Asphalt tonnage, weight, volume and cost estimates
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Asphalt Cost Per Square Foot Calculator

Estimate asphalt material cost per square foot based on your project measurements, thickness, density and price per ton.

Asphalt Cost Per Square Foot Calculator

Enter your paving area, asphalt thickness, density and price per ton to estimate asphalt material cost and cost per square foot.

Area—
Estimated Tons—
Material Cost—
Material Cost / Sq Ft—

This calculates estimated asphalt material cost per square foot. It is not a complete installed contractor quote.

The cost to install an asphalt driveway or pavement is determined by the square foot of the area.The square footage of the area determines an asphalt driveway or pavement installation cost.

When you're thinking about building an asphalt driveway or parking lot, private road or other paving project, one of the most crucial questions you will likely have is “how much does asphalt cost per square foot?”

Although this may seem like a straightforward question, there is not one fixed price that is suited for all asphalt jobs.

The type of work to be done before the asphalt is laid, the accessibility of the driveway, the drainage system, the location, the thickness of the asphalt, the cost of the material, the amount of labor, and the size of the work area all have an impact on the final cost.

This is where the Asphalt Cost Per Square Foot Calculator can come in handy.

You can estimate the cost of the material in your project based on the project area, asphalt quantity, and a price assumption, rather than an assumed price.

The following guide will provide information on how to calculate the cost of asphalt per square foot, how the thickness of asphalt affects the cost, how to estimate the cost for a driveway, what is included in a paving quote, and why a paving quote can vary so drastically from a basic materials calculation.

What is the cost per square foot of asphalt?

Asphalt cost per square foot is a method of estimating the cost of paving a specific area, based on the size of the area.

For instance, a paving job that costs $8000 and has a 2000 square foot area:

$8,000 ÷ 2,000 = $4 per square foot

This means that you are paying $4 per square foot for this specific project.

But it's not the only number.

The cost per square foot of two asphalt projects may differ greatly with the same amount of square feet.

Why?

One project might require:

An increase in the thickness of the asphalt layer

Therefore, cost per square foot should only be used as a comparison and budgeting measurement, and not as a standard asphalt price.

So, how much does asphalt cost per square foot?

The easiest calculation is:

Total Project Cost divided by the total area paved = Cost Per Square Foot.

For instance, if your driveway requires $6,000 and involves 1,500 square feet.

The calculation is:

$6,000 ÷ 1,500 = $4 per square foot

The cost of the project is estimated to be $4 per square foot.

However, if you begin with the cost of the asphalt material instead of the whole contractor's bid, you will have to first determine the quantity of asphalt you need.

The overall procedure is:

Paved Area to Asphalt Volume to Asphalt Weight to Asphalt Tons to Material Cost.

Then:

Material Cost / Paved Area = Asphalt Material Cost Per Square Foot

This is not the same as the final installed cost/sqft.

The cost of asphalt materials is only a portion of the overall paving project.

One of the most critical points to know to determine the cost of asphalt is this.

The cost of the asphalt material is just one component of a paving project.

For instance, if after calculating the amount of asphalt you need, the result is 10 tons.

Assume that the cost of the material is $120 per ton:

10 × $120 = $1,200

This will add up to about $1,200 in asphalt material costs.

It does not necessarily mean that you can install your driveway for $1,200.

The contractor may also charge for the following:

This aspect is very notable when comparing quotes.

Make sure not to compare an estimate for a raw asphalt material against a contractor's estimate and profess that one is overcharging. First look at the work that is included.

Asphalt cost per square foot can be influenced by numerous factors.

The price of an asphalt project can vary due to a few things.

### Project Size

The overall size will determine the amount of asphalt material needed.

This means that a 500 square foot driveway will use less asphalt than a 2,000 square foot parking area.

But, the cost per square foot doesn't always go down or up in a linear fashion.

Fixed costs like mobilization, equipment, and delivery are distributed over a smaller area with small projects, so these costs may be proportionately greater per square foot.

### Asphalt Thickness

The amount of material is directly related to thickness.

The thicker the asphalt, the more material is needed for the same area as compared to a thin one.

For instance, if the area remains 1,000 square feet, the thickness goes from 2" to 4", the theoretical volume of asphalt will be about doubled.

This can also mean that the material cost can go up a lot.

### Base Preparation

The existing base can greatly influence the overall project cost.

