Asphalt Calculator
Estimate hot-mix asphalt tonnage for a driveway, path or parking pad from area and compacted thickness — with cost estimate and the aggregate base quantity to go under it.
2–3″ cars · 3–4″ heavy vehicles
Typical: $100–$200/ton at the plant
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Enter a price per ton to estimate cost.
You might also need:Concrete Calculator·Gravel Calculator
How asphalt tonnage is calculated
Compacted hot mix weighs ~145 lb per cubic foot (some mixes run 140–150). A 40 × 12 ft driveway at 3 inches compacted is 120 cubic feet — around 8.7 tons. Add 5% for handwork around edges, and remember the loose material delivered will look like more than the finished layer: it compacts by about a quarter.
Asphalt coverage per ton
| Compacted thickness | Coverage per ton |
|---|---|
| 1″ (overlay) | ~165 sq ft |
| 2″ | ~83 sq ft |
| 3″ | ~55 sq ft |
| 4″ | ~41 sq ft |
Don't skip the base
Asphalt is only as good as what's under it. The standard build-up is 6–8 inches of compacted crushed aggregate (road base / crusher run) below 2–3 inches of asphalt. The result panel above shows the base volume for a 6-inch layer — price it with ourgravel calculator, and if you're comparing surfaces, run the same driveway through the concrete calculator: concrete costs more upfront but typically lasts 2–3× longer between major repairs.
Frequently asked questions
How many tons of asphalt do I need per square foot?+
Compacted hot-mix asphalt weighs about 145 lb per cubic foot. At the common 3-inch compacted thickness, that is 36 lb per square foot — about 55 square feet per ton. A 600 sq ft driveway at 3 inches needs roughly 11 tons.
How thick should an asphalt driveway be?+
Residential driveways should have 2–3 inches of compacted asphalt over 6–8 inches of compacted aggregate base. For heavy vehicles like RVs, go to 3–4 inches of asphalt. Thickness quoted by contractors should always be the compacted (finished) figure.
How much does asphalt cost per ton?+
Hot-mix asphalt costs about $100–$200 per ton picked up at the plant, varying with oil prices and region. Installed prices run $3–$7 per square foot including base work, which covers material, labor and compaction equipment.
Does asphalt compact down when rolled?+
Yes — loose asphalt compacts by roughly 25%. If you spread 4 inches loose, you end up near 3 inches compacted. This calculator asks for the finished compacted thickness and includes the density difference automatically.
Can I lay asphalt myself?+
Small patches with cold-patch bags are DIY-friendly. Full driveways are not: hot mix arrives at 300°F and must be spread and rolled before it cools, which takes a crew and machinery. DIY prep (excavation and base) plus professional paving is the realistic money-saver.