How much does a new driveway cost?
A new driveway in the UK typically costs between about £45 and £120 per m² installed in 2026, depending on the surface. For an average 60 m² drive that is roughly £3,500 to £6,500. Groundwork, size and drainage move the price as much as the material does.
Driveway prices per m² by surface
These are national figures from published 2026 price guides, not our price list. They give you a sense of the range before anyone visits.
| Surface | Installed, per m² | Typical 60 m² drive |
|---|---|---|
| Resin bound | £60 to £120 | £3,500 to £5,500 |
| Block paving | £50 to £120 | £5,000 to £6,500 |
| Tarmac | £45 to £100 | around £3,750 |
| Gravel | usually the lowest | depends on grid and edging |
Sources: MyJobQuote cost guides for resin, block paving and tarmac (2026), and Oltco's 2026 resin guide (£70 to £120 per m²).
What is in the price
A driveway quote should cover every stage, not just the surface. Ours list each one separately:
- Breaking out the old surface and taking it away
- Dig out to the depth your ground needs
- Membrane and sub-base, laid and compacted in layers
- Edging or kerbs, set in concrete
- Drainage: channel drains, gullies or a soakaway where needed
- The surface: resin, blocks, tarmac or gravel
- Waste and muck away: grab lorry or skips
When you compare quotes, check each of these is included. A low price per m² often means a thinner base or no edging, and those are the things that make a drive fail.
What pushes the price up or down
- Size. Larger drives cost less per m², because the fixed costs are spread further.
- The ground. Soft clay needs a deeper sub-base. Chalk with flint is slow to dig. Sandy ground is quick to dig but needs strong edging.
- The old surface. A sound base that can stay saves a lot. Breaking out concrete costs more than lifting gravel.
- Drainage. A non-permeable drive over 5 m² at the front needs water to go somewhere, which may mean a channel drain and soakaway.
- Access. Narrow access with no room for a lorry means more barrowing and more labour.
- Finish. Borders, curves, inlays, steps and premium stone blends add time and material.
Also budget for a dropped kerb if you need one. That is a separate application to your council, with its own fee.
How to get an accurate price
Per m² figures only go so far. The quickest way to a real number is a site visit, where we measure, check the levels and look at what is under the current surface. It is free, and the written quote shows every stage. Book a visit.
Driveway cost questions
What is the cheapest driveway?
Why are smaller driveways dearer per m²?
Is it cheaper to lay resin over my old drive?
Does a new driveway add value to a house?
Want an exact price for your drive?
Book a free site visit. We measure up, talk through materials and send you a written, itemised quote.