Tar and chip vs tarmac: which suits your drive?
Tar and chip gives a natural gravel look at a lower cost per m² on larger areas, and suits rural and period settings; dense tarmac gives a smoother, more hard-wearing surface for turning, play and heavier use.
Look
Tar and chip shows the colour of the chippings, from silver granite to golden flint. Tarmac is smooth black or red.
Cost
As a 2026 guide, tar and chip with a new sub-base is about £45–£75 per m² including VAT against £60–£95 for a full tarmac build. The gap widens on long drives and lanes.
Durability
Tarmac is better where cars turn sharply on the spot or children play. Tar and chip can scuff on hot days early on and sheds some loose stones at first.
Lifespan
Tar and chip often lasts 8–15 years before re-dressing; a tarmac drive commonly 15–20 years.
Questions
Can I have tar and chip on top of tarmac?
Yes, it is a common way to give an old tarmac drive a new look.
Is tar and chip permeable?
No. It is a sealed surface, so plan the drainage as you would for tarmac.
Related services
Tar and chip driveways
Hot bitumen sprayed and dressed with rolled stone chippings for a gravel look that stays put.
FROM £45–£75 PER M² INC VATLearn more →
New tarmac driveways
Full dig-out, compacted stone sub-base, binder course and a fine surface course, edged and drained.
FROM £60–£95 PER M² INC VATLearn more →
Farm tracks and rural access
Tarmac or tar and chip on farm tracks, lanes and long rural drives, built for the vehicles that use them.
FROM £30–£55 PER M² EX VATLearn more →Get a written tarmac quote
Send a postcode and a rough size and we'll arrange a survey. Every quote lists the layers, edging, drainage and VAT.
- Surface courseDEPTH + MIX
- Binder courseDEPTH + MIX
- Sub-baseDEPTH + MATERIAL
- Edges, drainage, VATITEMISED