How Much Asphalt Millings for a 20x50 Driveway?

A 20 by 50 foot driveway is 1,000 square feet. How much asphalt millings for a 20x50 driveway depends on depth: at 4 inches it is about 12.35 cubic yards or 16.0 tons. Suppliers usually sell by the ton, so the tonnage is the number to give them.

Volume and tonnage calculator →

The math for a 20x50 driveway

Area: 20 × 50 = 1,000 sq ft.
Depth in feet: 4 ÷ 12 = 0.333 ft.
Cubic feet: 1,000 × 0.333 = 333.3 cu ft.
Cubic yards: ÷ 27 = 12.35 yd³.
Tons: × 1.3 = 16.0 tons.

The volume and tonnage calculator does this for any size.

Asphalt millings needed by depth

Depth	Cubic yards	Tons (approx.)	Tons +10%
3 in	9.26	12.0	13.2
4 in	12.35	16.0	17.7
6 in	18.52	24.1	26.5

About asphalt millings

Asphalt millings are ground-up old pavement. When compacted and warmed by sun they bind into a fairly firm surface, which is why they are popular for rural drives and lots. Ask your supplier for their own tons-per-yard figure, since stone source and moisture shift it.

Preparing the driveway

Strip sod and soft topsoil, grade for drainage and compact the subgrade before any stone goes down. Gravel drives last longer with a compacted base layer under the top stone and a slight crown so water runs off. Since the driveway carries car and truck traffic, a little extra depth is cheap insurance.

Ordering tips

Round up. Compaction and uneven ground eat material. Adding about 10 percent is common.
Delivery size. 17.7 tons may take more than one typical dump truck load; small loads may carry a delivery fee. See how many tons of gravel in a dump truck.
Bulk vs bags. At this size bulk delivery is usually the practical choice.
Where it drops. Have the truck dump as close to the driveway as firm ground allows.

Where asphalt millings fits

Works well for:

Rural driveways and farm lanes
Parking areas where a dust-free surface is wanted
Low-cost base under a future paved surface

Think twice for:

Areas near wells or streams where local rules limit them
Decorative or barefoot areas
Jobs needing a uniform, clean look

Quick reference numbers

Per inch over 100 sq ft: about 0.40 tons of asphalt millings (0.31 cubic yards).
Per inch over 1,000 sq ft: about 4.0 tons.
Another size for comparison: a 15x30 area at 3 inches takes about 5.4 tons.
Weight used here: about 1.3 tons per cubic yard.

Common estimating mistakes

Ignoring the base. A thin surface layer over soft soil fails early no matter how much material is on top.
Skipping drainage. Water sitting under any surface softens the base and leads to ruts and potholes.
Ordering exactly the math. Uneven ground and spillage nearly always need a little more than the flat calculation.
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 millings for a 20x50 driveway?

About 16.0 tons at 4 inches deep, or 17.7 tons with 10 percent extra.

How many cubic yards is a 20x50 driveway at 4 inches?

About 12.35 cubic yards.

How much does a cubic yard of asphalt millings weigh?

Usually around 1.2 to 1.4 loose tons, depending on stone size, fines and moisture.

How deep should asphalt millings be for a driveway?

The table above shows 3 to 6 inches. Shallower depths suit top dressing; deeper depths suit new installs and heavier use.

How many square feet is 20x50?

1,000 square feet.

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