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myNew Driveway Cost
At a Glance
- The average cost of a new driveway is £2,500 to £7,500 for 60m², depending on the material.
- It will take about 2 to 3 days to complete.
- Driveway costs by size and surface material.
- Simple calculator for you to quickly get an estimate.
- Estimated timelines for different projects.
- Planning permission and building regulations for driveways.
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Wondering about the cost of a new driveway?
Whether you're replacing an existing drive or turning a front garden into parking, it's a smart move to find out what you're likely to pay.
In this guide, we break down typical driveway costs in 2026, what impacts them, and how to plan ahead with confidence.
Many homeowners get quotes early, as it's the easiest way to get a clearer idea of what's involved and realistic for their home and budget. You don't need to be ready to start work to explore your options.
Get free quotes from driveway companies near you using MyJobQuote. It's quick, easy, and there's no obligation to go ahead.
You'll find our full guide to driveway costs below.
£5,000
Table of Contents
How Much is a New Driveway?
The average cost of a new driveway in the UK ranges from £2,500 to £7,500 for a typical 60m² two-car driveway. The material chosen, the size of the area, and how much groundwork is needed before installation will impact the final cost.
Gravel and tarmac are usually the most affordable options, while concrete and block paving tend to cost more.
As a quick guide, here is what different driveway materials typically cost per square metre when fully installed, including average labour costs, basic groundwork, and standard materials:
| Driveway Material | Installed Cost per m² |
|---|---|
| Tarmac | £60 – £90 |
| Concrete | £85 – £130 |
| Gravel | £40 – £80 |
| Resin | £90 – £140 |
| Block Paving | £115 – £175 |
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New Driveway Prices
The size and type of driveway are key cost factors, as different materials, and larger areas, might also require more skilled labour and a longer time to install.
For reference, a single-car driveway is usually around 30m², a two-car drive around 60m², and a 90m² driveway is large enough for multiple cars.
Driveway Cost By Size and Type
| Driveway Type | 30m² | 60m² | 90m² |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tarmac | £1,300–£3,200 | £2,500–£5,000 | £4,000–£7,500 |
| Concrete | £2,500–£4,000 | £5,000–£7,500 | £7,500–£11,000 |
| Gravel | £1,200–£2,200 | £2,500–£4,200 | £3,800–£5,800 |
| Resin | £1,800–£3,000 | £3,500–£5,500 | £5,000–£8,000 |
| Block Paving | £2,500–£4,500 | £4,500–£7,400 | £6,500–£11,000 |
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Of course, there are other cost factors to consider, but you can use our calculator to get a more accurate estimate for your project below.
New Driveway Cost Calculator
Labour Cost of a New Driveway
Along with materials, labour is one of the biggest parts of the total cost when installing a new driveway. In many cases, labour makes up around 40% to 60% of the total project cost, depending on the material chosen and how much preparation the site needs.
On average, a driveway installation team charges between £250 and £450 per day. For larger projects, a team of two or three workers is common, so daily labour costs can quickly rise depending on the size of the driveway. In other words, you might expect to pay up to £900 for two days of labour, or more if the team is bigger.
Labour costs usually include excavation, ground preparation, laying the sub-base, compacting materials, installing edging, laying the chosen surface, and clearing waste from site — it's a lot more than simply laying the new driveway material.
For example, labour for a 30m² gravel driveway may cost around £600, while labour for a 60m² block paving driveway often costs around £2,000 or more because installation takes longer and requires more precision.
In most cases, homeowners do not buy the materials themselves, as installers usually supply them as part of the quote. However, some contractors may agree to fit materials you have sourced independently.
Typical Timescales for a New Driveway
The total installation time depends on the size of the driveway, the material chosen, and how much preparation is required before work starts. If extensive groundwork is required, expect to add a few days to the estimates below.
| Driveway Type | Typical Size | Estimated Timescale |
|---|---|---|
| Gravel | 30m² | 1 to 2 days |
| Tarmac | 30–60m² | 2 to 3 days |
| Concrete | 30–60m² | 2 to 4 days |
| Block Paving | 60m² | 4 to 6 days |
| Resin | 60m² | 3 to 5 days |
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Bad weather, drainage work, or waiting for materials can also extend these timescales. This is especially true for concrete and resin surfaces, which rely on suitable conditions (dry days and relavtively warm temperatures) for curing. It's best to plan this type of driveway installation for late spring or early autumn when conditions are most suitable, but not too hot.
