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How Much Tarmac Do I Need?
This free tarmac calculator works out exactly how much tarmac or asphalt you need for any surfacing project. Enter your area dimensions, select a project type to auto-fill the recommended depth, and get instant results in cubic metres, tonnes, hot-mix loads and cold-lay bags.
The calculator uses the formula: area × depth × density. Tarmac has a density of approximately 2,400 kg per cubic metre (2.4 tonnes/m³), which is denser than MOT Type 1 sub-base (2,100 kg/m³) because the bitumen binder fills the voids between the aggregate particles.
This calculator works for both hot-mix tarmac (professionally laid from an asphalt plant) and cold-lay tarmac (DIY bags from a builder’s merchant). The results show hot-mix in 8-tonne delivery loads and cold-lay in 25kg bags so you can plan either approach.
Need to calculate the sub-base underneath? Use our sub-base calculator to work out how much MOT Type 1 you need before laying tarmac. For other driveway surfaces, try the gravel calculator or concrete calculator.
Worked Examples
Single Driveway (3m × 6m)
A standard single driveway at 60mm tarmac depth:
- Area: 3 × 6 = 18 m²M
- Volume: 18 × 0.06 = 1.08 m³M
- Weight: 1.08 × 2,400 = 2,592 kg = 2.59 tonnesM
- Hot-mix loads: 1 load (minimum delivery is typically 1–2 tonnes)
- Cold-lay bags: 104 × 25kg bags (for DIY)M
- Materials cost: £270–£450
Garden Path (10m × 1m)
A garden path at 40mm tarmac depth:
- Area: 10 × 1 = 10 m²M
- Volume: 10 × 0.04 = 0.40 m³M
- Weight: 0.40 × 2,400 = 960 kg = 0.96 tonnesM
- Cold-lay bags: 39 × 25kg bagsM
- Materials cost: £150–£250
Car Park (20m × 10m)
A small car park at 80mm tarmac depth:
Tarmac Depth Guide by Project Type
The thickness of tarmac you need depends on the traffic the surface will carry. Professional tarmac driveways use two layers: a coarser binder course for strength and a finer wearing course for a smooth finish. Lighter-use surfaces can get away with a single layer.
| Project | Total Depth | Layers | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Driveway (cars) | 60mm | 25mm binder + 35mm wearing | Standard domestic specification |
| Path or patio | 40mm | Single layer wearing course | Foot traffic only |
| Car park | 80mm | 40mm binder + 40mm wearing | Multiple vehicles, turning traffic |
| Overlay / resurfacing | 25mm | Single thin wearing course | Over existing sound tarmac only |
| Heavy vehicles | 100–150mm | 60mm binder + 40–90mm wearing | Lorries, farm vehicles, industrial |
These depths assume a properly prepared sub-base underneath. Without a solid sub-base, even thick tarmac will crack and sink. Use our sub-base calculator to work out how much MOT Type 1 you need.
Tarmac vs Concrete vs Gravel
Tarmac, concrete or gravel for the driveway? It comes down to budget, how you want it to look, and how much upkeep you will do. Each surface has distinct advantages and drawbacks. Here is an honest comparison based on real UK project costs and longevity.
| Feature | Tarmac | Concrete | Gravel |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost per m² | £40–£80 | £60–£120 | £15–£40 |
| Lifespan | 15–25 years | 25–40 years | Indefinite (topped up) |
| Maintenance | Seal every 3–5 years | Virtually none | Rake and top up annually |
| Installation speed | 1–2 days | 2–5 days (+ curing) | Same day |
| Drainage | Impermeable | Impermeable | Permeable (no planning needed) |
| Appearance | Uniform black | Grey, can be coloured | Varied, natural look |
| DIY friendly? | No (hot-mix) | Small areas only | Yes |
Tarmac is a common driveway surface in the UK because it's a fair price for a surface that looks tidy and lasts. Concrete costs more upfront but lasts longer. Gravel is the cheapest option. Gravel and other permeable surfaces, such as porous asphalt and permeable block paving, do not need planning permission over 5m² in an English front garden.1 Calculate your gravel needs with our gravel calculator or concrete with our concrete calculator.
