new or replacement driveway as long as you use a permeable surface.

Most of the common surfacing choices offer options that comply with the regulations – what’s known as a Sustainable Urban Drainage System (SUDS).

If you choose to use an impermeable surface such as concrete, tarmac, or paving then adequate drainage is a must.

Related content: Read about SUDS compliance here

Driveway size

The total cost of your driveway will also be affected by its size. For example:

Paving vs tarmac driveway cost

• A tarmac driveway averages around £2,200 for a single car driveway, up to around £7,000 for a large, multiple car driveway
• Comparatively, a block paving driveway typically ranges from £2,400 to £8,000 

Gravel vs concrete driveway costs

• A single car driveway using gravel tends to cost around £1,400 whereas the same size driveway in concrete typically costs around £2,300
• A double driveway in gravel normally costs in the region of £3,000 while a double driveway in concrete will set you back around £4,750

Driveway extension costs

If you already have a driveway, you may want to extend it. For example, converting a single driveway into a double one.

The typical cost to extend a driveway is between £100 - £250 per m². It costs more than a new drive as you need to overlay the entire drive to avoid joints, including excavation, supply, and labour.

However, the overall cost will depend on what your driveway is currently made from, as well as your location – labour costs can vary.

Groundwork costs

The key to ensuring your new driveway is a success is in the preparation of the ground itself as well as the overall structure. There are several stages to this process, including:

Digging below the DPC

You’ll need to dig down some 240mm at a depth 150mm below your home’s damp proof course (DPC). You can usually see the line of the black DPC membrane in the external brickwork of your home. It’s normally at the same level as your internal floor, not the lowest brick you can see outside.

Your existing driveway should be some depth below your DPC anyway, which will make things a bit easier. Ideally, the ground should slope away from your house but, if that’s impossible, you’ll need to introduce drainage channels to move the surface rainwater away from the house.

Laying a kerb

The next step is to lay an edge restraint or kerb, which will keep the new driveway structure in position.

Creating a solid sub-base

However, it’s the sub-base that will make or break your driveway. This needs to be a 150mm thick bed of DT Type 1 (MOT) hardcore, which comprises a mix of stones up to 4cm wide. The hardcore is then shaped to the gradient required and then compacted (a wacker plate is perfect) to form a solid base.

• If you’re intending to use block paving for your surface, you’ll need to install a 40mm layer of sharp sand, which should be a little bit damp and lightly compacted, as well as levelled, before the block paving is put down. The joints are finished with brushed-in jointing sand before the paving is compacted
• If your drive will have a tarmac finish, the tarmac is usually applied in two layers – one a sub-base ‘binding course’ (around 50mm thick) and then the final top surface course (25mm thick)

Groundworks for a new driveway typically cost in the region of £20 - £100 per m².

You may also need to factor in the cost of skip hire. On average, skip hire in the UK costs around £125 – £320 per week.

On Checkatrade, you'll only find trades who meet our high standards and pass up to 12 checks.

Driveway installation cost

While some simple block paving and gravel driveways can be installed on a DIY basis, driveways are a complicated and skilled task.

Ultimately, the quality of the excavation and subbase and the knowledge and expertise of the installer are critical to your driveway’s success.

As a result, for a driveway that will last for decades to come, it’s worth hiring a specialist driveway contractor.

Expect to pay between £30 – £50 per m² for driveway installation, depending on the material you choose.

Search your postcode to find approved driveway contractors in your area on Checkatrade.

Maintenance costs

If you’re keen to factor in the cost of ongoing maintenance to keep your driveway looking and performing its best, we can help you with some ballpark figures. As a guide, the cost of cleaning a driveway tends to sit around £8.50 - £15.50 per m².

Tips to save money on driveway maintenance and improvements

Driveways take a lot of abuse – as owners of leaky cars will confirm. A bit of maintenance on your driveway will make it last longer and look better for years to come.

Driveway stains? The key is to tackle stains as soon as you notice them. The most common problem is oil stains, which should be cleaned with a specialist dedicated oil cleaner product like Resiblock or if spotted early enough, vinegar.

Cracks? Tarmac driveways in particular can begin to wear after several years of heavy use. A recent product development is pre-bagged tarmac, which can simply be poured and tamped into position. It will weather down after a year or so.

Cheapest driveway options

The cheapest driveway option is gravel at around £30 per m². It not only has one of the lowest material costs, but it’s quick to install, making it a great choice if looking to save money on driveway installation.

Gravel does need a little more maintenance than other types of driveway, as weeds can grow through. If you’re looking for an alternative, that’s low maintenance, but still affordable, tarmac is a popular choice at around £50 per m².

Sustainable driveways solutions

Grass pavers are environmentally friendly and allow rainwater to drain back into the soil. Grass driveways aren’t a common solution but are a good choice for particular housing types and those attracted by their sustainability credentials.

You will need a high-density polyethylene reinforcement grid, into which the grass is embedded. 

Pros of grass driveways

• Striking and natural appearance
• Can be used on slopes
• Porous

Cons of grass driveways

• Expensive to install with a small choice of installation companies
• Requires maintenance

8 tips for hiring a good driveway contractor

Before hiring a driveway installer, read over these handy tips to help ensure you choose the right contractor for the job.

1. Do your homework

There are many factors to consider when planning for the cost of a new driveway – you want to make sure you entrust the project to a reputable installer.

Use a trusted directory, such as Checkatrade, to find tradespeople we’ve checked and approved in your area.

We would also advise looking for an installer who is backed and recommended by an approved installer scheme i.e. Brett Landscaping, Marshalls, or Bradstone.

