Your asphalt driveway cost calculator needs your project's square footage and desired depth to determine how much material you need for accurate budgeting.
Expect to pay $3,150 to $7,400 for professional asphalt installation, with materials costing $2 to $6 per square foot and labor $5 to $7 per square foot.
Multiply your driveway's length by width to get square footage, then multiply by depth in feet and divide by 27 for cubic yards needed.
Hiring a local driveway paving professional takes the guesswork out of measurements and material estimates, helping you avoid ordering too much or too little asphalt.
Asphalt is a common material for paving roads, driveways, parking lots, patios, and walkways. It’s durable and can last many years, so it’s used in many different ways. If you’re planning a paving project and wondering, “How much asphalt do I need?” this guide will help you calculate your material needs to create a solid project budget.
Asphalt is measured in cubic yards, and the amount you need depends on the size of the area to be paved as well as your desired depth. The thicker the asphalt, the more durable the surface, and the less you’ll likely pay in asphalt driveway repair costs over time. Here are some examples of common asphalt projects and the amount of asphalt needed for each.
| Type of Project | Average Size in Square Feet | Cubic Yards of Asphalt (2-Inch Depth) | Cubic Yards of Asphalt (4-Inch Depth) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Driveway | 200–800 | 1.23–4.9 | 2.5–9.9 |
| Patio | 50–350 | 0.3–2.2 | 0.6–4.3 |
| Walking Path | 80–280 | 0.5–1.7 | 1–3.5 |
Before determining how much asphalt you need, measure the area where the asphalt will be poured. Then, use the following equations to calculate the correct amount of asphalt.
(Length x width) x depth = total cubic feet
Cubic feet ÷ 17 = total cubic yards of asphalt needed
It’s advisable to order about 5% to 10% more asphalt than you think you need to account for wastage.
Once you know how to calculate your asphalt needs, it’s time to get measuring. Asphalt driveways typically measure between 200 and 800 square feet. To measure your driveway, follow these steps.
Measure the total length of the driveway in feet
Measure the total width of the driveway in feet
Multiply the length by the width to get the total square footage of the driveway
Multiply the square footage by the number of inches (converted to feet) to get the total cubic footage of asphalt needed
Divide by 27 to get the number of cubic yards needed
For example, a driveway that measures 10 feet by 20 feet would equal 200 square feet. If you wanted a 4-inch-thick driveway, you would multiply 200 by 0.33, which is 4 inches converted to feet for a total area of 66.7 cubic yards. Then, you’d divide that number by 27 to get a total of 2.5 cubic yards of asphalt.
If the area for asphalt installation is circular, follow these steps to measure the area for paving.
To find the outer radius, measure the distance from the circle's center to the outer edge.
Multiply the radius by itself.
To determine the square footage of the area, multiply the result by pi (3.14).
Follow the above steps to reach the cubic yards of asphalt needed for the circular area.
The process of measuring an asphalt patio or walking path is the same as measuring a driveway. However, patios and paths are generally smaller than driveways.
Asphalt installation generally isn’t a DIY-friendly project unless you have prior experience pouring and installing the material. In most cases, hiring an asphalt paving contractor is the best option. To find the right pro for your job, compare quotes from several companies to see which one best suits your budget. Also consider experience, former customer reviews, and recommendations from friends or family members when hiring a local driveway paving company.
Archie did a good job cleaning up the driveway before he laid down the sealer. It looks good. He was gracious and even helped me bring up my groceries. His rate was comparable to another company who came out to give me a quote and he talked to me personally rather than just text me a quote...
Pro Seal Roofing & PavingD1 Roofing delivers outstanding service from beginning to end, backed by a strong warranty and expert teams. I highly recommend them for their excellence in meeting and surpassing expectations with unmatched communication. Choosing D1 Roofing was flawless decision
Division 1 Roofing LLCFirst of all, the gentleman I dealt with (Cam?) was very responsive to my many questions and concerns throughout the project, which is a huge plus to me. From the first time I met him for the estimate all the way til the completion of the job, he and his crew were professional and respectful....
All Star Paving and SealingWe had a 20+ year old landscape lighting system that needed replacement. Midwest Lightscapes worked with us to design a much improved lighting system, lighting the exterior of the house and the back yard. Installation of the 45 light system took one and one-half days, and went very smoothly....
Midwest LightscapesWorking with Peter and his crew was a breeze. They were exceptionally polite and did a neat job to repair and seal our driveway. I will definitely talk to them first for additional work.
Central PavingWe hired Jim to replace our hardwood floors with new hardwood. He and his helper Jerry did a fantastic job. Their work ethic is impeccable!! We would highly recommend McColl Floors!
The preformed a really good job the staff is incredible never been so happy with my home, A brand new driveway is like a face lift!!
Pristine PavingCalled Mark on a Thursday morning. Not really knowing if he could help me or not. I was having driveway, flooding issues due to a clogged channel drain and I was trying to figure out what direction to take. Heavy rains had come on Monday and again on Thursday leading to flooding in my garage...
Mark Rodgers ConstructionHad already met with 2 other contractors before Blue Ring, and Blue Ring's price quote for the work was better than either of the other 2, and the came out the next morning and cleaned up a very large fallen tree branch from a storm that was blocking my driveway. Work was completed in...
Blue Ring Residential Services, LLCFrom average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.
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