Tarmac vs Other Driveway Surfaces — Full UK Comparison
Beyond the three most common surfaces, block paving and resin-bound gravel are increasingly popular alternatives. Here is how all five options compare for a typical UK driveway project in 2026.
| Surface | Cost per m² | Lifespan | Maintenance | Key Advantage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tarmac | £40–£60 | 15–20 years | Seal every 3–5 years | Quick to lay, low maintenance |
| Block paving | £60–£100 | 25+ years | Re-sand joints every 2–3 years | Premium look, individual blocks replaceable |
| Gravel | £15–£30 | Indefinite (topped up) | Rake and top up annually | Cheapest option, naturally permeable |
| Concrete | £50–£85 | 25+ years | Virtually none | Extremely durable, can be coloured or stamped |
| Resin-bound | £60–£90 | 15–25 years | Jet wash annually | Premium finish, SUDS-compliant (permeable) |
Which should you choose? For most UK homeowners on a mid-range budget, tarmac offers the best value, with quick installation, a clean appearance and low ongoing costs. Block paving suits those wanting a more decorative finish and who are prepared to pay more upfront. Resin-bound is the best option if you want a premium permeable surface that avoids planning permission complications entirely. Gravel remains the budget choice, and you can calculate exactly how much you need with our gravel calculator. For concrete driveways, use our concrete calculator to work out quantities.
Hot Mix vs Cold Lay Tarmac
There are two different types of tarmac available, and choosing the wrong one for your project will lead to disappointing results.
Hot-Mix Tarmac (Professional Use)
Hot-mix tarmac is produced at an asphalt plant and delivered to site at temperatures between 140–180°C. You get 30–60 minutes to lay it and level it, and it needs compacting in that same window before it cools and hardens. Hot-mix produces a dense, durable surface that can last 15–25 years under normal traffic. This is what professional contractors use for driveways, roads, car parks and any surface that needs to carry vehicles.
Hot-mix requires specialist equipment: a paver or hand raking by an experienced team, followed by rolling with a vibrating roller.5 Most domestic orders are a minimum of 1–2 tonnes. The asphalt plant mixes the material to order, so you need to book a delivery slot in advance.
Cold-Lay Tarmac (DIY Repairs)
Cold-lay tarmac comes in 25kg bags from B&Q, Wickes or Toolstation, and from most builders’ merchants. It can be applied at any temperature and does not need heating. It is designed for small repairs such as filling potholes, patching edges, repairing cracks and topping up worn areas. Cold-lay is significantly more expensive per tonne than hot-mix and does not produce the same dense, hard-wearing finish. For the real numbers on both, see our tarmac cost per tonne guide.
Cold-lay tarmac is workable straight from the bag. Compact it firmly with a hand tamper or the back of a shovel, and it sets through a slow curing process over several weeks. It is not suitable for laying a full driveway, as it remains softer than hot-mix and can deform under heavy traffic in hot weather.
How Much Does a Tarmac Driveway Cost?
Tarmac driveway prices in the UK move with the size of the job, where you are in the country, and what the ground is like underneath. Here are realistic 2026 prices including labour and materials.
| Driveway Size | Area | Cost Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small single | 15–20 m² | £600–£1,600 | 1 car space + path |
| Standard single | 20–30 m² | £1,000–£2,400 | Most common size |
| Double | 30–50 m² | £1,500–£4,000 | 2 car spaces side by side |
| Large / L-shaped | 50–80 m² | £2,500–£6,400 | May need extra sub-base work |
These prices include excavation, sub-base preparation, binder course and wearing course. Costs are 20–30% higher in London and the South East. Additional costs may apply for skip hire (£250–£350), drainage work (£500+), and kerb or edging installation (£20–£40 per linear metre).
Materials Only vs Fully Installed
| Item | Materials Only | Fully Installed |
|---|---|---|
| Tarmac (per m²) | £15–£25 | £40–£80 |
| MOT Type 1 sub-base (per m²) | £5–£10 | Included |
| Cold-lay tarmac (per 25kg bag) | £8–£15 | N/A (DIY only) |
Money-saving tip: Always get at least three quotes from local contractors. Ask whether the price includes sub-base excavation and disposal, because some quotes exclude skip hire and you discover the extra cost after the work has started.
