Calculate Your Project
Project Diagram
Total Volume
—Cubic Yards
Enter dimensions above
Estimated Weight
—Tons
Based on Asphalt density (2.05 t/yd³)
Free Asphalt Calculator
Pave with precision.
Calculate the volume and precise tonnage of hot mix asphalt required for your paving project.
Asphalt Coverage per Ton (by Depth)
| 1 inch thick | 160 sq ft per ton |
| 2 inches thick | 80 sq ft per ton |
| 3 inches thick | 53 sq ft per ton |
| 4 inches thick | 40 sq ft per ton |
Asphalt Reference Guide
Asphalt Density & Weight Reference
| Measurement System | Total Volume | Estimated Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Imperial (US) | 1 Cubic Yards | 2.05 Tons (4,100 lbs) |
| Metric (EU) | 1 m³ | 2.68 Tonnes (2,681 kg) |
* Note: Exact weight can vary based on moisture content and compaction.
Asphalt Costs in 2026 (Estimates)
| Hot mix asphalt at the plant (per ton) | $90 – $150 |
| Material only, 20×40 ft driveway (about 15.2 tons) | $1,370 – $2,280 |
| Installed asphalt driveway (per sq ft) | $5 – $10 |
| 20×40 ft driveway installed (800 sq ft) | $4,000 – $8,000 |
| Resurfacing overlay (per sq ft) | $3 – $6 |
Prices are 2026 US averages. Actual costs vary by region and supplier.
Asphalt Types Compared
| Hot Mix Asphalt | Mixed at the plant at over 300°F and laid hot. The standard surface for new driveways, parking lots, and roads, and the only type that gives a smooth, structural pavement. $90 – $150 per ton at the plant |
| Cold Patch | Bagged mix that works straight from the bag with no heating. Made for potholes and small repairs, not full driveways, and most patches last 1 to 3 years. About $12 – $20 per 50 lb bag (estimate) |
| Recycled Asphalt Millings | Ground-up reclaimed pavement, sold loose. Spread and compacted, it forms a firm, dust-free surface for rural driveways and parking areas at a fraction of hot mix cost. About $15 – $30 per ton (estimate) |
| Porous Asphalt | Open-graded mix that lets rain drain straight through into a stone reservoir below. Used where stormwater rules restrict runoff, and quoted installed only. Typically priced above standard hot mix (estimate) |
Yields based on manufacturer specifications. Always check the yield printed on your bag.
Recommended Depths for Asphalt
| Project / Use Case | Recommended Depth |
|---|---|
| Residential Driveways | 2–3 inches |
| Resurfacing Overlay (over sound asphalt) | 1.5–2 inches |
| Commercial Parking Lots | 3–4 inches |
| Heavy Duty Roads | 4–6+ inches |
| Gravel Base Under Asphalt | 6–8 inches (compacted) |
How to Calculate Asphalt Volume
Most landscaping suppliers sell asphalt by the cubic yard. To convert your project area to cubic yards, use this formula:
Volume (cu yd) = (Length × Width × Depth) ÷ 27
Our calculator also multiplies your cubic yard result by 2.05 tons/yd³ (the standard density for asphalt) to show estimated weight — essential if you are hauling the material yourself or need delivery pricing.
