Asphalt tonnage, weight, volume and cost estimates
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Driveway Asphalt Calculator

Calculate driveway asphalt quantity, tonnage, weight, volume, coverage and material cost from your measurements.

Driveway Asphalt Calculator

Enter your driveway dimensions, asphalt thickness, density and price per ton to estimate area, volume, weight, tons and material cost.

Area—
Volume—
Weight—
US Tons—
Material Cost—

This is a theoretical planning estimate. Actual asphalt quantity and cost may vary with mix density, compaction, waste, base conditions, drainage and project requirements.

This driveway asphalt calculator can be used to calculate the amount of asphalt required for your driveway.

If you plan to lay asphalt on your driveway and want to know how much asphalt you will need,

You might already know the length and width of the driveway, but there are still some questions:

How many tonnes of asphalt will be required? What should the thickness of the asphalt be? What will be the cost of the material? What will be the area covered by 1 ton? Do I need to place an additional order for Asphalt?**

We have developed a Driveway Asphalt Calculator that allows you to use a few questions and sizes of your driveway to give you a quick estimate.

It can be used to calculate the quantity of driveway asphalt, asphalt tonnage, asphalt weight, asphalt volume, driveway coverage, and material costs.

If you are a homeowner who is considering a new driveway, replacing an existing one, or looking around for paving contractor comparisons, it is important to understand how driveway asphalt calculations are made, and what factors you need to consider before ordering asphalt.

## What Is a Driveway Asphalt Calculator?

A Driveway Asphalt Calculator is an online application that can be used to find out how much asphalt is needed for a driveway.

The calculation is mainly based on:

The first step is to figure out the area for a simple rectangular driveway:

Length x Width = Square Feet

Volume is then determined by multiplying the area by the thickness of the asphalt.

Then the volume can be translated to weight and tons, using the density of the asphalt.

The basic process is:

Driveway Area —> Asphalt Volume —> Asphalt Weight —> Asphalt Tonnage

To estimate the approximate cost of the asphalt material, in addition to the estimated tonnage, if you have the current price per ton then you can use it in this calculation.

This will spare you from having to do multiple formulas and unit conversions yourself.

## How Does a Driveway Asphalt Calculator Work?

The first step is to determine the surface area of the driveway.

For instance, if you have a 30-foot long driveway that is 20 feet wide:

30 × 20 = 600 square feet

Then, the thickness of the asphalt is required.

If the desired thickness is 3-inches:

3 ÷ 12 = 0.25 feet

Now work out the volume:

600 × 0.25 = 150 cubic feet

Assuming an estimated asphalt density of 145 lb/ft3:

150 × 145 = 21,750 pounds

Convert Pounds to US tons:

21,750 ÷ 2,000 = 10.875 tons

The approximate theoretical result is **10.88 US tons**.

Actual amount may vary depending on actual asphalt densities, compaction, irregular edges, waste, base conditions and other conditions of actual paving projects.

How many tons of asphalt does one need for their driveway?

One size of asphalt doesn't fit all driveways.

They may be required in varying quantities, depending on the driveway's:

A 400 sq. ft. driveway will need less asphalt than a 1000 sq. ft driveway if both are the same thickness.

Similarly, a 4 inch layer will need a lot more asphalt than a 2 inch layer covering the same area.

That is why it is best to always get the real dimensions of your driveway and not the general rule of "tons per driveway".

Do you know your driveway size, but not the amount of asphalt? Just input your measurements in our Driveway Asphalt Calculator to get a quick estimate prior to making material orders.

## How to Measure Your Driveway

It is crucial that measurements are accurate.

Measure for a simple rectangular driveway:

### Length

Measure the length of the driveway from the start to the end.

### Width

Find the distance across the driveway.

Then multiply:

Total Area is equal to the length times the width.

For example:

40 feet × 12 feet = 480 square feet

Don't use just one rough width if a driveway is wider at the driveway gate than close to the house.

