Asphalt: Tonnage, Depth & Mix Types
Estimate hot-mix asphalt tonnage for driveways, lots, and overlays.
Asphalt (hot mix asphalt, HMA) is sold by the ton. Residential driveways use a 2″ surface course over 4–6″ of compacted gravel base. Commercial lots and roads use thicker binder + surface courses.
Weight
~3,900–4,050 lb per cubic yard (compacted)
Density
140–150 lb/ft³
Coverage
1 ton of compacted HMA covers ~80 sq ft at 2″ depth.
How do I calculate how much asphalt I need?
Compacted HMA weighs ~145 lb/ft³, so 1 ton covers ~80 sq ft at 2″ or ~53 sq ft at 3″. Always add 5% for waste and taper edges.
New driveways typically get a single 2–3″ lift over compacted base. Resurfacing (overlay) is 1.5″ over an existing sound asphalt or milled surface.
What is asphalt used for?
- Residential driveways
- Parking lots
- Road overlays and patches
- Bike paths and walkways
Which types of asphalt are there?
Surface (wearing) course
Fine aggregate, smooth finish. Top 1.5–2″.
Binder course
Coarser mix for structural strength. Under the surface course.
Cold patch
Bagged, no heating needed. Pothole and crack repair.
Porous asphalt
Allows water through. Green infrastructure applications.
What else do people ask about asphalt?
How thick should a driveway be?
2–3″ of compacted HMA over 4–6″ of compacted gravel base.
How much does a ton of asphalt cover?
~80 sq ft at 2″, ~53 sq ft at 3″.
When can I drive on new asphalt?
24 hours for light vehicles; wait 3–7 days for heavy loads and turning.