Type of Driveways
There are various types of driveways to choose from. Let’s explore some of the best options in more detail, including pros, cons, and costs, so you can decide which one is right for your home.
Tarmac Driveway Cost
- Average cost per m² — £45 to £65 (supply only)
- Average cost for 60m² driveway — £2,500 to £5,000 (installed)
- Maintenance costs — £300 to £900 to reseal the driveway every 3 to 5 years
Starting with tarmac driveways, the average tarmac driveway cost is approximately £45 to £65 per m² in supply-only costs, making it a relatively cost-effective option.
Tarmac dries fairly fast and is easy to install, usually taking only one to two days to install. Other upsides include that it is easy to maintain (although you should review it every 5 years on average to determine if it needs any repair work) and long-lasting. As for its weather resistance, tarmac drives repel water extremely well and are one of the better options for dealing with cold weather.
As for the downsides, tarmac drives can be susceptible to weed growth as well as issues with algae and moss, and while designed to deal well with heat, tarmac driveways are vulnerable to UV light damage over time. Another potential concern is that oils, petrol and diesel can all damage tarmac drives. They cause the tarmac’s binder to weaken, which can leave cracks.
Pros
- ✔ Quick and easy to install
- ✔ Weather-resistant
Cons
- ✖ Prone to weed growth
- ✖ Oils can weaken the tarmac
Concrete Driveway Cost
- Average cost per m² — £60 to £90 (supply only)
- Average cost for 60m² driveway — £5,000 to £7,500 (installed)
- Maintenance costs — £280 to £900 to reseal the driveway every 3 to 5 years
Next, we have concrete drives. The average cost of materials in this case is likely to end up between £60 and £90 per m², so it's one of the more expensive options. Poor quality ground might also need to be dug out deeper, which can increase labour time and costs.
Concrete driveway installation costs usually pay off in the long run as these driveways are particularly durable, often lasting for 25–50 years. As they come in different colours and patterns, concrete drives may increase the curb appeal and value of your home more than many other driveway options.
Concrete drives can be more vulnerable to damage from cold weather than most types of driveways. Naturally, this means concrete drives can end up requiring more maintenance more often than other options. Also, concrete driveways cannot be simply topped up and must be replaced entirely when they are beyond economic repair.
Pros
- ✔ Long-lasting
- ✔ Custom styles offer high curb appeal
Cons
- ✖ Prone to cold weather damage
- ✖ Costly to replace
Gravel Driveway Cost
- Average cost per m² — £30 to £60 (supply only)
- Average cost for 60m² driveway — £2,500 to £4,200 (installed)
- Maintenance costs — £200 to £2,700 to replenish the stones every 1 to 3 years
Moving on to gravel driveways, the supply-only costs range widely between £30 to £60 per m². Depending where you live, you might find a company in your area able to create a gravel drive at the lower end of the scale, making it particularly low-cost when compared with most other types of driveways.
The key upsides of gravel drives include aesthetic value offered by its natural appearance, how permeable it is (which can prevent flooding), and the fact it’s easy to top up when needed. Gravel is one of the more DIY-friendly options for those with the right skills, knowledge and basic safety understanding. You don’t need to wait for it to settle once it’s been installed and can drive on it straightaway.
On the other hand, gravel driveways are difficult to clean, can be susceptible to weed growth, and gaps and holes may appear when gravel becomes displaced so they need regular raking and topping up. It's also difficult to clear snow from a gravel drive as you will inevitably end up removing gravel in the process. Therefore, you may simply want to add salt to the snow rather than physically removing it yourself.