Rather, break up the driveway into shorter areas.

## Calculating an Irregular Driveway

Not all driveways are square.

You may have:

The simplest way to do this is to break up the driveway into smaller sections.

For example:

Section A = 400 square feet

Section B = 200 square feet

Total:

400 + 200 = 600 square feet

For the same thickness of asphalt in all sections, the combined area may be used.

If the thickness is not the same, make separate calculations for each section.

This is usually a better way to work than attempting to fit an irregular driveway in one rectangular size.

## Asphalt Driveway Thickness

Thickness is a significant consideration for the quantity of asphalt.

The thicker the asphalt layer the more asphalt will be needed.

But, the right driveway thickness is project dependent.

Factors can include:

If the driveway is only to be used by passenger vehicles, it may have different requirements as one that is used regularly by heavy trucks or trailers.

The calculator can be used to see how various thicknesses will impact the amount of asphalt needed, but should not be used alone to determine the correct structural pavement thickness.

When it comes to a real driveway project, consult a qualified paving contractor or other professional concern the appropriate pavement structure.

What is the weight of the asphalt for a driveway?

Tonnes is based on area, thickness and density.

The simple US formula is:

Tons = Area × Thickness in Feet × Density ÷ 2,000

If the thickness is measured in inches:

The thickness in feet is equal to the thickness in inches divided by 12.

A 3 inch driveway that is 600 square feet is an example.

Thickness:

3 ÷ 12 = 0.25 feet

Volume:

600 × 0.25 = 150 cubic feet

Using 145 lb/ft³:

150 × 145 = 21,750 pounds

Tonnage:

21,750 ÷ 2,000 = 10.875 tons

Thus the approximate number of items is:

10.88 US tons

This is a theoretical estimate, and must be verified for the actual asphalt mix and supplier data.

How Many cubic yards of Asphalt are needed to fill a 500 sq.ft. driveway?

With a planning density of 145 lb/ft³:

### 2 Inches

Approximately:

6.04 tons

### 3 Inches

Approximately:

9.06 tons

### 4 Inches

Approximately:

12.08 tons

These calculations show the differences of the amount of material needed when the thickness differs.

Keep in mind that the right thickness should be decided according to the real need of your project and not just to choose the lowest quantity of material.

If you have a driveway that is 1000 sq.ft., how many yards of asphalt will you need?

Using 145 lb/ft³:

### 2 Inches

Approximately:

12.08 tons

### 3 Inches

Approximately:

18.13 tons

### 4 Inches

Approximately:

24.17 tons

These are estimates prior to project considerations of compaction, waste, irregular shapes and density differences.

What is the amount of asphalt covered by one ton?

The thickness determines the coverage of 1 ton.

One ton of material, using an assumed density of 145 lb/ft³, theoretically covers about:

The thicker the asphalt, the smaller the area covered by one ton of asphalt.

The actual coverage may vary with the type of asphalt mix, asphalt density, compaction, and conditions of installation.

So when someone says, "one ton covers X square feet", always ask what the thickness and density were assumed to be.

## Driveway Asphalt Volume Calculator

Volume of the asphalt needed can be calculated before calculating tonnage.

If the driveway is rectangular:

Volume: Length × Width × Thickness

All measurements need to be in the same measurement units.

For example:

30 ft × 20 ft × 0.25 ft = 150 cubic feet

To convert cubic feet to cubic yards:

150 ÷ 27 = 5.56 cubic yards

This can then be converted to weight, using the asphalt density.

This is helpful if your supplier/contractor provides you with a quantity in cubic yards rather than in tons.

## Asphalt Driveway Weight Calculator

Weight = Asphalt Volume x Density.

Weight = Volume × Density

For example:

150 cubic feet × 145 lb/ft³ = 21,750 pounds

Convert to US tons:

21,750 ÷ 2,000 = 10.875 tons

That is why it is so common to find that there is a close correlation between asphalt weight and tonnage.

