How much asphalt do I need?
Tons = length (ft) × width (ft) × thickness (ft) × 145 ÷ 2,000
Compacted hot mix asphalt weighs about 145 lb per cubic foot, which is close to 2 tons per cubic yard. Paving crews often use the shortcut of 110 lb per square yard per inch of thickness, which gives the same answer. A 30 × 12 ft driveway at 3 inches is 90 cubic feet, about 6.5 tons before extra.
Asphalt thickness by project
| Project | Compacted asphalt | Base underneath |
|---|---|---|
| Residential driveway | 2 to 3 in | 6 to 8 in compacted gravel |
| Driveway with heavy trucks or RVs | 3 to 4 in | 8 to 12 in compacted gravel |
| Walking path | 2 in | 4 in compacted gravel |
| Overlay on sound old asphalt | 1.5 to 2 in | Existing pavement |
Coverage of one ton
| Thickness | Area per ton |
|---|---|
| 1.5 in | about 110 sq ft |
| 2 in | about 80 sq ft |
| 3 in | about 55 sq ft |
| 4 in | about 40 sq ft |
Typical depths and coverage for asphalt
How deep to lay asphalt depends on the job, so treat these depths as common starting points and defer to your plans or the product label. Coverage is how much ground one cubic yard of asphalt, or one ton, spreads at that depth.
| Project | Depth | 1 cubic yard covers | 1 ton covers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thin overlay | 1.5 in | 216 sq ft | 110 sq ft |
| Residential driveway | 2 in | 162 sq ft | 83 sq ft |
| Driveway, heavier use | 3 in | 108 sq ft | 55 sq ft |
| Parking lot | 3 in | 108 sq ft | 55 sq ft |
| Heavy-duty lot or road | 4 in | 81 sq ft | 41 sq ft |
Three worked asphalt jobs
Each job below adds 10% to the asphalt volume for settling and spills, and converts to tons at 1.9575 tons per cubic yard.
| Job | Size | Cubic yards | With 10% extra | Tons to order |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Short driveway | 30 × 10 ft at 2 in | 1.85 | 2.04 | 4.0 |
| Standard driveway | 50 × 12 ft at 3 in | 5.56 | 6.11 | 12.0 |
| Small parking lot | 60 × 40 ft at 3 in | 22.22 | 24.44 | 47.9 |
Before you order asphalt
- Order by compacted thickness. Hot mix is placed thicker and rolled down, so the plant often asks for the finished depth.
- Hot mix cools fast, so it is delivered and laid the same day. Have the base prepared before the truck arrives.
- Many plants set a minimum load, so a small patch may cost per ton more than a driveway.
- Ask whether the quoted price per ton includes hauling and the roller.
Frequently asked questions
How many tons of asphalt do I need for a driveway?
A 12 × 50 ft driveway at 2 inches compacted needs about 7.3 tons, or about 7.6 tons with 5% extra.
How much does a ton of asphalt cover?
About 80 sq ft at 2 inches thick, or about 55 sq ft at 3 inches.
How much does a cubic yard of asphalt weigh?
About 2 tons compacted (145 lb per cubic foot × 27). Loose asphalt in the truck is lighter per yard until it is rolled.
Is asphalt sold by the ton or the yard?
By the ton. Plants weigh each truck, so convert your area and thickness to tons before you call.
How do I calculate tons of asphalt for a driveway?
Multiply length by width by compacted thickness in feet, then by 145 lb per cubic foot, and divide by 2,000. A 30 by 12 ft driveway 3 inches thick is 6.5 tons.
How thick should an asphalt driveway be?
Residential driveways are commonly 2 to 3 inches of compacted asphalt over a prepared stone base. Heavier traffic needs more. Ask a paver for the specification.
Reference charts
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