2. Make sure the installer has adequate insurance cover

A reputable installer won’t mind if you ask them about their Public Liability Insurance (PLI). This will help to put things right in the event of a mishap.

3. Ask for examples of their previous work

The best driveway installers will be proud to show you their work. They may even be able to point you in the direction of recently completed driveways near you.

However, don’t just view recently installed drives, ask to see some that have been laid for a good few years to see if they stand up to the test of time.

Tip: This is easy to do on Checkatrade. All our members have a profile, which includes their portfolio of work.

4. Get a written quote

A reputable installer will give you a fully detailed, written quotation outlining the project plan and associated driveway costs.

They should also outline:

• How far they will dig down (usually this will be at least 300mm on an average drive)
• The sub-base they’ll use. The best will typically use ‘Type 1 Stone’ for a sub-base. Crushed concrete is not recommended as it does not compact adequately, resulting in dips. Remember a drive is only as good as the sub-base used

Remember, an estimate is a rough price or an educated guess based on what a job may cost. It’s an informal idea of price based on limited information.

Consider an estimate as a starting point of costs which can go up or down. A quotation is a fixed price that cannot be changed once accepted. Unless the original quotation contract is altered in any way i.e. you ask for extra areas to be paved etc or the installer discovers something completely outside the scope of what was agreed.

5. Ask about drainage and planning permission

In 2010, the government introduced Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) legislation to help reduce the impact of new and existing developments on surface water drainage discharges.

A ‘SuDS‘ (Sustainable urban drainage system) compliant surface is any surface where water can drain through to natural ground or is directed into an installed soakaway or swale.

An experienced installer will be able to advise what’s needed in respect of drainage and planning permission.

6. Look for expertise

Choosing the right driveway materials can feel daunting. But a new driveway is an investment, so tap into the expertise of your installer for their advice.

For example, with block paving, there are many different styles and colours of blocks – it can feel overwhelming. Not only that, but sizing matters too.

In situations where the paved area is for shared access, or used by large cars/four-wheeled drive vehicles with power steering, four-wheeled trailers, horseboxes, etc., a 50mm block is not recommended; a minimum 60mm thickness should be used.

This can be verified by the British Board of Agreement who independently assessed this size block.

Then there’s the question of sealing. Should you have your blocks sealed? We recommend sealing block paving with a good quality sealant. It helps seal in the jointing sand, enhances the colours, and also gives you a better chance of removing accidental staining of oil, etc.

A good installer will be willing to advise you on styles, patterns, and designs, ensuring your driveway is aesthetically pleasing and long-lasting.

7. Ask about guarantees

Most driveway installers will give you at least a 5-year installation guarantee. Ask before you accept their quotation if they provide one and make sure you have it in writing.

Contact or pay a trade through Checkatrade and you’re covered by our 12-month guarantee of up to £1,000*

* Eligibility and T&Cs apply

8. Be wary of cheap driveway quotes

The old saying “You get what you pay for” is true when it comes to driveways. Make sure you get at least three quotes and if one of them is just too good to be true, alarm bells should start ringing.

Make sure you compare like-for-like and do your research on your chosen installer.

Take a look at our hiring advice guide for more information.

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FAQs

How do I calculate my driveway costs?

To calculate driveway costs:

• Measure the area in m²
• Multiply this figure by the cost per m² of your chosen driveway material
• Add driveway installation costs – including the cost of any groundwork required before your driveway is laid

Use our driveway cost calculator to get an estimate for your project.

Are resin driveways worth it?

Resin driveways have grown in popularity for their aesthetic appeal, low maintenance, and durability. They’re also permeable, making them SUDS compliant, and are available in a range of colour options.

Do I need planning permission for a new driveway?

If your driveway is under 5m² and permeable materials are used/adequate drainage is provided, planning permission is not normally required.

If the driveway is attached to a listed building, or impacts road access, contact your local planning authority before starting work.

What is the difference between tarmac and asphalt driveways?

Tarmac is made of crushed stone and tar. It’s durable and affordable but limited in design options.

Asphalt is similar to tarmac, but has a smoother appearance. It’s longer-lasting and is more environmentally friendly.

What is cheaper – asphalt or concrete?

Asphalt is usually cheaper – priced similarly to tarmac at around £80 - £100 per m². Printed concrete can cost between £80 - £110 per m².

How long does a tarmac driveway last?

Depending on the quality of installation, how it’s used, and its exposure to extreme weather, tarmac driveways can last 10-20 years.

What’s the most environmentally friendly driveway?

Permeable options such as gravel, grass pavers, and resin bound driveways are the most environmentally friendly. They allow water to drain naturally and prevent runoff.

Recycled materials, e.g. crushed concrete, are also eco-friendly.

Can you lay a new drive over your existing drive?

Simply laying a new surface on top of your existing driveway is tempting as a cheap driveway option – but in most cases, it’s a mistake.

Driveways get a lot of use and inevitably over time the surface will erode and the sub-base begin to drop. The winter/summer cycle will introduce cracks and the structural integrity of the whole driveway can be compromised.

The one driveway type where a repair is a viable option is a tarmac or asphalt driveway, where the new layers can simply be rolled in and over the existing.

How can I reduce driveway maintenance costs?

To reduce ongoing driveway maintenance costs, choose a low maintenance material such as resin or tarmac.

• If choosing a gravel driveway, add a weed membrane to help prevent weed growth
• Apply a sealant on surfaces such as block paving, concrete, or asphalt
• Clean the driveway regularly to help minimise stains and keep weeds and moss in check