Pros
- ✔ Easy to top up
- ✔ Less labour-intensive to install - ideal DIY driveway option
Cons
- ✖ Can be messy
- ✖ Difficult to maintain, especially in snowy and icy conditions
Resin Driveway Cost
- Average cost per m² — £50 to £85 per m² (supply only)
- Average cost for 60m² driveway — £3,500 to £5,500 (installed)
- Maintenance costs — £40 to £130 for professional cleaning every 3 years
Another popular type of driveway worth considering is a resin drive, which has a supply–only cost of around £50 to £85 per m². This is essentially a mid-range choice from a pricing point of view.
Resin driveways have quite a few benefits of their own. For one, they are super durable. A resin drive will be very hard-wearing and is well-suited to deal with temperature extremes, UV rays and even large weights (e.g. a relatively heavy car). Resin drives often last for 20-25 years, and as an added bonus, they are relatively low-maintenance. This type of driveway is also super versatile, easy on the eye and fairly eco-friendly.
However, resin-bound driveways are relatively difficult to repair if they get damaged. Their colour can also fade with time (if they lack UV-resistant capabilities), and they are susceptible to the growth of moss.
Pros
- ✔ Durable, especially when using UV-resistant resin
- ✔ Looks very stylish
Cons
- ✖ Repairs are expensive
- ✖ Can discolour if not UV-resistant
Block Paving Cost
- Average cost per m² - £20 to £125 per m² (supply only)
- Average cost for 60m² driveway - £4,500 to £7,500 (installed)
- Maintenance costs - £20 to £120 for professional cleaning once a year
Last but not least, block paving is an expensive choice with a material cost of up to £125 per m². Pricing can vary significantly depending on what type of block paving you wish to opt for. Concrete blocks cost about £20 to £50 per m², brick blocks are priced at around £30 to £65 per m², whereas pricing ends up between £65 and £95 per m² on average in the case of stone blocks. Lastly, composite blocks should cost around £90 to £125 per m².
The upsides of a block paving driveways include the wide range of designs and colours available and their capacity to visually enhance the front of your home. This is also a fairly low-maintenance and eco-friendly option.
As for the downsides, block paving generally takes quite a bit longer to install than other types of driveways, further driving up the overall costs.
Pros
- ✔ Huge range of designs to complement most homes
- ✔ May add more value to your property than other types of driveways
Cons
- ✖ One of the most expensive options
- ✖ Maintainance can be costly
Supply Only Costs of Driveway Materials By Type
To summarise, here is a comparison of supply-only cost of different driveway materials:
| Driveway Type | Supply Cost |
|---|---|
| Tarmac | £45 – £65 per m² |
| Concrete | £60 – £90 per m² |
| Gravel | £30 – £60 per m² |
| Resin | £50 – £85 per m² |
| Block Paving | £20 – £125 per m² |
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Additional Costs When Building A New Driveway
The material, size, and layout chosen affect your new driveway cost the most. However, exisiting site conditions and any extra features you need with your new driveway can also increase costs.
Site Preparation and Grading
Approximate cost — £750 to £1,500
It is essential that the site is well-prepared and graded properly to ensure a long-lasting, high-quality driveway.
Factors such as soil type and slope can influence the total price of having your driveway installed as some ground types need more work to make them stable before the driveway is laid. If the ground is uneven, trees need to be removed, or the soil doesn't allow for proper drainage, expect costs to be higher.
Removal of Existing Driveway
Approximate cost — £250 to £750
If you are installing a replacement driveway, the cost of having the existing driveway's materials recycled or disposed of will add to your budget. Gravel driveways are easier and cheaper to remove than concrete or tarmac driveways, which require specialist equipment to break them up.
It's essential to remove the old driveway before starting to build the new one, as leaving behind old materials can create issues with the new driveway.
Of course, even if you don’t have a current driveway, some other materials or land may need removing, which could also add to the project’s total cost.
Additional Features
Approximate cost — £300 to £1,200+
If you’d like to have extra features included alongside the installation, these can naturally add to your total bill.
Common additions include decorative borders, contrasting edging, drainage channels, steps, lighting, or custom patterns depending on the driveway material. Decorative edging alone often costs around £15 to £40 per linear metre, with premium finishes or complex layouts increasing the total further.