Estimated weight varies if there is a change in density.

The density of asphalt is determined by the mix design.The density of asphalt depends on the mix design.

For hot mix asphalts, a typical planning density is approximately:

The unit cost of solid concrete is $145 per cubic foot.

This is not, however, the only density that should be used for all types of asphalt mixes.

The actual density may differ from that mentioned above due to the following factors:

Use the project-specific density, if provided by the asphalt supplier, if available.

It is especially crucial for larger driveway or paving tasks that even minor variations can make a distinction in the quantity.

## Driveway Asphalt Cost Calculator

Once the tonnage of asphalt has been determined, the next question is typically:

How will much will my driveway cost?

Simple material cost calculation is:

Asphalt Material Cost = Estimated Tons × Price Per Ton

For example:

10 tons × $120 = $1,200

That puts the cost of the asphalt material at approximately $1,200.

It is not necessarily the overall driveway installation cost.

A paving contractor can also charge for the following:

Be sure to always find out what's included in a contractor's quote.

## Asphalt Driveway Cost Per Square Foot

It's also good to try to estimate the cost of the driveway per square foot.

The formula is:

Total Project Cost / Driveway Area = Cost Per Square Foot

So, for instance, a $5,000 driveway that is 1,000 square feet:

$5,000 ÷ 1,000 = $5 per square foot

This is helpful in comparing project estimates.

Do not, however, expect the same price per square foot to be in effect everywhere.

The final price can be affected by local labor costs, asphalt prices, driveway preparation, its thickness, accessibility, and site conditions.

The difference between the cost of the asphalt material and the installed driveway cost is dependent on the types, quantities, and materials used.

This distinction can avoid much confusion.

If your calculator gives an approximation of:

12 tons of asphalt

The supplier's fee is:

$120 per ton

The cost of your material is:

12 × $120 = $1,440

However, the contractor might be able to give you a quote of $5,000 for the entire driveway.

That doesn't necessarily imply the contractor is overcharging.

The contractor might be including:

Always compare the whole scope of work.

But do I need to get rid of my old driveway?

An asphalt calculator can calculate the volume of new asphalt to be laid, but cannot determine if your driveway needs to be removed.

That is dependent on the status of:

Even if it appears the underlying structure is sound, applying a new layer of asphalt might not be a solution.

A professional paving company will be able to examine the driveway and suggest whether or not the driveway should be resurfaced, fixed, or replaced.

## Resurfacing vs New Asphalt Driveway

It's a different project.

### Resurfacing

When existing pavement is suitable, a new asphalt layer is put over it.

### Complete Replacement

The existing pavement can be removed, the base can be repaired or rebuilt and the pavement can be resurfaced with a new asphalt surface.

Full replacement may take significantly longer and hence be more expensive.

If you are comparing several contractors' quotes, be sure to understand if the quote is for resurfacing or replacement.

What about Driveway Size and Cost?

Yes.

The bigger the driveway, the more asphalt it will need.

The cost per square foot, however, may not be exactly the same.

The cost per square foot may be higher for small projects because of the additional fixed costs, including:

are distributed over a smaller amount of square feet.

This cost can be spread over a greater area in large projects.

That is why it is best to verify full project estimates instead of relying on a single square-foot estimate.

What is the relationship between Driveway Thickness and Cost?

Yes.

The thicker the asphalt, the more that is needed.

For instance, if you double the thickness of the asphalt from 2 inches to 4 inches, the theoretical amount of asphalt is doubled.

That is, at the same time, the cost of the material can also roughly double, provided that all other factors are constant.

However, the proper thickness should depend on the requirements of the driveway and not just on the lowest estimate received.

How Many Tons of asphalt should I order?

A theoretical calculation is based on no additional material requirements, perfect measurements.

Some allowance may need to be made for in real projects for:

Some projects might allow approximately 5% - 10%, but it's not a universal figure and depends on individual projects and driveways.

A straight driveway could have different square footage compared to an irregular driveway.