How Much Does Tarmac Cost in the UK? (2026 Prices)
Whether you are buying bags of cold-lay tarmac for a DIY repair or getting quotes for a professionally laid driveway, here is what you can expect to pay across the UK in 2026.
DIY Cold-Lay Tarmac Costs
Cold-lay tarmac is sold in 25kg bags at builders’ merchants and DIY stores. A single 25kg bag covers approximately 0.42m² at a 25mm depth, which is enough for a small pothole repair or edge patch. Expect to pay £8–£15 per bag from trade suppliers, or £12–£18 per bag at B&Q and Wickes. Premium cold-lay products with added polymer binders cost £15–£25 per bag but produce a harder, longer-lasting repair.
For a 1m² pothole repair at 50mm depth, you need roughly 5 bags (£40–£75). For a small path repair of 5m², budget for 10–12 bags (£80–£180). Cold-lay is cost-effective for repairs under 5m² but becomes prohibitively expensive for larger areas. At that point, hot-mix tarmac from a contractor is significantly cheaper per square metre.
Professional Hot-Lay Tarmac Costs
A professional tarmac contractor typically charges £40–£60 per m² for a standard driveway. That figure covers labour and materials. Plant hire is in there too. This price assumes a straightforward job with reasonable access and existing sub-base in acceptable condition.
For a full build including excavation, new sub-base (150mm MOT Type 1), 60mm binder course and 25mm wearing course,5 expect to pay £50–£80 per m² all-in. The exact price depends on your location, site access, ground conditions and the amount of excavated material that needs removing.
Typical Driveway Costs by Size
| Driveway Size | Approximate Area | Tarmac Only | Full Build (inc. Sub-Base) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small (1 car) | 20 m² | £800–£1,200 | £1,000–£1,600 |
| Medium (2 cars) | 40 m² | £1,600–£2,400 | £2,000–£3,200 |
| Large / L-shaped | 60 m² | £2,400–£3,600 | £3,000–£4,800 |
Regional price variation: Prices are typically 20–30% higher in London and the South East. Scotland and Wales tend to be at the lower end of these ranges, and so does the North of England. Access difficulty (narrow lanes, rear gardens, long distances from road to site) can add £5–£15 per m². If you need new sub-base work, use our sub-base calculator to estimate the additional aggregate quantity required.
DIY Tarmac: Can You Lay Your Own?
The honest answer depends on the scale of your project. Small repairs are straightforward DIY jobs. Full driveways are not.
What You Can DIY
Pothole repairs: Clean out the hole, apply cold-lay tarmac in 25mm layers, compact each layer firmly with a tamper. Cheap and easy, and it works.
Edge repairs: Where tarmac has crumbled at the edges, cut back to a clean line, apply cold-lay and compact. Consider installing an edging strip to prevent future deterioration.
Patching worn areas: Sweep clean, apply a tack coat (bitumen emulsion spray) to help the new material bond, then spread and compact cold-lay tarmac.
What Needs a Professional
Full driveways: Hot-mix tarmac must be spread and compacted within 30 minutes. A team of 3–4 people with a roller is the minimum for a domestic driveway. Timing the plant delivery against the spreading and rolling takes experience.
Binder course work: The lower layer needs to be laid to precise levels and falls to ensure drainage. Getting this wrong means standing water and premature failure.
Any area over 10m²: Cold-lay tarmac is not economical or practical at this scale. The per-tonne cost is 5–10 times higher than hot-mix, and the finished quality is noticeably inferior.
Sub-Base Requirements for Tarmac
Every tarmac surface needs a properly prepared sub-base. The sub-base does the structural work. It distributes the weight of traffic over a wide area and prevents the tarmac from cracking as the ground moves. Without it, even the best tarmac surface will fail within a few years.
| Surface Use | Sub-Base Depth | Material |
|---|---|---|
| Foot traffic (paths) | 100mm6 | MOT Type 1 |
| Car traffic (driveways) | 150mm1 | MOT Type 1 |
| Heavy vehicles (car parks) | 200–300mm | MOT Type 1 |
| Poor ground (clay, wet) | 250–300mm | MOT Type 1 + geotextile |
Use our MOT Type 1 calculator to work out exactly how much sub-base you need. The sub-base should always be compacted in layers of no more than 75mm at a time using a plate compactor.
