Driveways are priced by the square metre, so the area is the figure that matters. For a simple rectangle, measure the length and the width in metres and multiply them: a drive 6m long and 5m wide is 30m², about the size of a two-car drive. For odd shapes, split the area into rectangles and triangles, work each out and add them together.
Then note four things that change the price as much as the size: what is there now, whether it slopes, any manhole or drain covers, and where the rainwater goes. With those, the estimate you get should hold up when a specialist visits.
What you need
- A tape measure, ideally 10m or longer, or a measuring wheel.
- A notepad or your phone's calculator.
- A rough sketch of the front of the property.
Steps
- Sketch the drive from above. Draw the house, the pavement edge, the boundaries and the area you want surfaced. Include paths or a patio if they are part of the job.
- Split odd shapes into rectangles. Most driveways are one or two rectangles. An L-shaped drive is two rectangles. A drive with an angled edge is a rectangle plus a triangle.
- Measure the length of each rectangle. Usually from the back of the pavement to the house or garage, in metres.
- Measure the width of each rectangle. Side to side, at right angles to the length. If the width varies, measure at each end and use the average.
- Work out each area. Length × width. For a triangle, multiply the two short sides and halve the result. Write each figure on the sketch.
- Add them up. This is the total area in m². Round up to the nearest square metre.
- Measure the edges that need edging. The sides that do not meet a wall or the house. Edging is priced per metre.
- Note the existing surface. Grass, gravel, old tarmac, concrete, block paving or slabs. Digging out concrete costs more than digging out grass.
- Check the slope. Does the drive fall towards the house, towards the road, or to one side? A marble or a ball placed on the surface will show you which way water runs.
- Mark covers, drains and gullies. Manhole and inspection covers, gullies, stopcocks and meters all need to be raised, lowered or worked around.
- Note where water goes now. Does it pool anywhere, run towards the house, or go onto the pavement? At the front, a new drive over 5m² must be permeable or drain onto your own land. See the 5m² rule.
- Check access and the kerb. Can a small digger get in? Is the kerb already dropped? If not, see how to get a dropped kerb.
- Take photos. One from the road, one from the house looking out, and close-ups of covers, cracks and any low spots.
Worked examples
| Drive shape | Measurements | Area |
|---|---|---|
| Simple rectangle | 6m × 5m | 30m² |
| One-car drive | 5m × 3m | 15m² |
| L-shape | 6m × 3m, plus 4m × 3m | 18m² + 12m² = 30m² |
| Rectangle with an angled corner | 6m × 5m, plus a triangle 3m × 2m ÷ 2 | 30m² + 3m² = 33m² |
| Tapering drive | 8m long, 4m wide at one end, 6m at the other | 8 × 5 (average) = 40m² |
For curved edges, measure as if the curve were a straight line cutting through the middle of the bulge. It will be close enough for an estimate.
As a guide, a one-car drive is about 15m², two cars about 30m², three cars about 45m².
Turning your measurements into a price
Multiply the area by the rate for the surface you want, then add digging out, edging and any drainage. Indicative West Midlands prices, supply and fit, waste included:
| Surface | Per m², new | Two-car drive on grass (about 30m²) |
|---|---|---|
| Block paving | £90–£140 | £3,550–£5,730 |
| Resin-bound | £75–£115 | £3,100–£4,980 |
| Tarmac | £50–£80 | £2,350–£3,930 |
| Gravel | £35–£60 | £1,900–£3,330 |
| Resin over sound existing tarmac | £55–£80 | £2,200–£3,390 |
| Extra | Cost |
|---|---|
| Digging out grass | £10–£18 per m² |
| Digging out concrete | £20–£35 per m² |
| Digging out tarmac, block or slabs | £15–£25 per m² |
| Edging | £25–£45 per metre |
| Channel drain | £60–£100 per metre |
| Soakaway | £600–£1,200 |
New driveway surfaces start from about £1,500 however small. Drives over 100m², steep or stepped sites, and drives that can only be reached through the house get a free site visit rather than an instant range.
See the driveway cost per m² guide, and our pages on block paving, resin driveways, tarmac driveways and gravel driveways. The same method works for a patio or for driveway cleaning, which is priced by area too. If you are still choosing a surface, read block paving vs resin vs tarmac.
When you use our estimate, you enter the length and width, the surface and what is there now, and we pass your enquiry to one local specialist, who confirms a fixed price.
Common measuring mistakes
- Measuring to the kerb instead of the back of the pavement. The pavement is not yours to surface, unless a dropped kerb is part of the job.
- Using feet and inches. Convert to metres: 1 foot is about 0.3m. Square feet divided by 10.76 gives square metres.
- Forgetting the path to the front door or the strip beside the house, if you want those done too.
- Ignoring a slope towards the house. It changes the drainage design.
Questions
How do I calculate the area of my driveway?
Multiply length by width in metres for each rectangular part and add the results. For a triangle, multiply the two sides at the right angle and halve it. The total is the area in square metres.
How big is a two-car driveway?
Usually about 30m², for example 6m by 5m. Parking side by side needs a width of about 5m or more; parking one behind the other needs a length of about 10m or more.
Do I include the pavement in the measurement?
No. Measure from the back edge of the pavement. The footway belongs to the highway authority, and lowering the kerb is a separate council process.
Why does the installer need to know about manhole covers?
Covers have to be reset to the new surface level, or fitted with recessed trays so the paving runs over them. It is a small cost each, but it should be in the quote.
Does the slope of my drive matter for the price?
A gentle slope is normal and helps drainage. A steep or stepped drive needs more groundwork and sometimes retaining walls, so it is priced after a site visit.