Preparation can be relatively easy if the existing base is stable and suitable.

Depending on the condition of the base, it can be weak, damaged, wet, and or unstable, and additional work may need to be done.

This can include:

Removal of inadequate material and substitution with proper material.

If a contractor quotes you for extensive base preparation, he might be more expensive than one quoting you for a basic resurfacing.

### Existing Pavement

When replacing an old driveway, the contractor may have to take off the old asphalt.

Removal can involve:

A typical estimate for asphalt material doesn't necessarily take these costs into account.

### Drainage

Water is one of the significant factors when constructing pavement.

More work may be required prior to asphalt installation, if drainage problems are present.

Drainage may be improved through grading, drainage channels, pipes or other site specific methods.

### Location

The cost of asphalt and labor may vary widely from one location to another.

The price may vary depending on the availability of materials, transportation distances, local availability of labor, fuel costs, competition, and market conditions.

This means the cost per sq.ft. for asphalt in one city may not be relevant to another city.

### Accessibility

If the driveway is easily accessible for trucks and paving equipment, it may be less complicated than a site that is more difficult to access.

Labor and equipment needs may be greater due to narrow streets, steep driveways, limited work space, or long material handling distances.

## Asphalt Driveway Cost Per Square Foot

One of the most popular calculations that homeowners search for is the asphalt driveway cost per square foot.

But not all driveways have one particular price.

Final cost will be based on scope of work.

In the case of a basic driveway, the project could include:

  1. Preparing the surface
  2. Applying the asphalt
  3. Compacting the material
  4. Finishing the edges

An alternative driveway might need:

  1. Removing old pavement

First excavation of existing base.

  1. Installing aggregate
  2. Grading
  3. Correcting drainage
  4. Installing asphalt
  5. Compacting the surface

Of course the second project will be more expensive.

If you get a driveway quote, enquire about the elements of the quote.

Don't assume that the low cost per square foot doesn't come with a cost: think about the job behind the number.

Calculating the asphalt driveway cost is easy.It's easy to calculate the asphalt driveway cost.

First, you need to find out the area of the driveway.

If the driveway is rectangular:

Square Feet = Length × Width

For example:

40 feet × 12 feet = 480 square feet

Assume the estimated installed price is $5 per sq ft:

480 × $5 = $2,400

That would be an estimated project cost at that assumed cost.

But the actual price for contractors may vary based on preparation, thickness, location and other factors.

If the driveway is not a regular shape, divide it into smaller areas.

For example:

Section A = 400 sq ft

Section B = 150 sq ft

Section C = 100 sq ft

Total:

400 + 150 + 100 = 650 square feet

Then use the total area when estimating the cost.

There are two methods for calculating the cost of asphalt per square foot.There are two ways to calculate the cost of asphalt per square foot.

Material cost can be estimated if the tonnage and cost per ton of asphalt is known.

For example:

Estimated asphalt:

12 tons

Price:

$120 per ton

Material cost:

12 × $120 = $1,440

If the project is over 1000 square feet:

$1,440 ÷ 1,000 = $1.44 per square foot

With those assumptions, the estimated cost of asphalt material is $1.44 per square foot.

Keep in mind that this isn't the total installation cost.

Labor, preparation, delivery and other services may be additional.

Calculate the cost of asphalt per square foot.

Using an Asphalt Cost Per Square Foot Calculator can make this calculation a lot more easy.

The calculator will be used to estimate the material cost based on the information of your project, rather than calculating the area, tonnage and material cost manually.

The following may be required, depending on the calculator inputs:

The calculator can then be used to help you figure out the amount of materials required and the cost.

The simple procedure is:

Length × Width = Area

Then:

Area × Thickness = Volume

Then:

Volume × Density = Weight

Then:

Weight ÷ 2,000 = US Tons

Then:

Tons x Price/ton = Material cost

Finally:

Material Cost / Area = Material Cost Per Square Foot

Manual calculations are eliminated if an online calculator is used.

Does the thickness of the asphalt make a difference in the cost per square foot?

Yes.

One of the most important factors that impact the quantity of material used is thickness.

Imagine two projects:

Project A: 1,000 square feet at 2 inches

Project B: 1,000 square feet at 4 inches

The surface area is the same.

The theoretical asphalt volume in Project B is about double that of the project.

