Tarmac driveways built to last 25 years, installed across Bristol, Bath & Somerset
Tarmac driveways that go the distance without the fuss
Tarmac is one of the hardest working surfaces you can put in front of a home. Laid properly over a compacted sub-base, it gives you a clean, seamless sweep of driveway that shrugs off daily traffic, frost, and Somerset rain for 20 to 25 years.
The difference between tarmac that lasts and tarmac that cracks is everything you cannot see: the excavation depth, the sub-base, and the grade of surface course. As driveway specialists rather than general builders, we get those foundations right first, then finish with crisp edges and borders that lift the whole frontage, from village semis to sweeping entrances in Lansdown and Sneyd Park.
What factors affect the cost?
- Condition of the existing base, or the need for a new one
- Driveway size, shape, curves, and slopes
- Depth of the binder and surface course specified
- Edging and border detailing
- Access for the paver, roller, and delivery wagons
How much does a tarmac driveway cost?
Tarmac is one of the most cost-effective driveway surfaces you can choose, which is why it remains the go-to for larger driveways and longer entrances. Every project is priced individually after a free site survey, because the honest answer depends on size, access, drainage, and the condition of what sits under your current surface.
Surface | Value for money | Lifespan | Low upkeep | Kerb appeal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Tarmac | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★☆☆ |
Resin-bound | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
Block paving | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★★ |
Gravel | ★★★★★ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★☆☆ |
- Driveway size, shape, and access for machinery
- Depth of excavation and sub-base your ground needs
- Drainage design and SuDS compliance
- Surface course choice: SMA, traditional, or tar and chip
- Edging, borders, and finishing details
Prefer to see it first? Preview surfaces on a photo of your own home with our free driveway visualiser.
Why choose Driveways Plus for your tarmac driveway?
We do not cut corners. Every tarmac driveway we install starts with proper excavation and a compacted MOT Type 1 sub-base, then a binder course and your chosen surface course laid hot, rolled, and finished with clean, straight edges. It is the same standard our sister company brings to commercial and highways work, applied to your home.
What we do:
- Full tarmac and asphalt driveway design and installation
- SMA and traditional surface courses in black or red
- Tar and chip finishes for period and rural properties
- Driveway extensions, resurfacing, and repairs
- Edging, borders, and drainage built in from the start
Fast installation
Built on real foundations
Tough and hardwearing
Smart, seamless looks
How we install tarmac driveways that last
We have installed more than 500 driveways across the South West, and the method never changes: get the ground right, then the surface looks after itself. Here is what happens when you book a tarmac driveway with us.
1. Free survey and design
We visit, measure, and talk through how you use the space: cars, turning, bin runs, and what you want the entrance to say about the house. You get a detailed written quote with no deposit to pay.
2. Excavation and groundworks
We excavate to the correct depth for your ground conditions, remove the old surface and spoil, and set falls so water drains away from the house rather than across it.
3. Compacted sub-base
MOT Type 1 stone laid and compacted in layers. This is the structural heart of the driveway and the step cut short by cheaper installers.
4. Binder and surface course
A binder course for strength, then your chosen surface course, SMA or traditional tarmac, laid hot and machine-rolled for a dense, even finish.
5. Edges, details, and handover
Block or stone borders, drainage channels where needed, and a full tidy-up. We walk the finished driveway with you before we leave.
Full regulatory compliance included:
- Planning and permitted development guidance for front gardens
- SuDS-compliant drainage design where required
- Fully insured teams and professional accreditations
- Waste carried and disposed of responsibly
Victorian frontage, reborn in SMA
Tarmac case study: Redland, Bristol
The Challenge:
A Victorian villa in Redland, Bristol with a tired, patched driveway. Years of small repairs had left an uneven surface that pooled water against the front steps.
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Cracking along the edges had spread, weeds had taken hold in the joints, and the levels no longer carried water away from the house. The owners wanted a clean, seamless finish that suited a period frontage without looking like a car park, and they wanted the drive usable again quickly rather than fenced off for weeks.
Our Solution:
A full-depth rebuild finished in stone mastic asphalt, edged with charcoal block paving to frame the frontage and hold the edges square.
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We took the drive back to a properly compacted stone sub-base and corrected the falls so water runs to the road rather than the house. A binder course went down first, then a stone mastic asphalt top course, rolled hot for a dense, closed surface that resists rutting and stays flexible through winter. The block paving border gives the tarmac a firm edge, stops the margins breaking away over time, and lifts the whole frontage.
