Asphalt Calculator

Hot-mix asphalt (HMA) is sold by the ton and weighs about 2 tons per cubic yard. Enter your area to see the tonnage you'll need for a given thickness, plus material and installed cost ranges. Prices are national estimates — get local paving quotes before you buy.

Price snapshot

$100–$200 / ton

Updated 2026-07-01
Source: Regional hot-mix plant averages + contractor material pass-through pricing

Estimate your asphalt

Showing a default 20 × 20 ft area at 2" deep. Enter your own numbers below.

Length (ft)Width (ft)Depth (in)

Volume

2.47 yd³

You need (+5% waste)

5.08 tons

Estimated cost

$508–$1,015

Material only, $100–$200 per ton. Delivery and labor not included. Estimates only — not engineering advice.

A 20 × 20 ft area at 2" deep needs about 5.08 tons (incl. 5% waste), an estimated $508–$1,015 in material.

By project

Asphalt for a driveway →

Asphalt cost breakdown

Material (per ton): $100–$200 per ton of hot-mix, tracking oil/bitumen prices. Ask your plant for the current spot rate.
Installed driveway (per sq ft): $7–$13 per square foot installed for a standard residential driveway, including base and paving labor.
Base / grading: $1–$3 per sq ft to add or repair the gravel base — required for a lasting driveway.
Removal of old surface: $1–$3 per sq ft if tearing out an existing driveway.

Buying & spec guide

Asphalt must be laid hot — order only what a crew can place and compact that day.
Surface (top) course is usually 1.5–2" compacted; a full new driveway adds a 2–3" binder course below.
A solid, compacted gravel base is what makes asphalt last — don't skip it.
Compacted HMA runs ~145 lb/ft³ (≈1.96 tons/yd³); the calculator adds 5% for waste and joints.
Sealcoat every 2–3 years after the first year to protect the surface.

Driveway sealer at The Home Depot → Cold-patch asphalt repair at Lowe's →

Frequently asked questions

How much does an asphalt driveway cost?

A standard residential asphalt driveway runs about $7–$13 per square foot installed. For a 20 ft × 40 ft (800 sq ft) driveway that's roughly $5,600–$10,400, depending on base condition, thickness, and region.

How much does asphalt cost per ton?

Hot-mix asphalt material runs about $100–$200 per ton, tracking the price of oil-based bitumen binder. Installed cost is quoted per square foot, not per ton.

How many tons of asphalt do I need?

Multiply length × width × thickness to get cubic feet, convert to cubic yards (÷27), then multiply by about 1.96 tons per cubic yard. The calculator above does this and adds 5% for waste.

How thick should an asphalt driveway be?

Plan on 2–3 inches of compacted asphalt over 4–8 inches of compacted gravel base for a residential driveway. Heavier loads need more.

Can I buy asphalt in bags?

Yes — cold-patch asphalt comes in 50 lb bags for filling potholes and small repairs. It is not meant for paving a whole driveway; a full driveway needs hot-mix delivered and compacted by a crew.