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Asphalt Calculator

Tons of hot mix asphalt for a driveway or lot.

Asphalt Calculator
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Hot mix asphalt is sold by the ton and specified by compacted depth. Compacted HMA weighs roughly 145 lb per cubic foot, which is about two tons per cubic yard.

How this is calculated

  1. Volume = length × width × compacted thickness ÷ 12.
  2. Multiply cubic feet by 145 lb and divide by 2000 to get tons.
  3. Asphalt compacts about 25% during rolling, so the loose depth laid is noticeably greater than the finished thickness. This calculator works from the finished compacted depth.

Frequently asked questions

How thick should an asphalt driveway be?

Two to three inches of compacted surface course over a four to eight inch compacted aggregate base for residential use. Commercial lots go thicker.

How much does a ton of asphalt cover?

At 2 inches compacted, roughly 80 square feet. At 3 inches, about 55 square feet.

Is asphalt cheaper than concrete?

Asphalt usually costs less to install but needs sealing every few years and has a shorter life. Concrete costs more up front and lasts longer.

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