Tons of Asphalt for 1,500 Square Feet

Tons of asphalt for 1,500 square feet: about 18.1 tons at 2 inches compacted and about 27.2 tons at 3 inches, figured at roughly 145 pounds per cubic foot. That is 167 square yards of pavement.

Asphalt tonnage calculator →

Tons by thickness

Thickness	Tons	Tons +5%
1.5 in	13.6	14.3
2 in	18.1	19.0
2.5 in	22.7	23.8
3 in	27.2	28.5
4 in	36.2	38.1

How the numbers are built

1,500 sq ft × (2 ÷ 12) ft = 250 cubic feet at 2 inches.
× 145 lb = 36,250 lb.
÷ 2,000 = 18.1 tons.

A shortcut: each inch of compacted asphalt over 1,000 square feet weighs about 6 tons. 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. Overlays often run 1.5 to 2 inches; new work 2 to 3 inches.

Trucks and ordering

At 3 inches, 27.2 tons is about 3 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 15x30 area at 4 inches takes about 11.1 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.
Measuring only the main rectangle. Aprons, turnouts and curved edges add real square footage.
Ignoring the base. A thin surface layer over soft soil fails early no matter how much material is on top.
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 1,500 square feet at 2 inches?

About 18.1 tons.

How many tons for 1,500 square feet at 3 inches?

About 27.2 tons.

How many square yards is 1,500 square feet?

About 167 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.

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