Residential driveways: 2-3", commercial: 3-4", parking lots: 4-6"
Asphalt Estimate
Estimated Total Cost
$795 – $1,600
9.00 tons of hot mix asphalt (hma)
12,800+ estimates calculated this month
Last updated: 2026-02-18
How Much Asphalt Do I Need?
Multiply Length x Width x Thickness (all in feet), divide by 27 to get cubic yards, then multiply by 2.025 to convert to tons. Hot mix asphalt weighs about 145 lbs per cubic foot, or roughly 2 tons per cubic yard. Order 5-10% extra to cover compaction loss and edge waste.
Inputs you'll need
- Length and width of the paving area (feet)
- Desired compacted thickness (inches)
- Asphalt type (hot mix, warm mix, recycled millings, or cold patch)
- Local price per ton and delivery fee (optional, for cost estimate)
Recommended asphalt thickness by application
| Application | Compacted Thickness | Gravel Base Needed |
|---|---|---|
| Residential driveway | 2-3 inches | 6-8 inches compacted |
| Commercial driveway | 3-4 inches | 8-12 inches compacted |
| Parking lot | 4-6 inches | 8-12 inches compacted |
| Overlay / resurfacing | 1.5-2 inches | Existing pavement serves as base |
| Walking path | 2 inches | 4-6 inches compacted |
| Farm / utility road | 3-4 inches | 6-10 inches compacted |
Asphalt cost per ton by type (2026)
| Asphalt Type | Cost Per Ton | Weight Per Cubic Yard | Best Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA) | $80-$150 | ~2.025 tons | Driveways, roads, parking lots |
| Warm Mix Asphalt (WMA) | $85-$155 | ~2.0 tons | Paving in cooler temperatures |
| Recycled Millings (RAP) | $10-$40 | ~1.6 tons | Budget driveways, base layer |
| Cold Patch / Cold Mix | $50-$100 | ~1.75 tons | Pothole repair, small patches |
Delivery typically adds $75-$250 per load depending on distance from the asphalt plant. Hot mix must be delivered and laid quickly (within 30-60 minutes) before it cools below working temperature. Planning a gravel base under your asphalt? Use the gravel calculator to estimate base material.
Worked examples
Example A (residential driveway): 40 ft long x 12 ft wide, 3 inches thick, hot mix
- Volume = 40 x 12 x (3/12) = 120 cu ft
- Cubic yards = 120 / 27 = 4.44 cy
- Tons = 4.44 x 2.025 = 9.0 tons
- With 10% overage = 9.9 tons (order 10 tons)
- Cost at $100/ton + $150 delivery = $1,150 (material + delivery only)
Example B (parking lot): 60 ft x 40 ft, 4 inches thick, hot mix
- Volume = 60 x 40 x (4/12) = 800 cu ft
- Cubic yards = 800 / 27 = 29.63 cy
- Tons = 29.63 x 2.025 = 60.0 tons
- Cost at $90/ton + $250 delivery = $5,650 (material + delivery only)
Example C (budget driveway with millings): 30 ft x 10 ft, 3 inches thick, recycled millings
- Volume = 30 x 10 x (3/12) = 75 cu ft
- Cubic yards = 75 / 27 = 2.78 cy
- Tons = 2.78 x 1.6 = 4.4 tons
- Cost at $25/ton + $100 delivery = $210
Need to calculate the gravel base under your asphalt? The gravel calculator handles base material quantities. For concrete alternatives, try the concrete calculator. Estimating the full driveway project including labor? The construction cost estimator covers material, labor, and overhead.
Pro tips from the field
- Temperature matters. Hot mix asphalt should be placed when air temperature is 50F or above. Below that, the asphalt cools too quickly and won't compact properly. Spring and fall are the busiest paving seasons.
- Get the base right first. 90% of asphalt failures trace back to a bad base. Spend the time and money on proper grading, compaction, and drainage before any asphalt goes down.
- Compaction is everything. Under-compacted asphalt will ravel and crack within a year or two. A steel drum roller or vibratory roller is essential. You cannot hand-compact a driveway with a plate tamper.
- Seal coat after curing. Wait 6-12 months after paving, then apply a seal coat. Repeat every 3-5 years. Seal coating keeps water and UV from breaking down the binder and adds 5-10 years to the surface life.
- Order hot mix early in the day. Most asphalt plants close by mid-afternoon. Schedule delivery early so you have full daylight to place, grade, and compact before the material cools.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Paving over a bad base. If the subgrade is soft, wet, or not properly compacted, the asphalt will crack and heave no matter how thick you lay it. Fix the base before paving.
