How many tons of asphalt do I need?

Multiply the volume in cubic feet by ~145 lb/ft³, then divide by 2,000. A typical driveway runs 8–12 tons.

How thick should an asphalt driveway be?

2–3 inches of compacted asphalt over a solid base for residential driveways; 4+ inches for heavier vehicles.

How much does a ton of asphalt cover?

At 2 inches thick, one ton covers roughly 80 sq ft; at 3 inches, about 54 sq ft.

Asphalt Cost Calculator

Use the asphalt cost calculator below to get an instant material and installed price range for your project. To estimate asphalt, multiply length × width × thickness for the volume in cubic feet, multiply by the density (~145 lb/ft³), then divide by 2,000 to get tons. A 50×12 ft driveway at 3 inches needs about 10.9 tons, costing roughly $1,800–$4,200 installed.

Your measurements

Length(ft)

Width(ft)

Thickness(in)

2–3 in for driveways, 4+ for heavy loads.

Density(lb/ft³)

Compacted hot-mix asphalt ≈ 145 lb/ft³.

Price per ton($/ton)

Enter your measurements

Fill in the fields to see your estimate.

Asphalt coverage by thickness

Area one ton of compacted asphalt covers at each thickness.

Thickness	Coverage per ton	Tons per 1,000 ft²
1 inch	~160 ft²	~6.3
2 inches	~80 ft²	~12.6
3 inches	~54 ft²	~18.5
4 inches	~40 ft²	~25.0

Asphalt vs concrete driveway

Factor	Asphalt	Concrete
Installed cost	$3 – $7 / ft²	$6 – $12 / ft²
Lifespan	15–20 yrs	25–40 yrs
Maintenance	Reseal every 3–5 yrs	Minimal
Best climate	Cold / freeze-thaw	Hot

What affects asphalt cost

Project size — larger driveway & paving jobs lower the cost per unit but raise the total.
Material grade — premium products cost more but often last longer.
Labor rates — local wages and demand swing installed prices significantly.
Region — prices vary by state and metro (see local cost pages below).
Site access & prep — removal of old material and difficult access add cost.
Season — booking in the off-season can cut labor pricing.