If you are ordering a large order consider asking your supplier/ contractor how many they recommend.

Under ordering can lead to delays.

Don't order excess items because that costs money.

Calculate the amount of asphalt needed to cover an irregularly shaped driveway.

If your driveway is not even, work out the area of each part separately.

For example:

Section A: 300 sq ft

Section B: 250 sq ft

Section C: 150 sq ft

Total:

300 + 250 + 150 = 700 sq ft

For all sections of uniform thickness, the total area can be used.

If varying thickness for different parts, tonnage should be calculated separately for each part.

This is a much more effective approach than simply estimating an average driveway size.

Calculate the amount of asphalt needed for a circular driveway.

There may be circular or curved sections in some driveways.

In a circular section:

Area = π × Radius²

For example, given a circular area with a radius of 10ft:

3.14159 × 10² = approximately 314.16 square feet

The area then can be multiplied by the asphalt thickness and density to calculate the tonnage required.

In cases of more complex curves, measurement by a professional might give a more accurate reading.

## Common Driveway Asphalt Calculation Mistakes

For instance, the front of the driveway is only 28 feet wide.For example, the width of the front of the driveway is just 28 feet.

Measure the entire area that will be covered with asphalt.

### Forgetting Thickness

Area alone cannot determine asphalt quantity.

### Mixing Units

Convert inches to feet to calculate cubic feet.

### Confusing Tons and Tonnes

There is a difference between US and metric tonnes.

### Using a Generic Density

The density may vary for a project-specific asphalt mix.

### Ignoring Irregular Sections

Divide complicated driveways into smaller areas.

To order just what has been calculated.To order only as much as has been calculated.

It may be necessary to provide a practical allowance.

Assume that the total cost is determined by material cost.Assume that the total cost is equal to the cost of material.

The cost of labor, preparation, delivery and other work may be important factors in the final cost.

When selecting a thickness, it is sometimes just a cost decision.If you have a choice of thicknesses sometimes it's a cost decision.

The proper pavement structure is a function of the project conditions.

A Driveway Asphalt Calculator is accurate, so please take into account the factors listed below.

When the inputs to the mathematical calculation are accurate, so is the calculation itself.

But this end result is still a guess.

The actual amount of asphalt needed may be different due to:

The calculator can give a very useful first approximation for a simple driveway.

If you have a large or complex job, double check the final amount with your asphalt company or paving company.

## How to Get the Best Driveway Asphalt Estimate

### Measure Carefully

Make sure measurements are correct, don't just guess.

To break up the driveway, divide it into smaller sections.

This is particularly helpful in the case of irregular shapes.

Verify the thickness of the asphalt.

Use thickness necessary to your project.

### Check the Density

If provided by suppliers, use supplier information.

### Calculate the Tonnage

Use the calculator to calculate an approximation for the amount of asphalt needed.

### Check Material Pricing

Check with area suppliers for up-to-date prices.

### Compare Complete Quotes

Consider preparation, labor, delivery, drainage and more than just the asphalt price.

## Driveway Asphalt Calculator FAQs

What is a drive way asphalt calculator?

A driveway asphalt calculator calculates the quantity of asphalt required for a driveway, depending on its area, thickness and asphalt density.

How many tonnes of asphalt do I need for my driveway?

To estimate weight and tonnage, multiply the area (driveway length times width) by the thickness of the asphalt, then use density.

What size driveway will a ton of asphalt cover?

The answer will depend on the size, thickness and density of the asphalt on the driveway. Type the measurements into the calculator to get a good approximate tonnage.

The area of my driveway is 500 square feet, how many tons of asphalt will I need?

At 145 lb/ft³ as a planning density, about 6.04 tons at 2 inches, 9.06 tons at 3 inches and 12.08 tons at 4 inches will be needed.

If a driveway is 1,000 square feet, how many tons of asphalt will be required?

