Asphalt Calculator
Calculate tons of asphalt needed for driveways and parking areas
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Tips & Notes
- •Residential driveways typically use 2"–3" of asphalt over a compacted gravel base.
- •Always install a 4"–6" compacted gravel base before asphalt.
- •Asphalt is sold and priced by the ton — one ton covers roughly 80 sq ft at 2" depth.
- •Hot mix asphalt must be laid and compacted quickly — this is not a DIY project.
Pro tips for asphalt
- ›Residential driveways typically use 2"–3" of asphalt over a compacted gravel base.
- ›Always install a 4"–6" compacted gravel base before asphalt.
- ›Asphalt is sold and priced by the ton — one ton covers roughly 80 sq ft at 2" depth.
- ›Hot mix asphalt must be laid and compacted quickly — this is not a DIY project.
Frequently asked questions
How many tons of asphalt do I need for a driveway?▾
A 12'×40' driveway at 3" depth covers 480 sq ft and needs about 6.5 tons (1 ton covers ~80 sq ft at 2" or ~55 sq ft at 3"). Always order 5–10% extra to account for compaction and edges.
How thick should an asphalt driveway be?▾
Residential driveways use 2"–3" of compacted asphalt over a 4"–6" compacted gravel base. Heavy vehicle areas need 4". The base matters as much as the asphalt — skimping on base causes cracking and rutting within 1–2 years.
How much does asphalt paving cost?▾
Materials run $100–$200/ton for hot mix. Installed by a contractor, residential driveway paving costs $7–$13/sq ft (about $3,500–$6,500 for a 12'×40' driveway). New construction with base prep runs $10–$20/sq ft.
Can I install asphalt myself?▾
Not really — hot-mix asphalt must be laid and compacted while above 250°F, which requires a delivery truck, paver or experienced spreader, and a heavy roller. Cold patch asphalt works for small repairs but not full driveway installation.
How long does asphalt last?▾
A properly installed asphalt driveway lasts 15–25 years. Seal-coat every 3–5 years to extend life. Crack-fill annually to prevent water infiltration. Resurface (1.5" overlay) at year 10–15, then full replacement around year 20–25.