Average Cost of a New Driveway Per m² in 2026 (UK)
Driveway quotes are almost always priced per square metre, which makes per-m² rates the fastest way to sanity-check what you have been quoted. In 2026 UK driveways run from £25/m² for gravel to £180/m² for premium resin-bound. This guide compares every common material on a like-for-like per-m² basis, shows what each rate should include, and flags the exclusions that turn a cheap quote into an expensive job.
Planning the work? Check what it usually costs, or work out your own estimate. The free quote form is at the top of this page.
What is the average driveway cost per m² in 2026?
Across all materials, the average UK driveway costs £70–£110 per m² fully installed in 2026. Gravel is the cheapest at £25–£60/m²; tarmac sits at £45–£75/m²; concrete at £60–£140/m² depending on finish; block paving at £80–£140/m²; and resin-bound at £90–£180/m².
A typical UK driveway is 40–50 m² (roughly two cars plus turning space), so most homeowners are comparing total jobs in the £2,500–£7,000 range, with premium resin installations reaching £9,000. For a full total-cost breakdown by material rather than per-m² rates, see our complete driveway cost guide.
Driveway cost per m² by material (UK 2026)
| Material | Cost per m² installed | 40 m² driveway | Expected lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gravel / loose aggregate | £25–£60 | £1,000–£2,400 | 10–20 years (with top-ups) |
| Tarmac / asphalt | £45–£75 | £1,800–£3,000 | 15–20 years |
| Concrete (plain / brushed) | £60–£100 | £2,400–£4,000 | 30–40 years |
| Concrete (pattern-imprinted) | £90–£140 | £3,600–£5,600 | 25–30 years |
| Block paving | £80–£140 | £3,200–£5,600 | 20–30 years |
| Resin-bound | £90–£180 | £3,600–£7,200 | 15–25 years |
Rates include excavation, sub-base, edging and installation. London and the South East run 20–35% above these figures; Scotland, the North East and Northern Ireland typically sit 10–20% below.
What a per-m² rate should — and shouldn't — include
The single biggest cause of driveway cost disputes is two quotes using the same per-m² headline rate while including completely different work. A genuine installed rate should cover the following:
| Element | Usually included? | If excluded, budget |
|---|---|---|
| Excavation to depth (150–250 mm) | Yes | — |
| Spoil removal & tipping fees | Often excluded | £250–£700 |
| MOT Type 1 sub-base | Yes | — |
| Edging / kerb restraint | Usually | £25–£45 per linear m |
| Drainage / ACO channel | Often excluded | £60–£120 per linear m |
| Dropped kerb / crossover | Never | £800–£2,500 (council) |
| Removal of existing surface | Sometimes | £15–£35/m² |
| Ground reinforcement (soft ground) | No | £10–£25/m² |
Drainage is the exclusion that catches most homeowners. Since 2008, a new driveway over 5 m² that drains to the public highway needs planning permission unless it is permeable or drains to a soakaway — so a quote with no drainage line item may not be a compliant job. See our permeable driveway planning rules guide.
Cheapest per m² is not cheapest per year
Comparing headline rates alone favours gravel, but dividing installed cost by expected lifespan tells a different story. On a 40 m² driveway:
| Material | Mid-range install (40 m²) | Typical life | Cost per year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gravel | £1,700 | 15 years | ~£113 |
| Tarmac | £2,400 | 18 years | ~£133 |
| Concrete (plain) | £3,200 | 35 years | ~£91 |
| Block paving | £4,400 | 25 years | ~£176 |
| Resin-bound | £5,400 | 20 years | ~£270 |
Plain concrete is the strongest pure cost-per-year performer; resin-bound and block paving are bought for appearance and kerb appeal rather than lowest whole-life cost. Gravel's figure assumes periodic top-ups, which most owners underestimate.
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Driveway Cost Per m² Questions (UK 2026)
Where these figures come from
- Planning Portal — paving your front garden
- gov.uk — dropped kerbs
- gov.uk — permeable surfacing guidance
- Interpave — concrete block paving association
- Which? — Trusted Traders
- Companies House — verifying a contractor
Links open in a new tab on external sites. We do not benefit commercially from any of these links; they are included to help readers verify claims and research further. If you spot a broken or outdated link, email info@bestbuilders.co.uk.