Asphalt for a Driveway
A residential asphalt driveway is typically 2–3 inches of compacted hot-mix over a gravel base. Enter your driveway's dimensions below for the tonnage and material cost; see the installed per-square-foot range in the cost breakdown.
Source: Regional hot-mix plant averages + contractor material pass-through pricing
Estimate asphalt for your driveway
Prefilled for a 40 × 20 ft driveway at 3" — adjust to your size.
Material only, $100–$200 per ton. Delivery and labor not included. Estimates only — not engineering advice.
Tips for driveways
- A 2-car driveway is roughly 20 ft × 20 ft; a driveway to a detached garage is often 40 ft or longer.
- Budget from the installed per-sq-ft range ($7–$13) for total project cost — tonnage alone is just the material.
- Widen by 2–3 ft beyond car width so tires don't ride the edge and crack it.
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.
Frequently asked questions
How many tons of asphalt for a 2-car driveway?
A 20 ft × 20 ft driveway (400 sq ft) at 3 inches compacted needs roughly 7.6 tons of hot-mix asphalt including waste.
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.