- Going too thin. Skimping on thickness saves money today but costs more in the long run. Asphalt thinner than 2 inches will crack under vehicle loads within a few years.
- Paving in cold or wet weather. Rain and cold temperatures prevent proper compaction. If the forecast shows rain, reschedule. Laying asphalt on a wet base traps moisture and causes failures.
- Skipping edge containment. Without a solid edge (curb, gravel shoulder, or compacted berm), asphalt edges will crumble and break off under tire pressure.
- Not accounting for drainage. Asphalt needs a minimum 1-2% slope for water runoff. Standing water accelerates deterioration and leads to potholes.
Asphalt Paving Cost & Tonnage Guide
Asphalt costs per ton, thickness recommendations, and weight conversion factors for every paving application.
How Much Does Asphalt Cost Per Ton in 2026?
Hot mix asphalt costs $80-$150 per ton delivered, depending on mix design, supplier, and region.
- Hot mix asphalt (HMA): $80-$150/ton (standard paving)
- Warm mix asphalt (WMA): $85-$155/ton (lower-temperature alternative)
- Recycled asphalt millings (RAP): $10-$40/ton (budget driveways, base layer)
- Cold patch / cold mix: $50-$100/ton (repairs and small patches)
One ton of hot mix asphalt covers approximately 80 sq ft at 2 inches thick or 54 sq ft at 3 inches thick. Minimum delivery is typically 2-3 tons from most plants.
Key Takeaways
- Hot mix asphalt: $80-$150/ton
- Recycled millings: $10-$40/ton
- 1 ton covers ~80 sq ft at 2" thick
How Thick Should an Asphalt Driveway Be?
A residential asphalt driveway should be 2-3 inches of compacted asphalt over a 6-8 inch compacted gravel base.
- Residential driveways: 2-3 inches compacted (light vehicle traffic)
- Commercial driveways: 3-4 inches compacted (heavier loads, delivery trucks)
- Parking lots: 4-6 inches compacted (frequent traffic, turning movements)
- Overlay / resurfacing: 1.5-2 inches over existing pavement
- Base course: 2-3 inches of binder mix under the surface course
Always specify compacted thickness, not loose. Asphalt compacts roughly 25% from loose to final, so 3 inches compacted requires about 4 inches of loose material.
Key Takeaways
- Residential driveways: 2-3 inches compacted
- Commercial: 3-4 inches compacted
- Asphalt compacts ~25% from loose to final
Asphalt Weight: How Many Tons Per Cubic Yard?
Hot mix asphalt weighs approximately 2.025 tons (4,050 lbs) per cubic yard, or about 145 lbs per cubic foot.
- Hot mix asphalt (HMA): ~2.025 tons per cubic yard
- Warm mix asphalt (WMA): ~2.0 tons per cubic yard
- Recycled asphalt millings: ~1.6 tons per cubic yard (less dense due to air voids)
- Cold patch: ~1.75 tons per cubic yard
Asphalt is significantly heavier than gravel (~1.4 tons/cy) or soil (~1.1 tons/cy). A standard tandem dump truck can carry 15-22 tons of asphalt per load.
Key Takeaways
- HMA: ~2.025 tons per cubic yard (145 lbs/cu ft)
- Recycled millings: ~1.6 tons per cubic yard
- Dump truck capacity: 15-22 tons per load
Asphalt vs. Concrete Driveway: Cost Comparison
Asphalt driveways cost $3-$7 per square foot installed, while concrete runs $6-$12 per square foot. Asphalt is typically 40-50% cheaper upfront.
- Asphalt installed: $3-$7/sq ft ($2,400-$5,600 for a 20x40 ft driveway)
- Concrete installed: $6-$12/sq ft ($4,800-$9,600 for the same driveway)
- Asphalt lifespan: 15-20 years with seal coating every 3-5 years
- Concrete lifespan: 25-30+ years with minimal maintenance
- Repair cost: Asphalt patches are cheaper ($2-$4/sq ft) vs. concrete ($5-$10/sq ft)
Asphalt wins on upfront cost and repair ease. Concrete wins on longevity and maintenance. Climate matters too: asphalt handles freeze-thaw better, but softens in extreme heat.
Key Takeaways
- Asphalt: $3-$7/sq ft installed
- Concrete: $6-$12/sq ft installed
- Asphalt lifespan: 15-20 years
How to Use This Calculator
Select your asphalt type
Choose from hot mix asphalt (HMA), warm mix, recycled asphalt millings, or cold patch. Each type has a different weight per cubic yard that affects tonnage.
