Asphalt Paving Calculator

Determine hot mix asphalt (HMA) tonnage and material costs for driveways, roadways, and parking areas.

Total Paved Area (Square Feet) Total area to be paved

Compacted Thickness (Inches) 2.5 inches

1.5" (Overlay) 2.5" (Standard Drive) 3.5" (Commercial) 5"+ (Heavy Truck)

Asphalt Density (lbs/cu ft) Standard HMA = 145 lbs/cu ft

Cost per Ton ($) Plant FOB or delivered

Paving Presets

Hot Mix Asphalt Required

22.7 Tons

45,313 lbs total material

Est. Material Cost $1,930 Asphalt plant cost

Truck Loads 2 Loads Hot mix insulated trucks

Compaction Rule of Thumb Loose hot mix uncompacted screed depth compacts by approximately 25% under a steel drum vibratory roller. Laying 3 inches loose achieves ~2.25 to 2.5 inches compacted.

How Asphalt Tonnage Is Calculated

Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA) density averages 145 to 148 lbs per cubic foot when fully compacted:

Volume (Cubic Feet) = Area (sq ft) × (Compacted Thickness in Inches / 12)
Weight (Pounds) = Volume (cu ft) × 145 lbs/cu ft
Tons = Weight (lbs) / 2,000 lbs

Always add a 5% waste factor to allow for irregularities in the aggregate base course and hand work around edges and curbs.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many square feet does 1 ton of asphalt cover?

At a standard 2-inch compacted depth, 1 ton of asphalt covers approximately 80 to 82 square feet. At 3 inches, it covers roughly 54 square feet.

What temperature must hot mix asphalt be when laid?

Hot mix asphalt arrives on the job site between 275°F and 300°F and must be fully compacted before cooling below 175°F (the cessation temperature).

What is the difference between binder course and wearing course?

Binder course uses larger 3/4" aggregate for structural load bearing. The surface wearing course uses finer 3/8" or 1/2" aggregate for a smooth, waterproof finish.