Tarmac vs Asphalt — What’s the Difference?
In everyday UK conversation, “tarmac” and “asphalt” mean the same thing. But technically they are different materials with different histories.
Original tarmacadam (patented 1901) used coal tar (a byproduct of gas production) as the binder. Coal tar tarmac was the standard road surface throughout the 20th century. It was phased out in the 1980s because coal tar contains polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) which are carcinogenic.
Modern “tarmac” is actually bituminous asphalt. It uses bitumen (a byproduct of oil refining) as the binder instead of coal tar. Bitumen is safer to handle and produces a more durable surface. Every “tarmac” driveway laid in the UK since the 1990s is technically asphalt.
The word “tarmac” has stuck in British English as the generic term for any black road surface, just as “hoover” means any vacuum cleaner. For practical purposes, when your contractor says “tarmac” they mean bituminous asphalt, which is exactly what this calculator is designed for.
Planning Permission for Tarmac Driveways
Since 2008, planning rules in England require that new or replacement front-garden driveways over 5 square metres must either use a permeable surface or drain rainwater to a permeable area within your property.1 Standard tarmac is impermeable, so you have three options:
- Install drainage: Direct rainwater to a soakaway, lawn or planting bed on your property. Most contractors include this as standard.
- Use porous tarmac: A specialist open-graded asphalt that allows water to drain through. Can cost more but avoids the planning application.1
- Apply for planning permission: If you cannot provide on-site drainage, a householder planning application in England costs £272 or £548 from 1 April 2026, depending on the fee band; a driveway on its own usually falls in the £272 band.7 The legal time limit for a decision is 8 weeks.8
Driveways under 5m² are exempt regardless of surface type.1 Swapping old tarmac for new tarmac is not exempt just because it is like for like. The rule covers replacement driveways too, so over 5m² you still need to drain the water to a permeable area on your property or apply for permission.1 Check with your local planning authority if you are unsure.
Conservation Areas and Listed Buildings
If your property is in a conservation area, permitted development rights may be restricted.1 Some local authorities require planning permission for any change to the front elevation of a property in a conservation area, and that can include driveway surfaces. Listed buildings have even stricter rules: you may need listed building consent for any alteration to the curtilage, including replacing a driveway.
Article 4 directions can also remove permitted development rights in specific areas. If your property is in a conservation area, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) or a national park, contact your local planning authority before starting work. The planning portal at planningportal.co.uk has a free interactive guide that tells you whether your specific project needs permission based on your postcode and property type.
Back Garden Driveways and New Crossovers
If you are creating a brand new driveway where one does not currently exist, you will also need a dropped kerb (vehicle crossover) from the local highways authority.2 This is a separate application from planning permission and typically costs £800–£2,500 depending on your council. It can take 6–12 weeks to process. Driving over a standard kerb without a proper crossover is illegal,2 and it may also invalidate your home insurance.
How to Maintain a Tarmac Driveway
Tarmac driveways require very little maintenance, but a small amount of regular care significantly extends their lifespan.
Annual Maintenance
Sweep the surface regularly to prevent moss and weed growth in small cracks. Pull any weeds that appear at the edges before they establish roots deep enough to lift the tarmac. In autumn, clear fallen leaves promptly, as wet leaves left on tarmac through winter can cause staining and encourage moss.
Every 3–5 Years
Apply a tarmac restorer or sealer. This restores the black colour (UV light causes tarmac to fade to grey), fills micro-cracks and adds a protective layer against fuel spills and freeze-thaw damage. Most sealers are brush-on products that cost £25–£50 for a typical driveway.
Repairs
Fill cracks promptly with tarmac crack filler to prevent water getting underneath. Water under tarmac freezes in winter, expands and breaks the surface from below. Small potholes can be filled with cold-lay tarmac: clean out the hole, fill in 25mm layers, compact firmly.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much tarmac do I need for a driveway?
For a standard single driveway (3m × 6m) with a 60mm tarmac layer, you need approximately 2.59 tonnes. For a double driveway (5m × 6m), roughly 4.32 tonnes. Use the calculator above for your exact dimensions. Always add 10% for wastage.
