How Many Tons of Asphalt for a 26x20 Parking Area?

How many tons of asphalt for a 26x20 parking area: plan on about 6.3 tons at 2 inches compacted or 9.4 tons at 3 inches. Those figures come from 520 square feet of surface and a typical compacted density near 145 lb per cubic foot. Your plant’s mix design may run a little heavier or lighter.

Asphalt tonnage calculator →

Step-by-step math for 26x20

Area: 26 ft × 20 ft = 520 sq ft.
Thickness in feet: 3 inches ÷ 12 = 0.25 ft.
Volume: 520 × 0.25 = 130 cubic feet.
Weight: 130 × 145 lb = 18,850 lb.
Tons: divide by 2,000 = 9.4 tons.

Swap in your own thickness and the plant’s stated density if you have it. The asphalt tonnage calculator runs the same steps.

Tons at common thicknesses

Compacted thickness	Cubic feet	Tons (145 lb/ft³)	Tons +5%
2 in	87	6.3	6.6
2.5 in	108	7.9	8.2
3 in	130	9.4	9.9
4 in	173	12.6	13.2

Which thickness to plan

An overlay on pavement that is cracked but structurally sound is usually 1.5 to 2 inches. A new parking area on fresh base is more often 2.5 to 3 inches compacted. Where garbage trucks, campers or a loaded pickup will turn, plan on the heavier end and a thicker stone base below.

Ordering and trucks

Hot mix is sold by the ton and arrives in dump trucks that commonly haul 10 to 20 tons each. For 9.4 tons at 3 inches, figure roughly 1 load at about 14 tons apiece. Ask the plant about minimums and the time the mix will hold heat on the haul. See how many tons in a truckload of asphalt for more on load sizes.

Things that change the tonnage

Uneven base. Low spots fill with extra mix. A base that is graded and compacted flat keeps the tonnage close to the math.
Edges and flares. Curved edges, a wider apron at the street or a turnaround add square footage. Measure those separately and add them in.
Density. Mixes typically range from about 140 to 150 lb per compacted cubic foot. Ask your plant for its number if you need tight figures.
Waste. Many estimators add 5 to 10 percent for handling, raking and thickness variation.

Pricing it out

Multiply your tonnage by the per-ton price your local plant or contractor quotes. Installed prices also cover base work, equipment and labor, so material tons are only part of the bid. See asphalt cost per ton for what goes into a quote.

When to choose asphalt

Good uses:

Driveways, parking pads and private lanes that need a smooth, sealed surface
Overlays on old pavement that is cracked but still structurally sound
Areas where snow will be plowed, since a paved surface does not throw stone

Think twice for:

Ground that stays soft or wet, unless the base and drainage are fixed first
Very small patches, where bagged cold patch is often simpler
Jobs in cold weather, since hot mix needs warm temperatures to compact properly

Quick reference numbers

Per inch over 100 sq ft: about 0.62 tons of asphalt (0.31 cubic yards).
Per inch over 1,000 sq ft: about 6.2 tons.
Another size for comparison: a 10x20 area at 2 inches takes about 2.5 tons.
Weight used here: about 2.0 tons per cubic yard (roughly 145 lb per compacted cubic foot).

Common estimating mistakes

Skipping drainage. Water sitting under any surface softens the base and leads to ruts and potholes.
Using inches as if they were feet. Depth has to be divided by 12 before you multiply; skipping that step inflates the order twelvefold.
Forgetting that compaction shrinks loose material. A loose 4-inch spread of a dense-graded stone may finish closer to 3 inches after rolling.
Ordering exactly the math. Uneven ground and spillage nearly always need a little more than the flat calculation.

Questions people ask

How many tons of asphalt for a 26x20 parking area at 2 inches?

About 6.3 tons of compacted asphalt, or around 6.6 tons with a 5 percent allowance.

How many tons for a 26x20 parking area at 3 inches?

About 9.4 tons at 145 lb per cubic foot.

How many square feet is a 26x20 parking area?

520 square feet, or about 58 square yards.

Does the stone base count in the asphalt tonnage?

No. The base is ordered separately, usually as crushed stone or road base by the ton. The base calculator handles that part.

What density should I use?

About 145 lb per cubic foot is a common planning figure for compacted hot mix. Your plant may give a slightly different number.

As an Amazon Associate, AsphaltTons.com earns from qualifying purchases. Product links below are sponsored.