How Many Tons of Asphalt for a 28x90 Parking Area?
How many tons of asphalt for a 28x90 parking area: plan on about 30.4 tons at 2 inches compacted or 45.7 tons at 3 inches. Those figures come from 2,520 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 28x90
- Area: 28 ft × 90 ft = 2,520 sq ft.
- Thickness in feet: 3 inches ÷ 12 = 0.25 ft.
- Volume: 2,520 × 0.25 = 630 cubic feet.
- Weight: 630 × 145 lb = 91,350 lb.
- Tons: divide by 2,000 = 45.7 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 | 420 | 30.4 | 32.0 |
| 2.5 in | 525 | 38.1 | 40.0 |
| 3 in | 630 | 45.7 | 48.0 |
| 4 in | 840 | 60.9 | 63.9 |
Which thickness to plan
Residential parking areas are commonly paved at 2 to 3 inches of compacted surface over a compacted stone base. Overlays on sound old pavement are often 1.5 to 2 inches. If heavy trucks, an RV or a delivery vehicle will use the parking area, many contractors step up to 3 or 4 inches total, sometimes as a binder course plus a surface course.
Ordering and trucks
Hot mix is sold by the ton and arrives in dump trucks that commonly haul 10 to 20 tons each. For 45.7 tons at 3 inches, figure roughly 4 loads 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.
Where asphalt fits
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 8x16 area at 3 inches takes about 2.4 tons.
- Weight used here: about 2.0 tons per cubic yard (roughly 145 lb per compacted cubic foot).
Mistakes that throw off the order
- Ordering exactly the math. Uneven ground and spillage nearly always need a little more than the flat calculation.
- Skipping drainage. Water sitting under any surface softens the base and leads to ruts and potholes.
- Assuming every supplier uses the same weight. Two yards selling the same product name can quote different tons per yard.
- Mixing up cubic yards and tons. Yards are volume, tons are weight; convert with the product’s weight per yard.
Questions people ask
How many tons of asphalt for a 28x90 parking area at 2 inches?
About 30.4 tons of compacted asphalt, or around 32.0 tons with a 5 percent allowance.
How many tons for a 28x90 parking area at 3 inches?
About 45.7 tons at 145 lb per cubic foot.
How many square feet is a 28x90 parking area?
2,520 square feet, or about 280 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.
Related guides
- How Many Square Feet Does a Ton of Asphalt Cover?
- How Many Tons in a Truckload of Asphalt?
- How to Convert Square Feet to Asphalt Tons
- How Many Tons of Asphalt per 1,000 Square Feet?
- How Many Tons of Asphalt for a 28x70 Parking Area?
- How Many Tons of Asphalt for a 28x80 Parking Area?
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