Installing Outdoor Lighting
Approximate cost — £200
Not only will adding external lights along your driveway help you see what you're doing after dark, but they can also work as a deterrent against any unwanted guests and potential intruders.
You can reduce the cost of installing outdoor lighting by choosing a more basic option and installing it yourself.
Installing a Driveway Gate
Approximate cost — £500 to £2,300
Another security option or one that can provide an extra layer of privacy is installing a driveway gate.
Costs vary depending on if you already have pillars for a new gate to be fitted to and the quality, design, and materials used in the new gate.
Dropping a Kerb
Approximate cost — £800 to £1,200
This is something to consider if you're laying a completely new driveway, as you may not already have seamless access to the road.
If this is the case, or you wish to amend your existing driveway, the cost of dropping a kerb can add significantly to overall costs as it also requires a certificate of approval from your local council.
Installing a Soakaway Drainage System
Approximate cost — £700 to £1,100
Installing an efficient drainage system can increase the average driveway cost considerably. While some driveways only need a slight slope to direct rainwater away, others require additional drainage to prevent standing water and reduce the risk of runoff onto public roads.
The cost to install a soakaway drain can be substantial as a lot of labour is involved. A soakaway system usually involves excavating a pit below ground, lining it with a membrane, filling it with drainage crates or gravel, and connecting it to a channel drain or pipe so rainwater can gradually soak into the ground.
Driveway Maintenance Costs
Maintenance costs can increase the overall costs of some types of driveways more than others. For example, gravel driveways need to be replenished regularly, whereas resin requires very little work to remain in good condition.
Here are some average maintenance costs for different driveways and jobs to help you plan your budget in the longer term:
| Job Description | Average Cost (incl. Labour and Supply Costs) |
|---|---|
| Clean and Seal a Tarmac Driveway | £300 to £900 |
| Clean and Seal a Concrete Driveway | £280 to £900 |
| Re-Grade or Replenish Gravel Driveway | £200 to £2,700 |
| Simple Cleaning of Gravel Driveway | £50 to £200 |
| Clean a Resin Driveway | £40 to £130 |
| Clean a Block Paving Driveway | £20 to £120 |
| Remove Weeds from Any Driveway | £75 to £120 |
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Checklist: Hiring Contractors for a New Driveway
When looking for a driveway installation company or professional, it’s important that you take time to consider who might be right for the job by requesting at least 3 separate quotes — this is where MyJobQuote can help find you the best tradesmen that are local to your area.
As well as comparing prices, consider the following points to help you hire a reliable and experienced professional:
- Do they have experience installing driveways? This helps ensure the job is done properly and to the standards you'd expect.
- Can they provide a portfolio or similar projects? Viewing previous work gives you confidence in their style and quality.
- Are they accredited or part of a trade association? Memberships and certifications show they meet industry standards. For example, organisations such as ANTSCA, Marshalls Register, Interlay, or the British Association of Landscape Industries (BALI) help ensure installers follow recognised industry standards.
- Do they hold relevant qualifications? (e.g. NVQ, City & Guilds) Relevant training shows they’re professionally qualified to do the job. Look for qualifications such as an NVQ Level 2 in Construction Operations, an NVQ Level 2 in Groundworks, or City & Guilds Construction Skills.
- Have you read their reviews or testimonials? Positive feedback is a good sign of reliability and customer satisfaction.
- Do they offer a written quote or contract?A clear contract helps avoid misunderstandings and ensures transparency.
- Is their communication professional and responsive? Good communication early on often reflects how they’ll handle the full project.
- Do they have public liability insurance? This protects you if accidental damage occurs to your property during the installation. Most reputable contractors carry insurance of at least £1 million.
- Do they offer a guarantee on their work? Many professional driveway installers offer guarantees of 5–10 years, giving you protection if issues such as cracking or sinking occur.
- Do they understand drainage and planning rules? Professional installers should be familiar with regulations such as Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDS) and local planning rules for non-permeable driveways.
- Have they provided a timeline for the work? When comparing quotes and proposals, ensure the contractor provides a clear expected timeline so you know what to expect at each stage of the project, including any potential delays.
