How Many Tons of Asphalt for a 9x20 Driveway?
How many tons of asphalt for a 9x20 driveway: plan on about 2.2 tons at 2 inches compacted or 3.3 tons at 3 inches. Those figures come from 180 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 9x20
- Area: 9 ft × 20 ft = 180 sq ft.
- Thickness in feet: 3 inches ÷ 12 = 0.25 ft.
- Volume: 180 × 0.25 = 45 cubic feet.
- Weight: 45 × 145 lb = 6,525 lb.
- Tons: divide by 2,000 = 3.3 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 | 30 | 2.2 | 2.3 |
| 2.5 in | 38 | 2.7 | 2.9 |
| 3 in | 45 | 3.3 | 3.4 |
| 4 in | 60 | 4.3 | 4.6 |
What thickness fits this job
Thickness is set by traffic and base. Cars on a well-compacted base get by with 2 to 3 inches. A driveway that sees heavy deliveries or sits on soft soil needs more, either thicker asphalt or a deeper base, and a contractor may split it into two lifts.
Ordering and trucks
At 3 inches, 3.3 tons is about 1 tandem-axle load if a truck carries around 14 tons, though legal loads vary by state and truck. Plants often have minimum orders, and small jobs may carry a short-load charge. 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
Works well for:
- 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
Poor fit 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 4 inches takes about 4.9 tons.
- Weight used here: about 2.0 tons per cubic yard (roughly 145 lb per compacted cubic foot).
Mistakes that throw off the order
- Skipping drainage. Water sitting under any surface softens the base and leads to ruts and potholes.
- Mixing up cubic yards and tons. Yards are volume, tons are weight; convert with the product’s weight per yard.
- Measuring only the main rectangle. Aprons, turnouts and curved edges add real square footage.
- Assuming every supplier uses the same weight. Two yards selling the same product name can quote different tons per yard.
Questions people ask
How many tons of asphalt for a 9x20 driveway at 2 inches?
About 2.2 tons of compacted asphalt, or around 2.3 tons with a 5 percent allowance.
How many tons for a 9x20 driveway at 3 inches?
About 3.3 tons at 145 lb per cubic foot.
How many square feet is a 9x20 driveway?
180 square feet, or about 20 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?
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