If all the other assumptions are kept, the material requirement as well as the material cost will be also approximately twice.

But, don't just opt for the thinnest asphalt because it's the cheapest asphalt.

The thickness of the pavement will be determined by the type of traffic, soil conditions, drainage, condition of the base, climate, type of asphalt mix and other project requirements.

At 1,000 square feet, the asphalt costs $6.00 per square foot.

1,000 square feet is a good size to appreciate how project size and cost relate.

Assume the total installed cost is:

$4,000

Then:

$4,000 ÷ 1,000 = $4 per square foot

If the total cost is:

$6,000

Then:

$6,000 ÷ 1,000 = $6 per square foot

The math is very easy.

The challenge is finding out how much the project should cost.

That's why the cost per square foot always has to be related to the work.

The unit cost of asphalt is calculated for a surface area of 500 square feet.The cost per square foot of asphalt for 500 square feet.

For a project of 500 sq.ft:

If the total cost of the project is $2,500 then:

$2,500 ÷ 500 = $5 per square foot

If the project's cost is $4,000:

$4,000 ÷ 500 = $8 per square foot

The same mathematical formula is used for any project size.

But the cost per square foot can be higher for a small project because some of the fixed costs are not proportional to the area.

Small Asphalt Projects may be more expensive per square foot than large ones.Small Asphalt Projects may end up costing more per square foot than large projects.

It may seem like a no-brainer that a small driveway would always be less costly per square foot.

Not necessarily, as they might be quite different.

Some fixed costs of a contractor are:

Let's assume these costs are divided by a 500 sq.ft. driveway.

These impacts, for the same amount of fixed cost per square foot, are significantly larger than if the same type of fixed cost were distributed over 5,000 square feet.

This is one of the reasons why it can sometimes be misleading to compare the square-foot cost on asphalt jobs.

The cost of asphalt per square foot for driveways and parking lots varies.

The cost of a residential driveway and a commercial parking lot can vary significantly.

A driveway could need:

For a commercial parking lot, the following may be needed:

The work included in both projects can be entirely different, although both projects may be quoted by price per square foot.

When comparing, compare similar projects and similar scope of work.

## Asphalt Resurfacing Cost Per Square Foot

Sometimes, the cost of resurfacing is different from the cost of an asphalt replacement.

Resurfacing can be used to preserve an existing pavement surface, if the pavement condition is appropriate.

The contractor may:

Apply new asphalt layer

Compact the new surface,

This will save on certain expenses when compared to full reconstruction.

Resurfacing is not suitable for all driveways or parking lots, however.

Even re-surfacing the existing pavement/base may not correct the issue if the existing pavement/base is failing.

Before determining which would be appropriate, the existing pavement should be evaluated by a professional.

## Asphalt Replacement Cost Per Square Foot

Complete replacement may take much more work than resurfacing.

The contractor may have to:

- Compact when finished

Replacement may be more expensive per square foot than a "resurfacing" project due to the extra work involved.

That's why it's essential to inquire contractors if their quote is for:

Resurfacing

or:

Complete removal and replacement involves replacing the entire gravel.

It can make a big difference.

There are two methods for pricing asphalt: per square foot and per ton.Asphalt pricing comes in two formats: square foot and ton.

These are two different units of measure.

### Cost Per Square Foot

This provides information on the per square foot cost of paving.

### Cost Per Ton

This will provide the cost of the asphalt material per ton.

Your supplier for example could quote you Asphalt at a ton cost.

Your paver company could possibly quote the finished job in terms of cost per square foot.

Both numbers are good, but they refer to different aspects of the project.

It can be confusing to compare them directly.

When building a driveway, the key question is: How many tons of asphalt per square foot do you need?

That varies with thickness and density.

Assuming an asphalt density of 145 lb/ft³:

To determine the quantity required for one square foot, 1 inch thick, the approximate number of quantity equivalents are:

12.08 pounds

or:

0.00604 US tons

At 2 inches:

24.17 pounds

or:

0.01208 US tons

At 3 inches:

36.25 pounds

or:

0.01813 US tons

At 4 inches:

48.33 pounds

or:

0.02417 US tons

These are the reasons why thickness is crucial in the computation of the asphalt cost per square foot.

## Asphalt Cost Per Square Foot Formula

If you have an existing project cost, just do this:

To determine the cost per square foot, simply divide the total cost by the total area.

