Asphalt Driveway Cost Guide: Tonnage, Paving & Resurfacing

Asphalt is sold and installed by weight (US tons). To calculate tonnage:

1. Calculate volume: length × width × thickness (in feet) ÷ 27 = cubic yards.
2. Multiply by asphalt density: ~2.0 US tons per cubic yard (compacted HMA).
3. Add 5–10% for waste and irregular edges.

Example: A 30 × 12 foot driveway at 3 inches thick: 30 × 12 × 0.25 = 90 cubic feet ÷ 27 = 3.33 cubic yards. At 2.0 tons per cubic yard, that is 6.67 US tons. With 10% waste, order about 7.3 tons.

The shortcut formula: tons = square feet × thickness (inches) ÷ 162. So 360 sq ft × 3 in ÷ 162 = 6.67 tons.

The national average cost of an asphalt driveway in 2026 is $3–$7 per square foot installed. This includes labor, materials, equipment, and basic site preparation. Prices vary by region, asphalt mix, driveway size, and site conditions.

Asphalt is cheaper upfront, but concrete lasts longer and needs less maintenance. Here is how they compare:

When to choose asphalt: Cold climates (flexes with freeze-thaw), lower budget upfront, larger driveways (lower per-sq-ft cost at scale).

When to choose concrete: Hot climates, longer ownership horizon, lower maintenance preference, decorative finishes desired.

Resurfacing (also called overlay) installs a 1–2 inch layer of new asphalt over an existing driveway. It costs $1.50–$3.50 per square foot — roughly half the cost of full replacement. A standard 2-car driveway runs $1,000–$2,500 to resurface.

Resurfacing only works if:

• The existing base and drainage are sound.
• Cracks are minor (less than ¼ inch wide).
• There are no potholes or alligator cracking.
• The existing surface is clean and tack-coated.

Major cracks, potholes, or drainage issues usually require full replacement instead. Resurfacing a failed base will crack again within 1–2 years.

Compacted hot mix asphalt (HMA) weighs about 145 lb per cubic foot, or roughly 2.0 US tons per cubic yard. Density varies by mix design:

Use your supplier's mix specification for accurate tonnage estimates. The density values above are typical compacted values for planning.

*At 145 lb/cu ft (compacted HMA). Coverage halves each time you double the thickness.

Thickness affects tonnage and cost roughly linearly — a 4-inch pour needs about twice the material of a 2-inch pour over the same area.

• Site prep: Excavation, grading, and base installation add $1–$3/sq ft. Existing driveway removal costs $0.50–$2/sq ft.
• Base material: A 4–8 inch gravel base costs $1–$2/sq ft and is essential for longevity.
• Drainage: Slope grading, drains, and curbing add $500–$2,000+ depending on complexity.
• Project size: Larger projects cost less per square foot due to equipment mobilization spreading across more area.
• Location: Rural areas and regions with longer haul distances from the asphalt plant cost more.
• Sealcoating: First seal at 6–12 months, then every 2–5 years at $0.15–$0.30/sq ft.

The shortcut formula converts square feet directly to tons: tons = square feet × thickness (inches) ÷ 162. The 162 comes from 12 × 2,000 ÷ 145 (the density of compacted HMA in lb per cubic foot). For 360 sq ft at 3 inches: 360 × 3 ÷ 162 = 6.67 tons. Add 5–10% for waste.

Use our free square feet to cubic yards converter for the volume step, or the asphalt calculator for the full tonnage calculation with density selection.

Asphalt millings are recycled asphalt milled from old surfaces. They cost $10–$25 per ton — much cheaper than fresh HMA ($40–$80/ton material-only). Millings are lighter: density is about 1.49 tons per cubic yard versus 1.96 for compacted HMA.

Calculate the same way: area × depth ÷ 27 for cubic yards, then × 1.49 for tons. For 500 sq ft at 4 inches: 6.17 cu yd × 1.49 = 9.2 tons of millings. Millings are commonly used for rural driveways and paths where a compacted surface is needed without the cost of fresh asphalt.

Sealcoating protects asphalt from UV, water, and oil damage. Coverage is about 40–60 sq ft per gallon for the first coat and 60–80 sq ft for the second. For a 1,000 sq ft driveway with two coats: 1,000 ÷ 50 + 1,000 ÷ 70 = 20 + 14 = about 34 gallons.

Sealcoat costs $0.15–$0.30 per sq ft, or $75–$200 for a typical 2-car driveway. Apply the first coat 6–12 months after installation, then every 2–5 years. Most sealcoat comes in 5-gallon pails covering 250–400 sq ft per pail (two coats).

Instant estimates: asphalt calculator. Tonnage math: how to calculate asphalt tonnage. Sq ft → tons / millings: asphalt tonnage calculator guide. Volume: cubic yard calculator. Base stone: gravel calculator.