PRICE GUIDE · GARDEN & OUTDOOR · 2026–2027
Tarmac & Asphalt Driveway cost in the UK
£40–£100 per m². Typically £50.
Expect £40–£100 per m² for a tarmac driveway in the UK, with roughly £50 the common figure when the old drive is dug out and relaid. Resurfacing a sound old drive costs least; a drive needing new kerbs, drainage and a deep sub-base, or one in the South East, costs the most.
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HOW MUCH IT COSTS
How much does a tarmac & asphalt driveway cost in the UK?
| Low end | £40 | resurfacing a sound drive outside the South East |
|---|---|---|
| Typical | £50 | what most people pay |
| High end | £100 | a full dig-out with new kerbs and drainage |
Locufy guide prices for 2026–2027. Updated 2026. A national range, not a quote — enter your town above for real prices from the gardeners and landscapers near you.
What moves the price
- Dig-out or overlay — a fresh tarmac layer on a sound drive costs far less than excavating and building a new base
- Depth of sub-base — soft ground under the driveway needs more hardcore and rolling before any tarmac goes down
- Driveway area — fixed costs like the roller, the crew and the hot-mix delivery weigh heavier on a small drive
- Edging and borders — block-paved edging, new kerbs and recessed manhole covers add labour to the tarmac price
- Drainage — a driveway that falls towards the house needs a channel drain or soakaway built in
- Region — tarmac contractors in London and the South East charge more per square metre than in the North
Domestic and garden services prices in the UK are up 24% over five years (ONS Consumer Price Inflation, Domestic services and household services, to 2026 August). Five years ago a typical tarmac & asphalt driveway would have cost about £55 — an estimate from today's guide price and that index, not a recorded price. Source: ONS MM23 D7E6 →
WHAT YOU GET
What a tarmac & asphalt driveway booking includes
Takes: One to two days for most domestic drives, or two to three where the old surface is dug out. Not included: Dropped kerbs, gates, block-paved borders beyond the edging and drainage connections are priced separately — see the related guides below.
WHAT PEOPLE BOOK
Common tarmac driveway jobs
KNOW THE PRICE? NOW SEE THE REAL ONES
Tarmac & Asphalt Driveway near you, with prices shown
The gardeners and landscapers that cover your area, nearest first, each with their price and one score from every review. No account needed to look.
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How to pay less
- Resurface a structurally sound tarmac driveway instead of paying for a full excavation
- Keep borders simple, as decorative block edging adds labour around the whole tarmac drive
- Ask whether a neighbour wants their driveway tarmacked the same week to share delivery and plant costs
Before you book
- Standard tarmac is not permeable, so a front driveway over five square metres needs drainage to a lawn or border, or planning permission
- Ask whether the tarmac price covers the base and wearing course, and how thick each layer will be
- Check how the new driveway will shed rainwater so it never runs towards the house
- If the drive crosses a pavement, apply to the council for a dropped kerb before the tarmac goes down
Tarmac & Asphalt Driveway cost: questions people ask
£40–£100 per m², with about £50 typical for a full dig-out and new surface. A simple resurface is cheaper; a deep base, new kerbs and drainage cost more.
Most drives take one or two days, and a full excavation adds a day or so. Keep cars off the fresh surface for a few days while it hardens.
It can. Ordinary tarmac does not let water through, so in England a front driveway over five square metres needs permission unless the water drains to a lawn or border, or a porous asphalt is used.
Usually, yes. Tarmac is among the cheapest hard driveway surfaces per square metre, though resin and block paving give more choice of colour and finish.
Dropped kerbs, gates, drainage connections to the sewer and extra decorative borders are normally priced on their own.
No — they are Locufy guide prices for the UK, worked out from published UK tarmac driveway cost guides as a national range. The real figure depends on your base, size and region.
MORE GUIDES