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How much does a tarmac driveway cost in the UK? 2026 prices
Updated 03/26
We outline how much it costs to tarmac a drive, including the cost per m², a comparison with other driveway materials, factors that affect pricing, and how to find a reputable contractor near you.
Fast Facts
For a two-car tarmac driveway (50m²), expect to pay around £4,500
A driveway resurfacing specialist will typically charge between £150–£200 per day
Tarmac costs around £50 per m² for materials
The size and condition of your driveway will impact your total cost
Tarmac driveways are popular with UK homeowners for good reason. It's durable, it's cost-effective, and it's visually appealing - and it'll last a long time with minimal maintenance too. But how much does a tarmac drive cost?
Here, you'll find average tarmac driveway costs, the price per m², and how it compares with other driveway materials. We'll also point you in the direction of finding reputable contractors for tarmac resurfacing or tarmac driveway installation near you.
How much does it cost to tarmac a driveway in the UK?
The cost of tarmacking a driveway varies based on several factors. However, the average cost for a 50m² driveway (large enough for two cars) is around £4,500.
You can expect to spend an extra £1,000 if foundations need to be laid. This may not be necessary if you're resurfacing an existing tarmac driveway.
Larger or more complex projects could cost more. You may also find regional variations in labour costs depending on where you live in the UK.
How much does a tarmac driveway cost per m²?
| Cost provided item | Unit | Average cost |
|---|---|---|
| Excavations and disposal | per m² | £28 |
| Sub base | per m² | £23 |
| Tarmac | per m² | £90 |
| Last updated: June 2026 Our costs are ballpark averages - get a local tradesperson to quote now | ||
The typical tarmac price per m² in the UK is around £90. This includes materials and labour.
Tarmac costs by driveway size
When considering how much tarmac costs per square metre, it's helpful to understand what these figures represent in real-world terms:
A tarmac driveway for a single car (approx. 20m²) will cost around £2,200
For a two-car driveway (approx. 50m²), a tarmac driveway will set you back around £4,500
A large, multiple car tarmac driveway (approx. 100m²) typically costs in the region of £7,000
Data verified by our professional estimators
Estimators are CIOB & RICS members
Cost to resurface a tarmac driveway
If the base of your existing tarmac driveway is still solid, and it just needs a spruce-up with new tarmac, you most likely won't need to pay for the excavation and sub base. That means it will just cost you:
Around £50 per m² for the materials
Plus around £150–£200 per person per day for labour
Is tarmac cheaper than block paving or concrete?
Yes, tarmac is a slightly cheaper choice for a driveway compared to most other materials, including block paving, concrete, and resin. Here's what you can expect to pay for materials and labour:
Gravel - £60 per m²
Tarmac - £90 per m²
Concrete - £95 per m²
Block paving - £100 per m²
Resin bound - £120 per m²
Tarmac driveways certainly have their perks. They're low maintenance, durable, versatile, and long-lasting. But how do they compare against other materials?
Gravel is normally slightly cheaper than tarmac and is easier to install. It can be a good option if you're looking for an affordable driveway solution that you can install yourself.
However, tarmac drives are considered more hard-wearing and durable, making the slightly higher upfront cost a worthwhile investment.
Looking at tarmac price vs. block paving, tarmac comes out as the cheaper option. It may not be as decorative as block paving, but you will save time on upkeep.
Find a driveway specialist near you
What is the labour cost to tarmac a drive?
| Cost provided item | Unit | Average Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Labour (team of 2) | Day rate | £400 |
| Skip hire | Weekend charge | £165 |
| Mini digger | Daily hire charge | £250 |
| Last updated: June 2026 Our costs are ballpark averages - get a local tradesperson to quote now | ||
A tradesperson offering driveway resurfacing will typically charge between £150–£200 per day for their time.
Most companies will send two tradespeople to ensure a quick and efficient job. For that reason, budget an average of £400 per day in labour costs for a tarmac drive.
Additional costs
If a skip is needed, expect to pay in the region of £165 for weekend hire
Should you need to hire a mini digger, this typically costs around £250 per day
Get a quote for tarmac driveway installation near me
For an accurate quote for your tarmac drive cost, contact an installer on Checkatrade.
Proper driveway installation by a trusted tradesperson will ensure your new driveway looks great upon completion and long into the future.
Enter your postcode to see who comes highly rated by customers in your area.
Find a driveway specialist near you
Factors affecting the cost of a tarmac drive
Various factors can impact the cost of a tarmac drive. Here are some of the main ones to bear in mind.
1. The size of your driveway
The size of your driveway is one of the biggest factors that will affect your tarmac driveway cost.
Not only will a bigger driveway require more materials, but it will also take longer to complete, increasing labour costs.