How thick should tarmac be?
60mm for driveways (25mm binder + 35mm wearing course), 40mm for paths and patios (single layer), 80mm for car parks (40mm + 40mm), and 25mm minimum for overlaying existing tarmac. Heavy vehicle access may need 100–150mm.
How much does tarmac cost per square metre?
Professionally installed tarmac costs £40–£80 per square metre in the UK, including labour and materials. Materials only cost roughly £15–£25 per m². London and the South East are typically 20–30% more expensive.
Can I lay tarmac myself?
Small repairs (potholes, edge repairs, cracks) are straightforward DIY jobs using cold-lay tarmac from any builder’s merchant. Full driveways need hot-mix tarmac delivered from an asphalt plant at 160°C and laid by an experienced team with a roller within 30 minutes. For anything over 10m², hire a professional.
What sub-base do I need under tarmac?
A minimum of 150mm of compacted MOT Type 1 for driveways, 100mm for paths, or 200–300mm for heavy vehicles. On clay or waterlogged ground, add a geotextile membrane underneath. Use our sub-base calculator for exact quantities.
How long does tarmac last?
A well-laid tarmac driveway lasts 15–25 years. Sealing every 3–5 years, filling cracks promptly and ensuring good drainage all extend the lifespan. The sub-base quality is the biggest factor. Poor sub-base work leads to early tarmac failure.
Tarmac vs asphalt — what’s the difference?
In modern UK usage, they are the same thing. Original tarmacadam used coal tar as a binder but this was phased out in the 1980s. Today’s “tarmac” is actually bituminous asphalt using bitumen from oil refining. The terms are used interchangeably.
Do I need planning permission to tarmac my driveway?
If the driveway is in a front garden in England and over 5m², yes, unless the surface is permeable or rainwater drains to a permeable area on your property (e.g. a soakaway or lawn). Driveways under 5m² are exempt.1 Most contractors install drainage as standard to avoid the planning requirement.
How much does it cost to tarmac a driveway UK?
A typical single driveway (18–25m²) costs £720–£2,000 fully installed. A double driveway (30–50m²) costs £1,200–£4,000. Prices include the dig-out and sub-base, plus the binder and wearing courses. Always get three quotes from local contractors.
What is the best weather for laying tarmac?
Dry conditions above 5°C. The best months in the UK are April–May and September–October. Avoid rain (causes steam bubbles under the surface), frost (tarmac won’t bond to frozen ground) and strong wind (cools the tarmac too quickly). Summer is fine but book early: contractors are busiest April to September.
How many m² does a ton of tarmac cover?
One tonne of tarmac covers approximately 8–8.5 square metres at 50mm depth, or 13–14 square metres at 30mm depth. Tarmac (asphalt) has a density of approximately 2,300–2,400 kg per cubic metre when compacted. So 1 tonne = roughly 0.42 cubic metres. For a standard residential driveway at 50mm depth, budget 1 tonne per 8 square metres. Always add 10–15% extra for waste, edge trimming and compaction losses.
Is 2 inches of asphalt enough for a driveway?
Yes, 50mm (2 inches) of compacted tarmac is the standard depth for a residential driveway carrying cars only, provided it sits on a properly prepared sub-base of at least 100–150mm of compacted MOT Type 1. Without adequate sub-base, 2 inches of tarmac will crack and deform under vehicle weight within months. For heavier vehicles (campervans, delivery lorries, skip trucks), increase to 75–100mm (3–4 inches). The two-layer approach — 40mm base course plus 25mm wearing course — gives the best result for domestic driveways.
How much tarmac can be laid in a day?
A professional two-person team with a roller can typically lay 30–50 square metres of tarmac per day for a residential driveway, including preparation. Machine-laid tarmac (using a paver machine) covers 100–200+ square metres per day but is only cost-effective for larger areas like car parks and roads. For DIY hand-laying with bagged cold-lay tarmac, expect to manage 5–10 square metres per day. Hot-lay tarmac (delivered by truck) must be laid and compacted within 1–2 hours before it cools, so speed is essential.
How far will 1 ton of asphalt go?