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FAQs
What is the cheapest driveway material?
Tarmac is one of the least expensive types of driveway with an average material cost of £45 to £65 per m². However, gravel can turn out to be less expensive in some cases. It has a wide-ranging material cost estimate of between £30 and £60 per m², but maintaining it is usually more expensive than maintaining tarmac.
How long do driveways last?
In many cases, a driveway that is well looked after should last for between 15 and 20 years or even more.
Naturally, the durability and longevity of a given driveway will depend on factors like the material used. Concrete drives, for instance, are arguably the longest-lasting on average, with a general life expectancy of around 25 to 30 years.
Naturally, the durability and longevity of a given driveway will depend on factors like the material used. Concrete drives, for instance, are arguably the longest-lasting on average, with a general life expectancy of around 25 to 30 years.
Can I build a driveway myself?
It depends on the type of driveway you are planning to build. A gravel driveway generally makes an easier DIY option than a resin or block paved drive due to the complexity and experience required with these materials.
One of the main benefits of a DIY driveway project is that it could save you hundreds or thousands of pounds in labour fees. However, you may need to invest in buying or renting specialist equipment, and you must proceed with caution when handling heavy materials or operating equipment such as a cement mixer.
Some key safety points to consider for a DIY driveway project include:
- Protective Footwear – Wear steel-toe cap boots to prevent injury from heavy materials that could cause serious damage if dropped on your feet.
- Hand Protection – Use rubberised protective gloves to shield your hands from direct contact with potentially harmful substances.
- Protection for Eyes and Lungs – Always wear suitable eye protection and a particulate dust mask that complies with EN143 or EN149 standards, especially when mixing or handling dry materials.
- Clothing and Skin Protection – Use full work overalls to protect exposed skin. If you have any cuts or abrasions, contact with certain materials could lead to infection or skin irritation.
- Site Safety – Keep children, pets, and other household members away from the work area at all times, as they are particularly vulnerable to hazards such as airborne particles or active machinery.
If you're unsure about your skills or safety knowledge, it is usually best to hire a professional. Experienced tradespeople are more likely to deliver a durable, high-quality result and may also provide guarantees against defects.
How much does a 2 car driveway cost per m²?
A typical 2 car driveway is usually around 60m². The average installed cost works out at roughly £40 to £175 per m², depending on the material used. For a 60m² driveway, this means you can expect to pay around £2,400 to £10,500 in total, with gravel and tarmac usually being the cheaper options and concrete or block paving often costing more.
Does a driveway increase property value?
Yes, a driveway can increase your home's value by around 5% to 10% by boosting curb appeal and giving potential new owners a more secure place to park. In areas with limited on-street parking, returns are likely to be even higher. To increase value, block paving is a favourite for many homeowners as it is available in many colours and styles, so it looks excellent in front of almost any home.
Can I lay a new driveway over my existing one?
If you have a tarmac driveway, you can usually lay new tarmac over the existing layer. For other driveway types, it is recommended to remove the existing material first and starting afresh with the relevant groundwork to ensure your new driveway lasts for longer.
How can I reduce the cost of a new driveway?
You can save money on your new driveway by choosing cheaper materials, but bear in mind that the ongoing costs of maintaining the drive might not always be cheaper. If you have the skills, you can also do some of the prep work yourself to cut labour costs. Compare quotes from multiple providers to ensure you get the best value.
How can you estimate the cost of a new driveway?
You can find the average cost of a new driveway by measuring the area and multiplying the size by the material cost per square meter and factoring in daily labour rates of around £250 to £450 per day. Our driveway costs calculator above can give you a more accurate estimate.
Do you need planning permission for a new driveway?
Planning permission isn't required to have a driveway installed if it's made from permeable materials or if water can drain to a border area or lawn. However, if the surface area covered by the new driveway exceeds five square metres and is made of materials that don't allow for a natural drainage area, planning permission must be obtained as water can runoff onto public roads and present a flooding risk.
Do you need building regulations for a driveway?
You will not usually need building regulations approval before starting work on a new driveway, as long as any changes made do not make access to the property more difficult or inconvenient than it was before.
