What a tarmac driveway costs
Honest guide prices for tarmac driveways in Milton Keynes — a full rebuild, a plane and re-top, and when tarmac is not the cheapest answer.
Guide prices
Tarmac driveway prices in 2026
| What | Typical price |
|---|---|
| New tarmac drive, full rebuild, per m² | £90 – £130 |
| Typical two-car front drive (40–50m²) | £4,500 – £6,500 |
| Plane and re-top on a sound base, per m² | £45 – £70 |
| Block or sett border | add £40 – £70 per linear metre |
Updated October 2026. Guide prices for 2026 across Milton Keynes and the surrounding towns. They are honest ranges, not a quote — your fixed price comes in writing after the free visit, and it does not move once agreed.
What moves the price
What changes the figure
- Rebuild or resurface. The biggest single factor. A failed base has to come out and be rebuilt; a sound one can take a new surface.
- Size. Tarmac gets cheaper per square metre as the area grows, because the crew and the minimum load cost the same either way.
- Edges. A proper kerb or a block border stops the edges crumbling and lifts the look for little money.
- Drainage. Tarmac is not porous, so the falls and where the water goes have to be designed.
- Ironwork. Manhole and gully covers raised to the new level add time.
What should be in the quote
Check for these before you sign
- Whether it is a rebuild or a resurface, in writing
- The sub-base depth and material
- Binder and surface course thickness
- The edging detail
- Where the water goes
- One whole price, not a “from” figure
More on how we build them on our tarmac driveways page.
Questions
Things people ask about tarmac prices
How much does a tarmac driveway cost in Milton Keynes?
A new tarmac driveway on a properly rebuilt base typically costs £90 to £130 per square metre in Milton Keynes. A two-car front drive of around 40 to 50m² is usually £4,500 to £6,500. Larger areas come down in price per m².
Is it cheaper to resurface tarmac than replace it?
Yes, if the base underneath is sound. Planing off the top layer and laying a new wearing course costs far less than a full rebuild. If the drive has potholes that keep coming back or ruts where the cars sit, the base has failed and resurfacing will not last.
Why is tarmac expensive on a small drive?
Hot tarmac comes by the load and a surfacing crew costs the same for a morning whether the drive is 20m² or 60m². On drives under about 40m² block paving can work out cheaper, so we often price both.
Do I need planning permission for a tarmac drive?
Standard tarmac is not permeable, so over 5m² in a front garden the water must drain to a border, lawn or soakaway on your own land rather than the road. Designed that way, you generally do not need permission.
Free design, free visit, free samples
We measure up, talk it through and send a written proposal with the build-up, the programme and one whole price. No pressure and no follow-up sales calls.