One tonne of tarmac covers approximately 8–8.5 square metres at 50mm (2 inch) depth when compacted. At 25mm (1 inch) depth for resurfacing, it stretches to roughly 16–17 square metres. A standard single-width driveway (3m × 6m = 18m²) at 50mm depth needs approximately 2.16 tonnes of tarmac. Tarmac compacts by roughly 15–20% during rolling, so the laid depth before rolling needs to be greater than the finished depth. See the calculator above for exact quantities based on your measurements.
Is 4 inches thick enough for a driveway?
100mm (4 inches) of tarmac is more than adequate for any residential driveway and most light commercial use. Standard domestic driveways only need 50mm (2 inches) on a proper sub-base. You would only need 4 inches for driveways regularly used by heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) or where the sub-base is thinner than ideal. The total construction depth (sub-base + tarmac) matters more than tarmac thickness alone. A 150mm sub-base with 50mm tarmac outperforms 100mm tarmac on a weak sub-base every time.
How long do 2 inches of asphalt last?
A properly laid 50mm (2 inch) tarmac driveway on a sound sub-base typically lasts 15–25 years before needing resurfacing. Factors that shorten lifespan include: poor drainage (water undermines the sub-base), heavy vehicle use, tree root damage, fuel or oil spills (dissolve the binder), and insufficient sub-base depth. Extend the life by sealing any cracks promptly, keeping drains clear, and applying a tarmac restorer/sealer every 3–5 years. When the surface becomes heavily cracked or potholed, it can often be resurfaced with a new 25mm wearing course rather than full replacement.
Is it cheaper to block paving or tarmac?
Tarmac is significantly cheaper. A standard tarmac driveway costs approximately £40–70 per square metre installed, while block paving costs £70–120 per square metre. For a typical 30m² driveway, tarmac runs £1,200–2,100 versus £2,100–3,600 for block paving. However, block paving lasts longer (25–50 years vs 15–25 years), is easier to repair (replace individual blocks), and generally adds more value to a property. Tarmac wins on budget. Block paving lasts longer and looks better, and it adds more to the house price. Resin-bound gravel sits between the two at £50–90 per m².
What is the new driveway rule in the UK?
Since 2008, any new or replacement front-garden driveway in England over 5 square metres that uses impermeable surfacing requires planning permission. Standard tarmac is impermeable, so a tarmac driveway over 5m² technically needs permission unless you install drainage to direct rainwater to a permeable area (lawn, garden bed, soakaway) within your property.1 Permeable tarmac (porous asphalt) exists but is rare for domestic use. Most installers handle the drainage requirement by incorporating a channel drain or soakaway at the driveway edge. Check with your local council as some areas have additional requirements.
How many m³ is 1 ton of tarmac?
One tonne of compacted tarmac (asphalt) is approximately 0.42 cubic metres. Tarmac has a compacted density of roughly 2,300–2,400 kg per cubic metre, so 1,000kg divided by 2,400 = 0.42m³. Before compaction (loose), the same tonne occupies roughly 0.5 cubic metres as the material is less dense until rolled. This density is much higher than most garden materials — for comparison, 1 tonne of topsoil is 0.83m³ and 1 tonne of gravel is 0.6–0.7m³.
Tarmac Products: Where to Buy
Whether you are filling a pothole or planning a full driveway project, here are the tools and materials we recommend for tarmac work in 2026.
| Product | Size | Best For | Where to Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cold-Lay Tarmac (Instant Macadam) | 25kg bags | Pothole repairs, patches, edges | Travis Perkins |
| Tarmac Restorer & Sealer | 5–25L | Recolouring and sealing existing driveways | Homebase |
| Tarmac Crack Filler | 1–5L tubes | Filling cracks before they widen | Homebase |
| Hand Tamper / Compactor | — | Compacting cold-lay tarmac repairs | Machine Mart |
| Weed Killer for Drives | 1–5L | Clearing weeds before resurfacing | Homebase |
| Plate Compactor (Hire) | — | Compacting sub-base before tarmac | Machine Mart |
| MOT Type 1 Sub-Base | 25kg / Bulk | Foundation layer under tarmac | Travis Perkins |
Affiliate links: GardenCalc may earn a commission if you buy through the partner links on this page, at no extra cost to you.
