Calculate how many tons of hot-mix asphalt you need for driveways, parking lots, overlays, and pathways. Get results in tons, cubic yards, and estimated cost. Uses the industry-standard density of 145 lbs per cubic foot.
Paving a 12x40 foot driveway at 3 inches thick? You need approximately 8.7 tons of hot-mix asphalt. At $100–$200 per ton for material, budget $870–$1,740 for asphalt alone. Add labor, base preparation, and equipment rental for total project cost.
| Size (ft) | Area | 3" Thick | 4" Thick |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10×20 | 200 sqft | 3.6 T | 4.8 T |
| 12×40 | 480 sqft | 8.7 T | 11.6 T |
| 20×40 | 800 sqft | 14.5 T | 19.3 T |
| 24×50 | 1,200 sqft | 21.8 T | 29.0 T |
Based on hot-mix asphalt at 145 lbs/ft³. No waste factor included in table values.
A new residential asphalt driveway should be 3–4 inches thick after compaction. For heavy vehicles or commercial use, go 4–6 inches. Overlays on existing pavement are typically 1.5–2 inches thick.
One ton of hot-mix asphalt covers approximately 80 square feet at 3 inches thick, or 60 square feet at 4 inches thick. Coverage varies slightly with mix design and compaction.
An overlay adds 1.5–2 inches of new asphalt on top of existing pavement to repair surface damage. New asphalt (full-depth) involves removing the old surface, preparing the base, and paving 3–4 inches. Overlays cost 40–60% less but require the existing base to be structurally sound.
Installed asphalt typically costs $3–$7 per square foot for residential driveways, including materials and labor. Material alone runs $100–$200 per ton. A typical 12×40 driveway costs $1,500–$3,500 total.
Asphalt should be placed when the air temperature is at least 50°F (10°C) and rising. The ground temperature matters too — frozen or very cold ground cools the asphalt too quickly, preventing proper compaction. Most paving is done between spring and fall.
Hot-mix asphalt (HMA) weighs approximately 145 pounds per cubic foot, or about 3,915 pounds (1.96 tons) per cubic yard. This is the industry-standard density used for estimating tonnage.