In 40 seconds
A new tarmac driveway in the UK typically costs around £45–£80 per square metre installed, so a standard 50m² drive usually works out at roughly £2,500–£4,000 before extras like extra excavation, drainage or a longer access route. Overlaying a sound existing surface is lower in cost, often around £40–£55 per square metre. The two things that decide whether it lasts are out of sight: a properly compacted 100–150mm Type 1 sub-base and a solid edge restraint, without which tarmac ripples, sinks and ravels early. A well-laid drive normally lasts 15–20 years, and around 25 if resealed every few years. If your new or replacement surface is over 5m² and draining to the road, you'll usually need a permeable build-up or a soakaway to stay within permitted development. The honest answer is always a range, because it depends on your size, ground and access.
Most tarmac guidance is published by firms laying it, so the prices look tidy and the sub-base, edging and drainage rules get glossed over. The pages below give honest cost ranges, compare tarmac with resin fairly, explain the build-up that makes a drive last, and set out the planning and SUDS rules — before you take a single quote.