Choosing Tarmac: A Buyer's Checklist
Tarmac is cheap to buy and expensive to get wrong. The bag or the quote is the easy part. Here is what actually decides whether it lasts, with the materials we point readers to underneath.
- Bagged cold-lay is for repairs, not a whole driveway. The 25kg bags work straight from the bag and are ideal for potholes and patching, edges included, but they are a slow-curing repair material meant for small or temporary jobs, whereas a full driveway is laid hot and rolled by a contractor.3
- Budget for the sub-base, not just the tarmac. Tarmac is only as strong as the compacted MOT Type 1 underneath it; government guidance puts a typical drive at around 150mm of sub-base laid over a geotextile membrane,1 and a thin surface over a poor base is the main reason drives fail.3
- Add an edge restraint. A bedded kerb or edging is essential for a tarmac drive because it holds the surface in place and stops the unsupported edges breaking away under traffic.4
- Check the drainage rule before you lay (England). Since 2008, an impermeable driveway over 5m² that drains to the road needs planning permission in England; you stay exempt by draining the water to a permeable area (a lawn, border or soakaway) on your own property.21 Scotland and Wales have their own rules, and so does Northern Ireland.
- Work out the quantity first. Use the calculator above for the tarmac tonnage and our MOT Type 1 sub-base calculator for the base, so you order the right amount of each at the right depth.
Where to Buy — Tarmac & Edging UK 2026
The materials we point readers to for tarmac work, all from Travis Perkins and matched to the checklist above. These are affiliate links, and they support GardenCalc at no extra cost to you.
- Cold-Lay Tarmac — Travis Perkins: 25kg bags of cold-lay macadam you can work straight from the bag for filling potholes and patching up edges. A slow-curing material for small or temporary jobs, not a full driveway surface.3
- Driveway Edging — Travis Perkins: Concrete edging kerbs and restraint blocks. A bedded edge restraint is essential on a tarmac drive: it stops the edges crumbling and spreading once traffic starts using it.4
- MOT Type 1 Sub-Base — Travis Perkins: The compacted foundation layer that carries the load under tarmac. Government guidance puts a typical drive at around 150mm of it, laid over a geotextile membrane.1
Affiliate disclosure: the Travis Perkins links above are affiliate links and help fund GardenCalc, at no extra cost to you. We only point to products that match the buyer's checklist above.
Sources and checking notes
Checked by Gary Hodson on 16 September 2026. The sources below cover the MPA layer specification for private drives and paths, which this page does not yet match, the front-garden planning rule in England, the planning fee and the decision time limit.
- Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government — Guidance on the permeable surfacing of front gardens (© Crown copyright, Open Government Licence v3.0). gov.uk. Accessed 27 June 2026. Checked again 16 September 2026: “From 1 October 2008 the permitted development rights (see Glossary) that allow householders to pave their front garden with hardstanding without planning permission have changed”; “You will not need planning permission if a new or replacement driveway of any size uses permeable (or porous) surfacing, such as gravel, permeable concrete block paving or porous asphalt, or if the rainwater is directed to a lawn or border to drain naturally. If the surface to be covered is more than 5 square metres planning permission will be needed for laying traditional, impermeable driveways that do not provide for the water to run to a permeable area.”; “About 150mm of sub-base is laid over the geotextile and compacted before the final surfacing is placed.”; “If you live in a Conservation Area, a World Heritage Site, a National Park, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty or the Norfolk or Suffolk Broads, you will need to apply for planning permission for certain types of work which do not need an application in other areas.”; and on porous surfaces, “Can be more expensive than other options” and “especially porous asphalt which should be provided and laid by a specialist company”. The guidance covers front gardens in England only. Before 16 September 2026 this page said swapping tarmac for tarmac of the same area was generally exempt. The guidance names replacement driveways, so that is corrected. ↩