A single driveway of roughly 20m² in size could take just 1-2 days to tarmac
A larger area of around 80m² might take 4-5 days
2. Your driveway's condition
Your driveway's current condition will also play a role in determining your overall cost - as will the material it's made from. This is because this can affect how easy it is to resurface it and install your new tarmac driveway.
For instance, the ground should ideally slope away from your house. But, if that's not possible, drainage channels must be introduced to direct surface water away from your home.
3. Additional requirements
Depending on your needs, you may want to do more to your driveway than just tarmac it.
For instance, improving your driveway with decorative edging, a dropped kerb, or driveway gate will add to your total cost.
Similarly, if you want to carry out landscaping work to complement your new driveway, be sure to factor this into your budget.
4. Location
As with any home improvement project, labour costs will vary up and down the country.
Tarmac installation will normally cost more in London and other big cities where the demand is higher. Generally, costs in the north of the country are often lower than in the south.
Read more about the cost of installing a new driveway in our full guide.
On Checkatrade, you'll only find trades who meet our high standards and pass up to 12 checks.
Tips to save money on your tarmac drive
People looking for more affordable tarmac driveway solutions might be wondering whether resurfacing a cracked driveway is a possibility.
If the surface is in good condition, tarmac is the one driveway material where repairs and resurfacing are viable. New layers can be rolled in and over the existing tarmac driveway. However, for a long-lasting solution, a new tarmac driveway is recommended.
Tarmac driveway cost calculator
With these tarmac drive costs in mind, you're probably curious to learn how much it might cost to tarmac your drive.
Price up the average cost of your project using our handy driveway cost calculator below.
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Tarmac driveway checklist
The average tarmac driveway installation cost is £4,500 for a 50m² driveway (which is big enough for two cars)
Factors such as equipment hire and the size of the driveway will factor into the final cost
Be sure to specify the condition of the driveway in advance to the company you hire to avoid additional fees
If you have further landscaping requirements, think about these before hiring a professional
Find a trusted tarmac driveway contractor near you
To ensure you get a fair and competitive price for your tarmac drive, we recommend getting a selection of quotes from local, checked installers.
A new driveway is an investment you want to last, so be sure to ask what guarantee or warranty your contractor offers before you make your choice of hire.
Search your postcode to see who comes highly rated by customers in your local area.
Find a driveway specialist near you
FAQs about tarmac driveways
The average cost for a 50m² driveway is approximately £4,500.
Tarmac costs around £50 per m² (materials only). With labour included, laying tarmac costs around £90 per m².
Comparing tarmac price vs. block paving, tarmac is more affordable upfront, costing around £90 per m² vs. £100 per m² for block paving. These costs include materials and labour.
If you're experienced in resurfacing driveways and have the time to commit to the task, it could be worth opting for the DIY approach. However, this won't be the most cost-effective.
The tarmac alone will set you back £50 per m² , not to mention delivery costs. Then there will be the additional costs to cover equipment hire.
You will also need to ensure SUDS compliance, as tarmac is a non-porous material.
Hiring a driveway installer near you will ensure the job is carried out correctly, in a reasonable time frame, and in compliance with building regulations.
This depends on the size and complexity of the job, but on average, a 50m² driveway takes between 2-3 days to prepare and install. This includes excavation, drainage, and laying foundations.
A single driveway of roughly 20m² may take only 1-2 days to tarmac. Meanwhile, a larger area of around 80m² will often require around 4-5 days.
Of course, any additional requirements like a dropped kerb or further landscaping work will add to the time taken.
Tarmac drives have so many benefits. Just a few include:
Resilient - withstanding heavy traffic and harsh weather
Long-lasting - up to around 15 years
Low maintenance costs - especially compared to concrete driveways
Relatively cheap to lay compared to other materials
Uniform in appearance
Versatile - can be used on sloped and flat surfaces
Some drawbacks of tarmac driveways include the following:
It can soften in extreme heat
You have fewer decorative options, and it can look overly uniform in large areas
It relies on good quality installation
Tarmac is not naturally permeable
If these present a problem, you could consider a gravel, concrete, block paving, or resin driveway instead.
Yes, it can do. Adding a visually appealing and practical driveway to your home can increase its value by up to 5-10%.
Yes. As long as the existing surface is in good condition, a new layer of tarmac can often be applied directly on top.
The best time of year to tarmac a driveway is during spring or summer when the weather is likely to be warm.
This is because the tarmac is applied hot. If the temperature is too low, the mixture can cool and cure too quickly, causing cracks and instability.
Similarly, the weather is likely to be dryer at this time of year. Ideally, you should make sure there's no chance of rain for at least 12 to 24 hours after laying your tarmac.
1 ton of tarmac will typically cover around 5-5.5m² of your driveway at a standard thickness of 50mm. A metric tonne will cover a little more - around 8–10m² at a thickness of 50mm.
A properly installed tarmac driveway will typically last between 15-20 years. You may be able to extend that to 25 years with proper tarmac servicing.
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