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Tons of Asphalt for 1,300 Square Feet

Tons of asphalt for 1,300 square feet: about 15.7 tons at 2 inches compacted and about 23.6 tons at 3 inches, figured at roughly 145 pounds per cubic foot. That is 144 square yards of pavement.

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Tons by thickness

ThicknessTonsTons +5%
1.5 in11.812.4
2 in15.716.5
2.5 in19.620.6
3 in23.624.7
4 in31.433.0

How the numbers are built

  1. 1,300 sq ft × (2 ÷ 12) ft = 217 cubic feet at 2 inches.
  2. × 145 lb = 31,417 lb.
  3. ÷ 2,000 = 15.7 tons.

Quick check: about 0.006 tons per square foot per inch. See tons of asphalt per 1,000 square feet.

Putting the area in context

This is a large residential driveway or a small commercial lot. A compacted stone base under the asphalt is ordered separately.

Trucks and ordering

At 3 inches, 23.6 tons is about 2 truckloads at around 14 tons each. Plants set minimum orders and charge for hauling; see asphalt hauling cost per ton.

Things that move the total

  • Mix density typically runs 140 to 150 lb per cubic foot.
  • Base condition: dips and ruts fill with extra mix.
  • Waste of 5 to 10 percent is a common allowance.

Run exact numbers with the asphalt tonnage calculator.

When to choose asphalt

Best suited to:

  • 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 3 inches takes about 3.7 tons.
  • Weight used here: about 2.0 tons per cubic yard (roughly 145 lb per compacted cubic foot).

Where estimates go wrong

  • Ignoring the base. A thin surface layer over soft soil fails early no matter how much material is on top.
  • Using inches as if they were feet. Depth has to be divided by 12 before you multiply; skipping that step inflates the order twelvefold.
  • 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 1,300 square feet at 2 inches?

About 15.7 tons.

How many tons for 1,300 square feet at 3 inches?

About 23.6 tons.

How many square yards is 1,300 square feet?

About 144 square yards.

What density is used here?

145 lb per compacted cubic foot, a common planning figure.

Should I add extra?

Most estimators add 5 to 10 percent for waste and uneven base.

Related guides

Open the asphalt tonnage calculator → Base and gravel calculator →

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