Block Paving vs Resin vs Tarmac vs Gravel: Best Driveway

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The short version

Gravel is the cheapest and most permeable option, but it scatters and is awkward for wheelchairs and pushchairs.
Block paving looks smart and is easy to repair, though weeds can appear in the joints and it can sink if poorly laid.
Resin-bound is smooth and low-maintenance, and most resin-bound systems are permeable (check with the installer), but it costs more and needs a sound base underneath.
In England, more than 5 square metres of non-permeable paving over a front garden needs planning permission unless the water drains to a lawn or border.

A driveway is a long-term decision, so it is worth matching the material to your budget, the look you want and how much upkeep you will tolerate. Here is how the main options compare.

Prices and specs last checked by Look Into on 5 November 2026 · next check 4 February 2027 · how we picked

Gravel

Gravel is the cheapest to lay, drains freely and gives that reassuring crunch underfoot. It is a sensible budget choice and easy to top up.

The catch: stones migrate onto paths and into borders, weeds find their way through without a good membrane, and it is hard work for wheelchairs, pushchairs and bicycles.

Block paving

Block paving looks neat, comes in many colours and patterns, and has a useful advantage: if a section stains or sinks, you can lift and relay individual blocks rather than redo the lot.

The catch: weeds and moss can colonise the joints, and a poorly prepared base lets blocks dip and rut over time. The quality of the groundwork matters more than the blocks themselves.

Resin-bound

Resin-bound gravel gives a smooth, joint-free finish that is permeable and low-maintenance, with no loose stones to wander. It is comfortable to walk and wheel across, which makes it a strong all-rounder.

The catch: it costs more than the alternatives and is only as good as the base it sits on. A weak or damp base can cause it to fail, so installation quality is everything.

Tarmac and concrete

Tarmac is quick to lay, hard-wearing and easy on the budget, though it can soften in very hot weather and the look is plain. Concrete is durable and reasonably priced but can crack over time and is hard to patch invisibly.

A note on planning permission

In England, you need planning permission to cover more than 5 square metres of a front garden with a hard surface that does not let water drain through, unless the rainwater runs to a lawn or border (GOV.UK, read 5 November 2026). Permeable surfaces, or ones that drain to a border or soakaway, generally avoid this. Check with your council before committing. For costs and value, see our home improvement cost report and which improvements add the most value.

FAQ

What is the cheapest driveway material?

Gravel is usually the cheapest to install and drains well, but it needs occasional topping up and is not ideal for wheels. Tarmac is the next most affordable for a solid surface.

Do I need planning permission for a driveway?

You need it in England if you lay more than 5 square metres of non-permeable surface over a front garden and the water does not drain to a lawn, border or soakaway. Permeable surfaces or ones draining to a soakaway usually do not. Confirm with your local council.

Which driveway lasts longest?

Well-laid block paving and resin-bound surfaces are long-lasting and repairable. The base preparation matters as much as the surface, so a good installer is the key to longevity.