How much asphalt do I need?

Calculate volume: Length × Width × Thickness (all in feet), then divide by 27 for cubic yards. For tonnage: multiply cubic yards × density (1.5-2.0 tons/cuyd for hot mix). A 20×40ft driveway, 3 inches thick needs about 3.7 cubic yards or 5.5-7.4 tons of asphalt.

How much does an asphalt driveway cost?

Asphalt driveway costs $3-$7 per square foot installed, or $2,500-$10,000 for a typical 2-car driveway (600 sqft). New installation: $4-$7/sqft. Resurfacing/overlay: $2-$4/sqft. Seal coating: $0.15-$0.25/sqft. Commercial parking lots: $3-$5/sqft.

Asphalt Calculator - Tonnage, Driveway Cost & Paving Estimator

Asphalt Tonnage Calculator

Calculate how many tons of asphalt (hot mix) you need for any paving area.

Area Length (ft)

Area Width (ft)

Asphalt Thickness (in)

Asphalt Density

Waste Factor (%)

Asphalt Tonnage Results

ORDERING: Order 5-10% extra to account for compaction, subgrade variations and waste. Asphalt is sold by the ton — one ton covers about 80 sqft at 2" thickness or 54 sqft at 3". Minimum delivery is usually 2-3 tons.

Asphalt Driveway Calculator

Calculate asphalt and base materials for a new driveway or resurfacing.

Driveway Length (ft)

Driveway Width (ft)

Project Type

Asphalt Thickness (in)

Base Thickness (in)

Include Apron?

Include Turnaround?

Driveway Results

PRO TIP: New driveways need 4-8" compacted gravel base + 2-3" asphalt (residential). For heavy vehicles, increase to 4-6" asphalt on 8" base. Resurfacing only needs 1.5-2" overlay on existing asphalt. Always ensure proper drainage slope (1-2%).

Asphalt Overlay & Millings Calculator

Calculate materials for resurfacing, overlays or asphalt millings application.

Area Length (ft)

Area Width (ft)

Material

Thickness (in)

Waste Factor (%)

Tack Coat Needed?

Overlay / Millings Results

MILLINGS: Recycled asphalt millings cost 30-50% less than new hot mix. Great for driveways, parking areas and paths. Apply 3-4" thick and compact with roller. Will self-seal over time with heat. Not suitable for public roads (no binder).

Asphalt Cost Calculator

Estimate total paving costs including materials, labor, base prep and sealcoating.

Total Area (sq ft)

Project Type

Asphalt ($/ton)

Labor ($/sq ft)

Base Prep ($/sq ft)

Sealcoating?

Striping / Markings ($)

Old Surface Removal?

Asphalt Cost Estimate

SAVE MONEY: Pave in summer (asphalt plants busy but prices stable). Get 3+ quotes. Consider millings for non-traffic areas (40-60% cheaper). Sealcoat every 2-3 years to extend life by 5-10 years. Group with neighbors for volume discounts.

Asphalt Reference Guide

Coverage rates, thickness standards and material comparisons for paving projects.

Coverage Per Ton (Hot Mix Asphalt)

Thickness	Coverage (sqft/ton)	Tons/1000 sqft	Typical Use
1.5"	108 sqft	9.3	Thin overlay
2"	80 sqft	12.5	Resurfacing, overlay
3"	54 sqft	18.7	Residential driveway
4"	40 sqft	25.0	Heavy residential
6"	27 sqft	37.5	Commercial, parking

Asphalt vs Concrete Comparison

Factor	Asphalt	Concrete
Cost (installed)	$3-$7/sqft	$6-$12/sqft
Lifespan	15-20 years	25-50 years
Repair	Easy, cheap patching	Difficult, costly
Maintenance	Sealcoat every 2-3 yrs	Minimal
Install Time	1-2 days	3-7 days + curing
Climate	Better in cold/freeze	Better in heat
Resurfacing	$2-$4/sqft overlay	Full replacement

Recommended Thickness by Use

Application	Asphalt	Base	Total Depth
Walkway / Path	2"	4"	6"
Residential Driveway	2-3"	6-8"	8-11"
Heavy Driveway (RV)	4-6"	8-10"	12-16"
Parking Lot	3-4"	8-12"	11-16"
Commercial Road	4-8"	12-18"	16-26"

Asphalt Calculator Guide

Our asphalt calculator determines exactly how many tons of hot mix asphalt you need for your paving project. Enter dimensions and thickness to instantly calculate asphalt tonnage, cubic yards, and square footage coverage. Works for driveways, parking lots, roads, and commercial projects.

How to Calculate Asphalt Tonnage

The formula for calculating asphalt: Length (ft) × Width (ft) × Thickness (in) ÷ 12 ÷ 27 = cubic yards. Then multiply by asphalt density (145 lb/cuft or ~1.96 tons per cubic yard for hot mix). A 20×40ft driveway, 3" thick = 20 × 40 × 0.25 ÷ 27 × 1.96 = 14.5 tons.

Asphalt Driveway Cost

Asphalt driveway costs range from $3-$7 per square foot installed. A standard 2-car driveway (20×40ft = 800 sqft) costs $2,400-$5,600. Resurfacing an existing driveway costs $2-$4/sqft. Asphalt millings are the budget option at $1-$3/sqft.

Asphalt vs Concrete Driveway

Comparing asphalt vs concrete: Asphalt costs 40-60% less upfront ($3-$7/sqft vs $6-$12/sqft). Asphalt is better in cold climates — it flexes with freeze/thaw. Concrete lasts longer (25-50 vs 15-20 years) but can't be resurfaced. Asphalt is ready for use in 1-2 days vs 7 days for concrete.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a ton of asphalt cover?+

At 2" thick: 80 sqft per ton. At 3" thick: 54 sqft/ton. At 4" thick: 40 sqft/ton. Hot mix asphalt weighs approximately 145 lbs per cubic foot (3,915 lbs per cubic yard). Coverage depends on thickness and compaction rate.

How much does asphalt cost per ton?+

Hot mix asphalt: $80-$150 per ton (material only). With installation: $100-$200/ton. Cold patch: $15-$25 per 50lb bag. Recycled millings: $10-$30/ton (pickup) or $25-$50/ton delivered. Prices vary by region and season.

How thick should an asphalt driveway be?+

Residential: 2-3 inches of asphalt on 6-8" gravel base. Heavy vehicles (RV, truck): 4-6" on 8-10" base. Resurfacing: 1.5-2" overlay. Parking lots: 3-4" on 8-12" base. Always compact subgrade before laying base material.

How long does asphalt take to cure?+

Light traffic: 24-48 hours. Full weight vehicles: 3-5 days. Full cure: 6-12 months. Avoid parking in the same spot for 2 weeks. Don't turn wheels when stationary. Sealcoat after 6-12 months, then every 2-3 years.