Asphalt Calculator: Tonnage, Bases, Overlays & Why Pros Lay Hot Mix
The Math: 145 Pounds per Cubic Foot
Asphalt tonnage starts from one number: compacted hot mix weighs about 145 lbs per cubic foot. Measure the area, multiply length × width × depth in feet to get cubic feet, then divide by 27 for cubic yards. Since a cubic yard holds 27 × 145 = 3,915 lbs, the trade rounds asphalt to roughly 2 tons per cubic yard, and this calculator uses 2.05. Worked example: a 20 × 40 ft driveway at 3 inches is 200 cubic feet, or 7.4 cubic yards, which comes to about 15.2 tons. Add 5 percent for waste and uneven base depth, and you order about 16 tons. The same math explains coverage: at 3 inches, one ton covers only about 53 sq ft, which is why driveway quotes climb fast with thickness.The Base Matters More Than the Thickness
Asphalt is a flexible wearing surface, not a structure. Almost every cracked, rutted, or sinking driveway traces back to what is underneath it, not to the asphalt itself. A residential driveway needs 6 to 8 inches of compacted gravel or crusher run beneath 2.5 to 3 inches of asphalt, and that base has to be graded for drainage and compacted in lifts. Doubling the asphalt to 5 inches over a weak base buys almost nothing, while the standard 3 inches over a proper base routinely lasts 15 to 20 years. When you compare contractor quotes, ask each one how much base they are installing and how they compact it. That answer predicts the life of the driveway better than the asphalt thickness does.Overlay vs Full Replacement
If an old driveway is flat, drains well, and shows only surface aging or hairline cracks, a resurfacing overlay of 1.5 to 2 inches refreshes it for roughly $3 to $6 per sq ft, about half the cost of replacement. The crew mills or preps the edges so the new layer meets garages and sidewalks flush, then paves over the old surface. But an overlay is only as good as what it covers. Alligator cracking (a web of interlocking cracks), low spots that hold water, and sections that flex underfoot all signal base failure, and new asphalt over a failed base reflects those cracks through within 2 to 4 years. In that case, full-depth replacement, tearing out the old pavement, regrading and compacting the base, then paving fresh, is the only fix that lasts.Why You Cannot DIY Hot Mix at Scale
Hot mix leaves the plant at over 300°F and must be spread and fully compacted before it cools below roughly 200°F, a working window measured in minutes on a cool day. A driveway crew runs a paver or skilled screed work, followed immediately by a steel-drum roller making repeated passes, with trucks cycling hot material to the site so the mat never goes cold. A homeowner with a pickup load of mix, a rake, and a hand tamper cannot hold that temperature or that pace across 800 sq ft, and the result is a rough, poorly compacted surface that ravels and cracks early. DIY effort is better spent on the parts that do work at small scale: cold patch for potholes, recycled millings for a loose-surface drive, sealcoating for maintenance, and hiring out the hot mix itself.Pro Tips & Insights
1
The standard density of compacted Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA) is approximately 145 lbs per cubic foot, or 2.05 tons per cubic yard.
2
Always ensure you have a properly compacted gravel or crushed stone base before laying asphalt to prevent cracking.
3
Order about 5% extra material to account for irregular edges, waste, and variation in base depth.
4
Sealcoat a new driveway for the first time after 6 to 12 months, then every 3 to 5 years. Sealcoating slows oxidation and fills hairline cracks, but it cannot rescue a driveway whose base has failed.
5
Never judge two paving quotes on asphalt thickness alone. Three inches of asphalt over an 8-inch compacted base will outlast 4 inches laid over dirt or a thin, loose base.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you calculate tons of asphalt?▼
First, find the cubic volume by multiplying Length (ft) × Width (ft) × Depth (ft). Divide by 27 to get cubic yards. Finally, multiply the cubic yards by the standard asphalt density of 2.05 tons/yd³.
How thick should an asphalt driveway be?▼
For a standard residential driveway over a solid gravel base, 2.5 to 3 inches of compacted asphalt is recommended. If heavy vehicles will use the driveway, 4 inches is preferred.
How much area does one ton of asphalt cover?▼
Coverage depends on thickness: one ton of hot mix covers about 160 sq ft at 1 inch thick, 80 sq ft at 2 inches, 53 sq ft at 3 inches, and 40 sq ft at 4 inches. Most residential driveways are paved at 2.5 to 3 inches, so plan on roughly 53 to 64 sq ft per ton.
How much asphalt do I need for a 20x40 driveway?▼
A 20 by 40 ft driveway at 3 inches thick is 200 cubic feet, which is 7.4 cubic yards. At 2.05 tons per cubic yard, that is about 15.2 tons of hot mix. Add the standard 5 percent for waste and edge variation, and order about 16 tons.
How much does asphalt cost in 2026?▼
Hot mix asphalt costs $90 to $150 per ton at the plant in 2026, based on current supplier estimates. Professionally installed, a residential driveway runs $5 to $10 per sq ft, so a 20x40 driveway (800 sq ft) costs about $4,000 to $8,000 installed. Material alone for that driveway is about 15.2 tons, or roughly $1,370 to $2,280 before labor and base work.
Is asphalt or concrete cheaper for a driveway?▼
Asphalt is cheaper to install: about $5 to $10 per sq ft versus roughly $8 to $15 per sq ft for concrete, based on 2026 estimates. Concrete lasts longer (often 25 to 30 years versus 15 to 20 for asphalt) but costs far more to repair. Asphalt wins on upfront price and easy resurfacing; concrete wins on lifespan if the budget allows.
Can I resurface over old asphalt instead of replacing it?▼
Yes, if the existing driveway is structurally sound with only surface cracks and good drainage. A resurfacing overlay adds 1.5 to 2 inches of new hot mix over the old surface at roughly $3 to $6 per sq ft. If you see alligator cracking, sinking, or standing water, the base has failed and an overlay will crack through within a few years; full replacement is the better spend.