How Much Does 22 Tons of Asphalt Cover?
How much does 22 tons of asphalt cover: about 1,821 square feet at 2 inches compacted and about 1,214 square feet at 3 inches, using 145 pounds per cubic foot. Thinner overlays stretch it further.
Asphalt tonnage calculator →Coverage by thickness
| Thickness | Square feet | Square yards |
|---|---|---|
| 1.5 in | 2,428 | 270 |
| 2 in | 1,821 | 202 |
| 2.5 in | 1,457 | 162 |
| 3 in | 1,214 | 135 |
| 4 in | 910 | 101 |
The math
- 22 tons × 2,000 = 44,000 lb.
- ÷ 145 lb per cu ft = 303.4 cu ft.
- ÷ (2 ÷ 12) ft = 1,821 sq ft at 2 inches.
Sizing it up
1,214 square feet is about a 34 by 34 foot square, or a 12-foot-wide strip about 101 feet long at 3 inches. That is typical of a residential driveway.
Things to keep in mind
- Density varies from about 140 to 150 lb per cubic foot by mix.
- Waste and base dips use 5 to 10 percent more.
- Truck loads: 22 tons is about 2 typical tandem load.
Use the asphalt tonnage calculator for exact sizes.
When to choose asphalt
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
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 15x30 area at 2 inches takes about 5.6 tons.
- Weight used here: about 2.0 tons per cubic yard (roughly 145 lb per compacted cubic foot).
Common estimating mistakes
- Using inches as if they were feet. Depth has to be divided by 12 before you multiply; skipping that step inflates the order twelvefold.
- Ordering exactly the math. Uneven ground and spillage nearly always need a little more than the flat calculation.
- Forgetting that compaction shrinks loose material. A loose 4-inch spread of a dense-graded stone may finish closer to 3 inches after rolling.
- 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 square feet does 22 tons of asphalt cover at 2 inches?
About 1,821 square feet.
At 3 inches?
About 1,214 square feet.
At 1.5 inches?
About 2,428 square feet.
What density is assumed?
145 lb per compacted cubic foot.
Should I order extra?
Many estimators add 5 to 10 percent.
Related guides
- How Many Square Feet Does a Ton of Asphalt Cover?
- How Many Tons of Asphalt per 1,000 Square Feet?
- How Many Square Yards Does a Ton of Asphalt Cover?
- How Much Does 20 Tons of Asphalt Cover?
- How Much Does 21 Tons of Asphalt Cover?
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