Tons of Asphalt for 800 Square Feet

Tons of asphalt for 800 square feet: about 9.7 tons at 2 inches compacted and about 14.5 tons at 3 inches, figured at roughly 145 pounds per cubic foot. That is 89 square yards of pavement.

Asphalt tonnage calculator →

Tons by thickness

Thickness	Tons	Tons +5%
1.5 in	7.2	7.6
2 in	9.7	10.2
2.5 in	12.1	12.7
3 in	14.5	15.2
4 in	19.3	20.3

How the numbers are built

800 sq ft × (2 ÷ 12) ft = 133 cubic feet at 2 inches.
× 145 lb = 19,333 lb.
÷ 2,000 = 9.7 tons.

Rule of thumb: roughly 6 tons per 1,000 square feet for every inch of thickness. See tons of asphalt per 1,000 square feet.

What size job this is

An area this size is a typical one- or two-car residential driveway. A compacted stone base under the asphalt is ordered separately.

Trucks and ordering

At 3 inches, 14.5 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.

Good and poor uses for asphalt

Good uses:

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 14x28 area at 3 inches takes about 7.3 tons.
Weight used here: about 2.0 tons per cubic yard (roughly 145 lb per compacted cubic foot).

Mistakes that throw off the order

Ordering exactly the math. Uneven ground and spillage nearly always need a little more than the flat calculation.
Measuring only the main rectangle. Aprons, turnouts and curved edges add real square footage.
Skipping drainage. Water sitting under any surface softens the base and leads to ruts and potholes.
Ignoring the base. A thin surface layer over soft soil fails early no matter how much material is on top.

Questions people ask

How many tons of asphalt for 800 square feet at 2 inches?

About 9.7 tons.

How many tons for 800 square feet at 3 inches?

About 14.5 tons.

How many square yards is 800 square feet?

About 89 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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