For when working out the cost of material from tonnage of asphalt:

Material Cost: Price Per Ton multiplied by Tons.

Then:

Material Cost Per Square Foot = Material Cost / Total Area

For example:

Area:

2,000 square feet

Estimated asphalt:

24 tons

Price:

$120 per ton

Material cost:

24 × $120 = $2,880

Cost per square foot for material:

$2,880 ÷ 2,000 = $1.44 per square foot

Also, this is a material only example and is not a complete installed paving price.

Asphalt is available in an assortment of thicknesses.There are various thicknesses of asphalt.

There is no universal cost in square feet of asphalt because the price depends on the different factors involved.

It will depend on what the term “asphalt cost” refers to.

Do you need information on?

The cost may vary between each can.

Prices are also subject to variation from one place to another and from one time to another.

To get a project price current, ask some local paving contractors and suppliers to provide quotes.

Our calculator will help you to understand the math behind the estimate, but it will not be able to tell you the current price that a contractor will charge you at your location.

Comparing quotes for asphalt is quite easy.Comparing quotes for asphalt is very easy.

When multiple contractors quote you, don't automatically go with the lowest quote.

Compare each quote for what is included first.

Review to see if the quote includes:

For instance, Contractor A can quote $4 per square foot and not include base preparation.

Contractor B may bid $6 per square foot, plus excavation, aggregate, grading, asphalt, labor and cleanup.

Even though the second quote may be higher at $11.50 per square foot, they can actually be a better value.

A low number is only of value if it is known what lies behind it.

The typical size of a driveway is 3/4 acre.Typical driveways range in size at 3/4 acre and the typical asphalt cost per square foot is $30.

The bigger the driveway, the higher the cost—both in absolute dollars and the cost per square foot.

The bigger the driveway, the more material that's required.

However, some fixed costs can be distributed over a larger projects square footage.

In a small project, for instance, delivery and equipment set-up could be a major percentage of the project, whereas in a large project, it could be a small percentage.

That's why you need to compare full project costs and drives to assume that there is a universal square-foot cost for every driveway.

Does the amount of density in asphalt matter when it comes to cost per square foot?

Yes, in case of tonnage material cost calculation.

If the density of the volume changes, the weight of the volume changes.

The price for asphalt is frequently quoted by weight, which may change the estimated number of tons.

The relationship is:

Increasing density results in greater weight, which leads to higher material cost and more tons.

using the same ton. cost and volume.

When it is available, use the density for the type of asphalt mix for a more accurate estimate of the material.

So, does Asphalt Waste have an impact on Cost?

It can.

The theoretical calculation is based on the assumption that the calculated quantity is the quantity of material required.

Requirements may be more in real projects due to:

Other estimates add in an extra allowance.

The allowance will vary depending upon the project.

If it is a large order, talk with the asphalt supplier/contractor about the amount of asphalt needed and don't add a significant percentage for no reason.

Below are some frequently asked questions about our Asphalt Cost Calculator:

How much is the price of asphalt per square foot?

It is the total asphalt project cost divided by the total area paved. It may also apply to material cost per square foot; be sure to verify.

How to calculate the cost of asphalt per square foot?

Calculate the average cost per square meter of pavements for the whole project.

Cost per square foot is the total cost of the project divided by the square feet.

What is the cost to calculate the cost of the asphalt material?

Estimated asphalt tons x Current cost per ton.

Does the thickness of asphalt make a difference in price?

Yes. The depth of the asphalt layer increases material cost, generally.

Yes, the size of the driveway will influence the cost of the asphalt.

Yes. The more square footage that is needed to fill the driveway, the more asphalt will be required, but the per square foot price could come out to be different as the fixed project costs are divided differently over the amount of square feet needed.

Asphalt cost per square foot, what's the average?

No fixed price. The actual cost of asphalt is dependent on location, type of project, thickness, preparation, labor, materials and market conditions.

What is the average cost of asphalt driveway per square foot?

Project and location dependent pricing. The installed price of asphalt may involve numerous expenses in addition to the asphalt product itself.

Is square foot or ton the standard way that asphalt is priced?

Usually, the asphalt material is sold by ton and the paver contractors may quote by square foot or another means.

So what is the unit price of asphalt?