- Planning Portal — Paving your front garden: planning permission. planningportal.co.uk. Accessed 27 June 2026. Checked again 16 September 2026: “A dropped kerb is a lowered sloping access point in the pavement and is required if you wish to drive over a pavement onto your property, it is illegal to do so without one. You will have to make a dropped kerb application to your local authority if you wish to drop a kerb.” Before 16 September 2026 this page called driving over a kerb a council offence. The source says illegal, so that is corrected. It says nothing on crossover cost, waiting time or insurance. ↩
- Pavingexpert (Tony McCormack) — Tarmacadam, Bitmac and Asphalt. pavingexpert.com. Accessed 27 June 2026. ↩
- Pavingexpert (Tony McCormack) — Concrete Bedded Edgings & Kerbs. pavingexpert.com. Accessed 27 June 2026. ↩
- Mineral Products Association, Asphalt Information Service — Asphalt Applications 1: Construction and surfacing of parking areas including private drives (November 2009). mineralproducts.org (PDF). Checked 16 September 2026: “Where asphalts are hand-spread in areas such as private drives and small car parks where the normal mechanical road paver is unable to operate more workable materials are necessary.” and “Compaction should be undertaken with a minimum six-tonne deadweight roller or an equivalent vibrating roller.” On names: “Surface course was previously known as wearing course”. Table 1, under “Light usage eg. private drives, small office car parks”, lists a surface course of 25mm or 30mm over a 60mm AC 20 binder course, on a base of 150mm hardcore. For the sub-base it says: “Suitable materials are Types 1 and 2 unbound mixtures”. The sheet gives no prices. ↩
- Mineral Products Association, Asphalt Information Service — Asphalt Applications 11: Construction and surfacing of footways and cycleways using asphalt (November 2009). mineralproducts.org (PDF). Checked 16 September 2026: Figure 2a, the “Pedestrian-only” category, shows a surface course “(25mm thickness)”, a base or binder course “(50mm thickness)” and a sub-base “(100mm thickness)”. It is written for public footways. We use it for the path row of the sub-base table only. ↩
- Planning Portal — A guide to fees for Planning Applications in England (England, 1 April 2026). planningportal.co.uk (PDF). Checked 16 September 2026: “These fees apply from 1 April 2026.” Under Householder Applications, “Enlargement, improvement or other alteration of an existing single dwellinghouse (excluding flats)” is £548, and “The carrying out of operations (including the erection of a building) within the boundary of an existing dwellinghouse, for purposes ancillary to the enjoyment of it” is £272. Before 16 September 2026 this page said £258. That is corrected. ↩
- Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government — Determining a planning application (Planning Practice Guidance). gov.uk. Checked 16 September 2026: “They are 13 weeks for applications for major development, 10 weeks for applications for technical details consent, and (from 1 August 2021) applications for public service infrastructure development, and 8 weeks for all other types of development”. Before 16 September 2026 this page said an application typically takes 8 weeks. Eight weeks is the legal limit, not a typical wait, so the wording now says that. ↩
M: GardenCalc’s own arithmetic, not an external source. The worked examples multiply area by depth, then by 2,400 kg per cubic metre, the density the calculator assumes. Bags are the weight divided by 25kg, rounded up. Each sum was checked again on 16 September 2026.
Left uncited on purpose: The 2,400 kg per cubic metre density and the 2,100 figure for MOT Type 1. Tarmac’s own data sheets blocked our check, and we found no free trade body page that states them. The hot-mix delivery heat, the 160°C figure and the 30-minute working time. BS 594987 sets laying temperatures and it is not free to read. The layer splits in the depth table and the FAQ (25mm plus 35mm, 40mm plus 40mm, a 40mm single layer for paths, 50mm as a standard drive). The MPA private drives sheet shows a 60mm binder course under a 25mm or 30mm surface course, so these do not match it and are flagged for review. The line that every tarmac surface needs a sub-base, and the 200mm to 300mm figures for heavy use and clay. The MPA sheet says light-vehicle areas often need no sub-base and asks for at least 75mm on clay. Every price, cost range, lifespan, sealing interval, laying rate, bag coverage, crossover cost and weather rule on this page. Those are GardenCalc estimates, not figures from a source we checked. The 1901 patent date and the 1980s end of coal tar, which we have not checked against a primary record. The minimum hot-mix order of 1 to 2 tonnes and the 6 to 12 weeks to process a dropped kerb application.
Last updated by Gary Hodson, GardenCalc.