Enter your area dimensions
Input the length and width of the paving area in feet. For driveways, measure the full length and width. For irregularly shaped lots, break them into rectangles and run each section separately.
Set the asphalt thickness
Enter the compacted thickness in inches. Residential driveways typically need 2-3 inches, commercial driveways 3-4 inches, and parking lots 4-6 inches.
Review tons and cost estimate
See cubic yards, tons, and estimated cost including optional delivery. Order asphalt by the ton from your local plant. Most plants require a minimum of 2-3 tons per delivery.
Asphalt Tonnage Formulas
Cubic Yards = (Length x Width x Thickness/12) / 27
Tons = Cubic Yards x Weight Factor
Cost = Tons x Price per Ton + DeliveryWhere:
- Length, Width
- = Paving area dimensions in feet
- Thickness
- = Compacted asphalt depth in inches (divided by 12 to convert to feet)
- Weight Factor
- = 1.6-2.025 tons/cy depending on asphalt type
- 27
- = Cubic feet per cubic yard (3 x 3 x 3)
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many tons of asphalt do I need for a driveway?
Calculate the volume first: (Length x Width x Depth in feet) / 27 to get cubic yards, then multiply by 2.025 for hot mix asphalt. A typical 12 x 40 ft driveway at 3 inches thick needs: (12 x 40 x 0.25) / 27 x 2.025 = 9 tons. Always add 5-10% for waste and compaction overage.
How much does a ton of asphalt cost?
Hot mix asphalt costs $80-$150 per ton from the plant, depending on mix design and region. Recycled asphalt millings run $10-$40 per ton, making them a budget-friendly option for driveways. Cold patch is $50-$100 per ton. Delivery adds $75-$250 per load depending on distance from the plant.
How thick should an asphalt driveway be?
A residential asphalt driveway should be 2-3 inches of compacted asphalt over a 6-8 inch compacted gravel base. Commercial driveways and areas with heavy vehicles (delivery trucks, RVs) should be 3-4 inches. Parking lots typically need 4-6 inches. Always measure compacted thickness, not loose - asphalt compacts about 25% during rolling.
How much area does a ton of asphalt cover?
One ton of hot mix asphalt covers approximately 80 sq ft at 2 inches thick, 54 sq ft at 3 inches, or 40 sq ft at 4 inches. Recycled asphalt millings cover more area per ton (about 100 sq ft at 2 inches) because they are less dense. Coverage depends on compaction, so order 5-10% extra.
How many tons of asphalt fit in a dump truck?
A standard single-axle dump truck holds 8-12 tons of asphalt. A tandem-axle truck holds 15-22 tons. A tri-axle can carry up to 25 tons. Asphalt is heavier than gravel, so trucks carry fewer cubic yards but roughly the same tonnage. Most paving jobs use tandem loads for efficiency.
What is the difference between hot mix and cold mix asphalt?
Hot mix asphalt (HMA) is mixed at 300-350F at a plant and must be laid while hot. It produces the strongest, most durable pavement and is standard for driveways, roads, and parking lots. Cold mix is pre-mixed asphalt that can be applied at ambient temperature. It is designed for patching potholes and small repairs, not full paving. Cold mix is weaker and not suitable as a permanent surface layer.
Can I use recycled asphalt millings for a driveway?
Yes, recycled asphalt millings work well for budget driveways. They cost $10-$40 per ton compared to $80-$150 for hot mix. Millings compact reasonably well and self-bind over time as the residual tar softens in warm weather. Apply 3-4 inches deep and compact with a roller. The downsides: millings produce a rougher surface, may track black residue initially, and do not last as long as fresh hot mix asphalt.
How much does it cost to pave an asphalt driveway?
A complete asphalt driveway costs $3-$7 per square foot installed, including base prep, grading, and paving. A typical 12 x 40 ft driveway (480 sq ft) runs $1,400-$3,400 total. Costs vary by region, site conditions, and whether you need gravel base work. Resurfacing an existing driveway with a 1.5-2 inch overlay costs less at $2-$4 per square foot.
How long does asphalt last before it needs replacing?
A properly installed asphalt driveway lasts 15-20 years with regular maintenance. Seal coat every 3-5 years ($0.15-$0.25/sq ft), fill cracks promptly, and keep heavy vehicles off edges. Without seal coating, asphalt oxidizes and cracks within 5-7 years. In cold climates, freeze-thaw cycles accelerate cracking. You can extend life with an overlay (1.5-2 inches of new asphalt) before a full replacement is needed.
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