How Much Does a Gravel Driveway Cost in 2026? (UK)
A gravel driveway in the UK costs roughly £40–£70 per m² supplied and laid in 2026 — about £1,800–£3,500 for a typical two-car drive (40–50 m²). The big cost drivers are sub-base depth, weed-membrane and edging, gravel grade, and whether the old surface needs digging out and carting away. Loose gravel is the cheapest hard-standing you can lay; resin-bound gravel costs roughly double but won't migrate or rut. This guide breaks down every line of the price and where you can safely save.
Gravel Driveway Cost by Size (2026)
Supplied and laid, including membrane, sub-base and edging on a standard ground-level drive.
Per-m² rule of thumb in 2026: loose gravel £40–£70/m², resin-bound gravel £75–£120/m².
Where the Money Goes
- Excavation & muck-away (£8–£18/m²). Digging out 150–200mm and skipping the spoil is the biggest hidden cost on a re-lay.
- MOT Type 1 sub-base (£10–£18/m²). A compacted stone base is what stops the gravel rutting and pot-holing — never skip it.
- Weed membrane & geotextile (£3–£6/m²). Cheap insurance against weeds and against the sub-base mixing into the gravel.
- Gravel/aggregate (£4–£9/m²). 20mm angular gravel locks together better than rounded pea shingle, which migrates.
- Edging restraint (£15–£35/linear m). Timber, steel or block edging keeps the gravel on the drive and off the lawn.
- Labour (£150–£250/day per person). A two-car drive is usually 2–3 days for a two-person crew.
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