With 145 lb/ft³, the amount needed is about 12.08 tons at 2 inches, 18.13 tons at 3 inches and 24.17 tons at 4 inches.

How many square yards of asphalt will 1 ton cover?

One ton at 2″ at 145 lb/ft³ is about 80 sq.ft. and at 4″ about 40 sq.ft.

What thickness should an asphalt driveway be?What is the proper thickness for an asphalt driveway?

No one thickness is right for all driveways. The pavement structure required will vary according to traffic, soil, drainage, climate, base and other conditions.

How much will it cost to build an asphalt driveway?

The factors that affect the cost include the size of the driveway, the depth of the asphalt, the price of the materials, labor, driveway preparation, removal, drainage, location, and more.

What is the cost of an asphalt driveway, anyway?

Calculate the estimated tons of asphalt, times the price per ton of material, plus the cost of labor, delivery, preparation, grading, drainage and other project costs.

What are the asphalt driveway cost per square foot?

There is not a standard rate. To find the total cost per square foot of driveways for a particular project, divide the total project cost by the area of the driveway.

Will the size of a driveway influence the price of asphalt?

Yes. The size of the driveway will determine the amount of material needed, but smaller projects may be more cost effective per square foot due to fixed costs.

What about the thickness of the asphalt, does it make a difference in cost of a driveway?

Yes. The thicker the asphalt, the more asphalt that is required, and the more material that is required, the more it costs.

Do I need to add additional asphalt?

There can be an allowable tolerance for waste, irregular edges, compaction and measurement differences. Ask your supplier or contractor about the appropriate quantity.

This calculator is for a rectangular driveway, can it be used for an L-shaped driveway?

Yes. Partition the driveway into different sections, find the area of each section, and sum up the areas.

What about a curved drive way and calculating the asphalt?

Of course, but it takes more precise measurement for curved driveways. You can break up the driveway into smaller parts to make it easier to calculate.

What density should I use?What density should I use?

Typically, a planning density of approximately 145 lb/ft³ is assumed, but the actual density of the asphalt mix will vary. When available, use information provided by suppliers.

Is the term 'tonne' the same as 'ton'?

No. A US short ton is 2,000 lbs and a metric tonne is 1,000 kgs.

Why am I getting a different estimate for my driveway asphalt project than a contractor?

The Contractor shall be allowed to adopt various assumptions for thickness, density, waste, compaction, site preparation or the overall project area.

Is there a driveway thickness calculator available that can help me determine the correct thickness for my driveway?

No. It can be used to demonstrate the effect of various thicknesses of material on the quantity of material used, but the correct pavement structure should relate to the actual project conditions.

Before requesting contractors quotes, is there any way to utilize the calculator?

Yes. You can have a rough idea of the amount of material you need by making a preliminary calculation before reviewing the estimates from the contractors.

Does the calculator take the place of a contracting firm that provides paving services?

No. It is an estimating tool. An online calculator cannot take into account site conditions that a professional can.

## Use Our Driveway Asphalt Calculator

No guessing should go into planning a driveway.

Measure the area.

Verify the thickness to be planned.

Make an approximation of the amount of asphalt.

Convert that amount to weight and tons.

Then apply this to get an idea of how much your material might cost.

Our Driveway Asphalt Calculator will take the guesswork out of this process by consolidating common calculations in one place.

It can be used to approximate:

This is a first approximation and it is always important to confirm key amounts with your asphalt supplier or paving contractor.

Going blindly through the calculation of the amount of asphalt you need and the price of your driveway can be costly enough.

Don't drive in the dark—plan ahead of time.

You can use the numbers to make the driveway construction or replacement a lot easier, whether you are constructing a new driveway or replacing an old one.

You will know how much material you might need, what can make a difference in the price, and what to ask when a contractor quotes you.

Before ordering material or getting a paving quote, be sure to enter your driveway dimensions into our calculator and determine how much asphalt you may need.

Just a few minutes and the proper measurements can help you avoid an unpleasant surprise at the end of the line.