The price is subject to change due to the market situation, delivery, quantity, location, etc and depends on the supplier and the mix. Obtain a current supplier quote for an actual project price.

How much does it cost to apply asphalt to a driveway?

Find the area of the driveway (in square feet), estimate the amount of asphalt for the thickness and density of the driveway, multiply the estimated tons times the cost per ton, and then add any additional costs for preparation and installation.

Is it less expensive to resurface asphalt than replace it?

When existing pavement and base are appropriate, the cost of resurfacing can be less than that of removing and replacing pavement and base, but it does not work for every project.

When receiving a quote for asphalt paving, what information should it contain?

This varies from contractor to contractor. Review and ask if the quote covers materials, labor, delivery, excavation, base preparation, grading, drainage, removal, compaction and other work.

There are many reasons why the price of asphalt products varies.

Contractors could be assuming different thicknesses, preparation, materials, labour, drainage, removal or other project requirements.

Why does a small driveway sometimes cost more per square foot?

Mobilization, equipment and delivery costs are fixed costs that are spread out across a smaller area, which can impact the actual cost per square foot.

How many square feet in an acre of asphalt?What is the amount of asphalt required per square foot?

The amount is related to thickness and density. With a planning density of 145 lb/ft³, it should take about 0.01208 US tons per square foot for a 2-inch layer.

Does the density of the asphalt make a difference in cost?

Yes. When the price of asphalt is based on weight, the density of the asphalt is a factor in determining the number of tons needed for a quantity of asphalt.

As a contractor, is it okay to use an online asphalt cost estimate as a quote?

No. It is handy for planning and budgeting, but the use of an online calculator should not replace a contractor's site specific quote for the project price.

No, an asphalt calculator can't calculate labor costs.No, an asphalt calculator will not calculate labor costs.

An asphalt material calculator can't normally calculate actual labor costs since labor varies from project to project, crew to crew, location to location, equipment to equipment, access to access, and scope of work.

Yes, this calculator can be used for a parking lot.

Yes. It can estimate material costs, but other projects such as commercial parking lot projects may need to be calculated for base, drainage, and traffic loads, striping and miscellaneous.

Yes, it can be used for road paving.Yes, it can be used for road paving.

Yes, for approximate calculations. Detailed engineering plans and project-based estimates of quantities should be used for major road projects.

## How to Get a More Realistic Asphalt Cost Estimate

When planning a real project, begin by taking accurate measurements.

To begin, assess the site to determine the area.First, measure the area of the site.

Find the number of square feet.

### Step 2: Determine Thickness

Apply thickness as required for project.

Use the results to determine the amount of asphalt required.

Estimate volume and tonnage by using the asphalt calculator.

### Step 4: Check Current Material Pricing

Contact a local supplier for an up-to-date price per ton.

Determine the material expenses by making estimates.Make estimates for material costs.

Estimated tons x tons price.

Step 6: Add Other Project Costs

Consider:

### Step 7: Compare Contractor Quotes

To compare the full range of work (not just the cost per square foot).

This process will help you to get a more clear view of what the actual cost of your asphalt project might be.

You can use our Asphalt Cost Per Square Foot Calculator.

When you start working out area, thickness, density, tonnage, material costs and installation costs, it can get a little confusing when you try to work out the cost of asphalt manually.

We have developed our Asphalt Cost Per Square Foot Calculator to make the calculation easier.

Estimate the amount of asphalt needed for your project, calculate an estimated material cost, and learn the cost per sq.-ft.

Can be used for:

Keep in mind that a calculation on the Internet will not represent all of the conditions that can exist at an actual construction site.

There are many factors which could affect the final cost, such as local prices, labour, preparation, drainage, asphalt thickness, existing pavement, access, etc.

Always get a current quote from a qualified local paving contractor or asphalt supplier for a real price.

Determine the cost of products and services before taking a quote.

Don't take a quote from an asphalt company without knowing the numbers.

Calculate your area.

Estimate the material.

Check the thickness.

Know what is the cost per square foot.

Next, ask the contractor what's included.

Before you enter into an asphalt paving project, make sure you use our Asphalt Cost Per Square Foot Calculator to convert your measurement into a realistic cost estimate.

Never buy the first paving quote you receive because it looks cheap, nor select one because it is confusing. Understand exactly what you're buying, compare the entire picture, and make your paving budget a bit easier to understand.