Calculate hot-mix asphalt tonnage for driveways, parking pads, and patches. Enter your dimensions and depth to get tons — the unit asphalt is sold in — plus an optional cost estimate.
How to use this calculator
- Enter length and width in feet.
- Enter depth in inches — 2–3 inches over a compacted gravel base is standard for residential driveways.
- Add your plant’s price per ton for a material cost estimate.
The math behind it
Tons = length (ft) × width (ft) × depth (in) ÷ 12 × 145 lb/ft³ ÷ 2000, plus your waste factor. Hot-mix asphalt weighs about 145 pounds per cubic foot compacted.
FAQs
How many tons of asphalt for a driveway?
A 40×12 ft driveway at 3 inches thick needs about 9.1 tons. Most residential driveways fall in the 7–12 ton range.
How thick should a residential driveway be?
2–3 inches of asphalt over 4–6 inches of compacted gravel base. Go thicker (3+ inches) for heavy vehicles or soft soils.
Can I DIY an asphalt driveway?
Small patches, yes — cold-patch bags work for repairs. Full driveways need hot-mix delivered and compacted with proper equipment; it’s realistically a pro job for most homeowners.
Related calculators
- Gravel Calculator — for the base layer
- Concrete Slab Calculator — the alternative driveway material