The Short Answer
On our estimates, a new tarmac driveway costs about £60 to £100 per m² dug out and laid on a new sub-base, so £3,000 to £5,000 for a 50m² drive. A new top layer over sound old tarmac is £25 to £45 per m². Laying takes two to three days.
Tarmac is the cheapest hard surface after gravel, and a well-maintained drive can last 15 to 20 years or more. Standard tarmac isn't permeable, so a front drive needs drainage. Never buy one from someone who knocks on your door.
Driveway cost calculator
Priced per square metre for a full new drive, plus the drainage and dropped kerb that quotes often leave out.
Estimated total
£4,150 to £7,000
| Tarmac, 50m², dug out with a new sub-base and edging | £3,000 to £5,000 |
| Skips or grab lorry for the dig-out | £450 to £700 |
| Drainage to keep rainwater on your land (soakaway or channel) | £700 to £1,300 |
Tarmac prices
| Job | 20m² | 50m² | 90m² |
|---|---|---|---|
| New drive with sub-base | £1,200 to £2,000 | £3,000 to £5,000 | £5,400 to £9,000 |
| Overlay on sound tarmac | £500 to £900 | £1,250 to £2,250 | £2,250 to £4,050 |
What to ask for
- The dig-out depth and sub-base thickness in writing: the government's guidance on paving front gardens describes about 200mm to 250mm of construction in all, over a geotextile membrane.
- A fall away from the house to a drain, border or soakaway.
- Porous asphalt if you want it permeable: the guidance says it should be supplied and laid by a specialist.
- A written quote and guarantee from a firm with an address you can check.
How long tarmac lasts
A well-maintained tarmac drive should last 15 to 20 years or more. The upkeep that matters: fill small cracks as soon as they appear, before frost gets into them, and keep weeds and moss off the edges, where they can lift the surface.
Doorstep tarmac offers
Planning and drainage
Standard tarmac isn't porous. In a front garden, more than 5m² must drain onto your own land or it needs planning permission. See driveway planning, and for refreshing an old drive, driveway resurfacing.
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Tarmac is priced by area and the state of the base.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does a tarmac driveway cost?
On our estimates, about £60 to £100 per m², so £3,000 to £5,000 for a 50m² two-car drive on a new sub-base.
Is it cheaper to tarmac or concrete a driveway?
Tarmac, usually: about £60 to £100 per m² against £75 to £120 for plain concrete, on our estimates.
What are the downsides of tarmac driveways?
Standard tarmac isn't permeable, so a front drive needs drainage; cracks need filling before winter; and weeds at the edges can lift it.
Can you lay tarmac yourself?
Small crack repairs, yes, with a repair kit. For a new drive I'd use a contractor, and porous asphalt should be laid by a specialist.
How long does a tarmac driveway last?
15 to 20 years or more if it's well maintained and cracks are filled early.
Can you lay tarmac over an old driveway?
Yes, if the old surface is sound and level: a new layer costs about £25 to £45 per m² on our estimates.
How we priced thisView sources (4, 4 official)
Rules come from the legislation and official guidance, read at source. Prices are our estimates: we check them against trade price data, retailer shelf prices and specialists' price lists, then build them up from their parts so the totals add up. Below are the sources behind the page; the trade price guides we only compare against aren’t listed. Where sources disagreed, we've said so. More on our method.
- OfficialThe Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015, Schedule 2 Part 1, legislation.gov.uk. Checked 16 Oct 2026.
- OfficialGuidance on the permeable surfacing of front gardens (September 2008), Department for Communities and Local Government (GOV.UK). Checked 15 Oct 2026.
- OfficialDoorstep callers (Trading Standards), Nottinghamshire County Council. Checked 15 Oct 2026.
- OfficialBefore you get work done on your home (England), Citizens Advice. Checked 15 Oct 2026.
