Asphalt Driveway Cost Calculator
Planning an asphalt (blacktop) driveway? Enter the dimensions and thickness to get the tons of hot-mix asphalt required, the material cost, and an estimated installed price including labour.
Common sizes
Jump to a pre-filled estimate:
How it works
Area = length × width. Volume = area × thickness. Hot-mix asphalt weighs about 145 lb per cubic foot, so we convert volume to tons (how asphalt is sold), add a waste allowance, then add labour at your local per-square-foot install rate.
The formula
Tons = (Length × Width × Thickness in ÷ 12 × 145 ÷ 2000) × (1 + waste%). Installed cost = tons × price per ton + area × labour per sq ft.
Worked examples
| Example | Result |
|---|---|
| 40×12 driveway at 2" | A standard single driveway: about 6.4 tons, roughly $1,725 installed. |
| 20×20 pad at 3" | A parking pad at full 3-inch depth: about 8 tons. |
| 50×10 long drive at 2" | A long narrow driveway: about 6.6 tons. |
Frequently asked questions
How many tons of asphalt for a driveway?
A common contractor rule is that one ton of hot-mix asphalt covers about 80 square feet at 2 inches thick. So a 480 sq ft driveway (40×12) at 2 inches takes roughly 6 tons before waste.
How thick should an asphalt driveway be?
Residential driveways are usually 2–3 inches of asphalt over a 4–8 inch compacted stone base. Go to 3 inches where heavier vehicles park.
How much does an asphalt driveway cost?
Installed asphalt driveways typically run $3–$7 per square foot depending on region, thickness and site prep. This tool separates material (tons × price) from labour so you can localise both.
Is asphalt cheaper than concrete?
Asphalt usually has a lower upfront cost per square foot than concrete, but a shorter lifespan and more frequent sealing. Enter both prices in the respective calculators to compare for your project.
Related tools
Method reviewed by The editorial team. See our methodology for sources and assumptions.