Asphalt for a 12 × 24 Driveway
A 12 × 24 ft standard one-car driveway is 288 sq ft. It needs about 3.7 tons of asphalt at 2 inches, 5.5 tons at 3 inches or 7.3 tons at 4 inches, including 5% for waste. A new driveway this size typically costs $1,129–$1,800 installed.
A 12 × 24 ft driveway is a common one-car size for a short front setback: room for one car to park clear of the sidewalk, with a little door clearance. It is also this site’s default example.
| Thickness | Tons | Cubic yards | 15-ton trucks | Material at $121/t |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 in | 3.7 | 1.87 | 1 | $442 |
| 3 in | 5.5 | 2.80 | 1 | $663 |
| 4 in | 7.3 | 3.73 | 1 | $884 |
Open in the asphalt calculator Price this driveway
Cost of a 12 × 24 asphalt driveway
| Job | Typical installed cost |
|---|---|
| New driveway (incl. base work) | $1,129–$1,800 |
| Resurface existing asphalt | $576–$1,440 |
| Professional sealcoating | $49–$69 |
Ranges are 288 sq ft × typical prices per square foot ($3.92–$6.25 new, $2–$5 resurfacing; LawnStarter, 2026). For a figure with your own prices and base depth, use the asphalt driveway cost calculator.
Other materials for this size
- Gravel base: 5.0 tons for 4 inches, 7.5 tons for 6 inches.
- Sealer: about 8.2 gallons (2 pails of 4.75 gal) for two coats at 70 sq ft per gallon per coat. See the sealer calculator.
- Millings instead of hot mix: about 7.5 tons for a 4-inch compacted layer. See the millings calculator.
Notes for a 12 × 24 driveway
- 12 ft is a comfortable single-lane width; 10 ft works but leaves little room to step out of the car onto pavement.
- Resurfacing a 288 sq ft driveway with a 2" overlay takes under 4 tons, so the job is usually priced by the hour or as a minimum, not by the ton.
- Check the apron where the driveway meets the street. Many towns set the apron material and thickness, and some require a permit.
Frequently asked questions
How many tons of asphalt for a 12x24 driveway?
A 12 × 24 ft driveway is 288 sq ft. Including 5% for waste, it takes about 3.7 tons of asphalt at 2 inches thick, 5.5 tons at 3 inches and 7.3 tons at 4 inches (145 lb/ft³).
How much does a 12x24 asphalt driveway cost?
At typical 2026 prices of $3.92–$6.25 per sq ft, a new 12 × 24 ft asphalt driveway costs about $1,129–$1,800 installed. Resurfacing a sound existing driveway runs about $576–$1,440.
How many cubic yards of asphalt for a 12x24 driveway?
About 1.87 cubic yards at 2 inches, 2.80 at 3 inches and 3.73 at 4 inches, including 5% waste.
How much gravel goes under a 12x24 driveway?
A 4-inch compacted gravel base is about 3.6 cubic yards (5.0 tons); a 6-inch base is about 5.3 cubic yards (7.5 tons), at 1.4 tons per cubic yard.
Other driveway sizes
Related calculators
Sources
- LawnStarter: How much does an asphalt driveway cost? (Oct 19, 2026)
- LawnStarter: Cost to resurface an asphalt driveway (2026 edition (no day shown))