Asphalt driveway tons guide (thickness and truckloads)
A practical asphalt driveway estimate guide: why thickness drives tonnage and what changes between resurfacing and full rebuilds.
Thickness drives tonnage
Asphalt is usually ordered by weight (tons). Your area and compacted thickness determine tonnage. The same driveway at 2 inches vs 3 inches can be a big swing.
Typical compacted thickness ranges (planning)
| Project type | Typical compacted thickness | Reminder |
|---|---|---|
| Resurface/overlay (good base) | 1.5–2 in | Base problems still telegraph through |
| Residential driveway | 2–3 in | Traffic and climate can push thicker |
| Heavy use/weak subgrade | 3–4+ in | Often needs a stronger base too |
Resurface vs rebuild
- Resurface overlays can be thinner, but base problems still show through.
- Full rebuilds often require a separate gravel base estimate (and base can exceed asphalt cost).
- Drainage fixes often matter more than a small change in asphalt thickness.
Base layer basics (the real driver of longevity)
If the base is weak, asphalt thickness alone won’t save the driveway. Most long-term failures are water and subgrade problems: poor drainage, pumping, and inadequate compaction.
- Fix grading and drainage first (water sitting on asphalt shortens life).
- Estimate base stone separately; base thickness and compaction are project dependent.
- Edge support matters: unsupported edges crumble faster under turning tires.
Tonnage math (simple check)
If you want a quick sanity check: volume (cu ft) = area (sq ft) × thickness (in/12). Compacted asphalt is often in the ~145 lb/cu ft range (varies), so tons ≈ (cu ft × 145) / 2000.
Example: 600 sq ft at 3 inches is 600 × (3/12) = 150 cu ft. 150 × 145 = 21,750 lb ≈ 10.9 tons. Then add waste/compaction allowances and confirm with your supplier/contractor.
Why conversions vary (density and compaction)
- Different mixes and aggregate gradations have different densities.
- Moisture, temperature, and compaction effort change the final density and thickness.
- Edges, transitions, and handwork areas often run thicker than the “average” plan.
Truckloads and scheduling
- Suppliers may have minimum order sizes; confirm before estimating to the decimal.
- Plan where trucks can dump and how you will move mix without cold joints.
- Hot mix has limited working time—schedule compaction and labor accordingly.
Ordering note
Hot mix has limited working time. Confirm delivery schedule and placement plan so material is placed and compacted properly.
Ordering checklist (avoid last-minute shortages)
- Confirm compacted thickness target (not just “a couple inches”).
- Confirm mix type and whether pricing is short tons vs metric tonnes.
- Plan access, truck turnaround, and where material will be dumped/staged.
- Add a buffer for edges, transitions, and handwork areas.