Driveway Surfaces Compared: Costs, Pros and Cons
Last updated: September 2026
A new driveway is one of the bigger jobs most homeowners take on. The surface you choose affects the cost, the look, how much upkeep it needs, and whether you need planning permission. Here's how the main options compare.
At a glance
| Surface | Typical installed cost | Lifespan | Upkeep | Permeable? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gravel | Usually the cheapest | 10+ years with top-ups | Raking and topping up | Yes |
| Tarmac | About £45–£80 per m² | 15–20 years | Low | No (unless porous) |
| Resin-bound | About £60–£120 per m² | 15–20 years | Low | Yes, on a permeable base |
| Block paving | About £80–£120 per m² | 20+ years | Weeds and sand joints | Only permeable blocks |
| Concrete / imprinted | Varies widely | 20+ years | Resealing imprinted | No |
Prices are for professional installation in 2026 and vary by region, access, the size of the job and how much digging and sub-base is needed. Always get at least three quotes.
Gravel
Gravel is the cheapest and quickest option and a good DIY job. It drains naturally, so it usually doesn't need planning permission, and it's noisy underfoot, which some people like for security. The downsides are stones migrating onto lawns and the road, ruts where you park, and weeds without a good membrane. A driveway needs around 150mm of compacted MOT Type 1 under 50–75mm of 20mm angular gravel. Gravel grids help stop it moving.
Tarmac
Tarmac is hard-wearing, relatively cheap for large areas and quick to lay, though it's a job for professionals. Standard black tarmac can look plain, but a block-paved border smartens it up. Coloured tarmac costs more. Ordinary tarmac isn't permeable, so check the planning rules below.
Resin-bound
Resin-bound driveways are small stones mixed with clear resin and trowelled smooth. They're permeable, have no loose stones and come in lots of colours. They need a sound, stable base – usually tarmac or concrete. If your old driveway has to come up, budget for a new base as well. See our resin-bound guide for more detail.
Block paving
Block paving is the UK's most popular driveway surface. It's versatile, and individual blocks can be lifted and relaid if you need to repair a patch or get to a drain. Upkeep includes topping up the kiln-dried sand in the joints and dealing with weeds. Most problems come from a poorly compacted sub-base, not the blocks themselves.
Concrete
Plain concrete is strong and long-lasting but can crack if the base or joints aren't right. Pattern-imprinted concrete gives the look of stone or cobbles in one slab, but repairs are hard to match, and it needs resealing every few years to keep its colour.
Do I need planning permission?
In England, if you're laying a new or replacement driveway in a front garden that's bigger than 5m², you need planning permission unless the surface is permeable or rainwater drains to a lawn, border or soakaway on your property. Gravel, resin-bound on a permeable base, and permeable block paving usually meet this. Standard tarmac and concrete usually don't, unless water runs off into a permeable area. Rules are different in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, and in conservation areas – check with your council. If you also need to lower the kerb, that's a separate application (see our dropped kerb guide).
Frequently asked questions
What is the cheapest driveway surface?
Gravel is usually the cheapest, especially if you do it yourself.
What's the most low-maintenance driveway?
Tarmac and resin-bound need the least day-to-day work. Block paving and gravel need more attention.
How deep should a driveway sub-base be?
Usually 150mm of compacted MOT Type 1 for cars, and more on soft or clay ground.
Which driveway adds the most value?
A well-laid, tidy driveway in any material adds kerb appeal. Block paving and resin-bound are popular with buyers, but quality of installation matters more than material.