The Outcome:
A flat, seamless entrance with no standing water, built to work for 20 to 25 years.
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The finish suits the house: dark, quiet, and understated against the red brick, with the block border doing the decorative work. Drainage was corrected as part of the build, so water leaves the surface instead of sitting against the steps. Upkeep comes down to keeping the edges clear and the surface swept.
Not sure if tarmac is the right surface for your home? That is exactly why the site visit is free and carries no obligation. We will look at your ground, your access, and your drainage, then tell you honestly what we would lay and why.
Is a tarmac driveway right for your home?
Tarmac suits most properties and budgets. It is the strongest choice where you have a larger area to cover, a slope, or a driveway that works hard every day. The seamless black finish reads clean and modern against rendered and brick homes, while a tar and chip finish or a block-paved border softens it beautifully for period properties in places like Bradford-on-Avon and the Chew Valley.
Worth knowing: because tarmac is not naturally permeable, front garden rules mean drainage needs designing in, which we handle as standard. Read our guide to SuDS-compliant driveways, or explore the best types of tarmac for driveways, written by our own team and ranking among the UK’s most-read tarmac guides.
- Larger driveways and long rural entrances
- Sloped plots and hardworking family driveways
- Homes wanting a clean, seamless modern look
- Projects where dependable value matters most
It may be less suitable if you want a decorative, multi-tone finish as the centrepiece of the frontage; block paving or resin usually wins there, and we will say so honestly at the survey.
Tarmac driveway installers across Bristol, Bath & Somerset
We lay tarmac driveways from our base in Paulton, roughly 20 minutes from both Bristol and Bath, so most of our work sits within a short drive and we can get to you quickly for a survey or a snag.
Areas we cover include:
- •Bath
- •Bristol
- •Clifton
- •Leigh Woods
- •Chew Magna
- •Saltford
- •Marksbury
- •Chilcompton
- •Bradford-on-Avon
- •Frome
- •Keynsham
- •High Littleton
- •Wells
- •Farrington Gurney
- •Clutton
- •Temple Cloud
- •Timsbury
- •Peasedown St John
- •Midsomer Norton
- •Radstock
- •Paulton
From Lansdown villas to village semis, every driveway is designed around the property in front of us, never a one-size template. Working in a particular town? See our dedicated pages on tarmac driveways in Bristol, driveways in Thornbury, and driveways in Weston-super-Mare.
Tarmac driveway FAQs
How long does a tarmac driveway last?
A properly installed tarmac driveway lasts 20 to 25 years. The lifespan is decided underground: correct excavation depth and a well-compacted sub-base matter far more than the surface itself, which is why we never skip the groundworks.
What is the best tarmac for a driveway?
For most homes, SMA (stone mastic asphalt) is the best tarmac for driveways: it is denser, more flexible, and more resistant to cracking than traditional open-graded tarmac. We lay both, and our free survey will tell you which suits your driveway and budget.
Can you tarmac over an existing driveway?
Sometimes. If the existing base is sound, a tarmac overlay or resurfacing can be a cost-effective refresh. If the base has failed, overlaying just recycles the old problems, so we always inspect before recommending either route.
Does a new tarmac driveway need planning permission?
Usually not. Tarmac is not permeable, so rules for front gardens over five square metres require drainage to a lawn, border, or soakaway rather than the road. We design SuDS-compliant drainage into every driveway as standard, in line with the government’s front garden surfacing guidance, so permission is rarely needed.
How soon can I park on a new tarmac driveway?
You can usually walk on a new tarmac driveway within hours and park on it after two to three days, a little longer in hot weather while the surface fully hardens. We confirm exact timings at handover.
How do I look after a tarmac driveway?
Very little is needed: sweep it, rinse off oil or fuel spills promptly, and avoid point loads like jacks or skip feet in hot weather. If you spot a stain, our guide to removing oil stains from driveways covers the safe methods.
Ready to upgrade your driveway?
Contact Driveways Plus today to arrange your free tarmac driveway survey anywhere in Bristol, Bath, or Somerset. Whether you know exactly what you want or you are still weighing up surfaces, we will give you straight answers, a clear design, and a written quote with no deposit to pay.