Asphalt Driveway Calculator
Enter your driveway size and asphalt thickness to estimate tonnage — what the plant and the paver both quote in.
Runs entirely in your browser — your numbers never leave this page.
How it works
Asphalt is ordered by the ton. The industry rule: one square yard at one inch thick weighs ~110 lb:
Tons = (Length × Width ÷ 9) × Thickness × 110 ÷ 2000
- Thickness: 2 inches for overlays on sound pavement; 3 inches for new driveways; 4 inches where trucks park.
- The base decides everything: 6–8 inches of compacted crusher run. Asphalt over soft soil cracks in the first winter — no exceptions.
- Timing: hot-mix leaves the plant at ~300°F and must be laid and rolled before it cools below ~175°F. Morning deliveries, crew ready.
- Compaction: each lift compacted while hot. Cold joints (where today meets yesterday) are the weak spots — plan paving in one go.
- Cure: stay off 24 hours minimum, 3 days in heat. Sealcoat after 6–12 months, then every 3–5 years.
Frequently asked questions
How much asphalt do I need?
Area in sq yd × thickness in inches × 110 ÷ 2000. A 50×12 ft driveway (66.7 sq yd) at 3 inches ≈ 11 tons, +5% ≈ 11.6 tons.
How thick should a residential driveway be?
3 inches of asphalt over 6–8 inches of compacted base for cars. 2 inches works as an overlay on sound existing pavement; go 4 inches for RVs or trucks.
How much base gravel goes under asphalt?
6–8 inches compacted — about 1 cubic yard per 54 sq ft at 6 inches. The base carries the load; the asphalt is just the wearing surface.
Can I pave over my old driveway?
If the old asphalt is sound (no alligator cracking, stable base), a 2-inch overlay works. If the base failed, overlaying just copies the cracks upward — mill and re-base instead.
How long before I can drive on new asphalt?
24 hours minimum; 48–72 hours in hot weather. It feels hard but is still curing — power steering at a standstill will scuff it for weeks.
When should I sealcoat?
First seal 6–12 months after paving (let it cure), then every 3–5 years. Sealcoat blocks UV and water — the two things that age asphalt.
Why did my asphalt crack the first winter?
Almost always the base: too thin, uncompacted, or soft subgrade. Water in the base freezes, heaves, and cracks follow. Surface fixes never last.
How much does an asphalt driveway cost?
Roughly $3–7 per sq ft installed ($7–13 in high-cost areas). A 50×12 driveway lands around $1,800–4,200 — get 3 quotes, and ask about base depth.
What is the difference between hot-mix and cold patch?
Hot-mix (from the plant, ~300°F) is real paving. Cold patch (bagged) is a temporary pothole filler — fine for winter emergencies, not for driveways.
Should the driveway slope?
Yes — 1–2% away from the garage/house. Standing water infiltrates and destroys asphalt from below; crown the center slightly on wide drives.