Methodology
Every calculator on this site uses the same small, tested math library. This page lists the formulas, the defaults and where each typical price comes from. Prices last checked November 6, 2026; we review them every year.
Formulas
Volume (ft³) = Area × Thickness (in) ÷ 12
Volume with waste = Volume × (1 + waste % ÷ 100)
Tons (US) = Volume × Density (lb/ft³) ÷ 2,000
Cubic yards = ft³ ÷ 27 · Metric tonnes = tons × 0.90718 · m³ = ft³ ÷ 35.315
Truckloads = Tons ÷ Truck size, rounded up
Cost = Tons × Price per ton · Cost per ft² = Cost ÷ Area
Metric inputs are converted exactly (1 m = 3.28084 ft, 1 in = 2.54 cm, 1 lb/ft³ = 16.0185 kg/m³) before the same math runs.
Defaults and assumptions
| Input | Default | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Hot-mix asphalt density | 145 lb/ft³ (2,323 kg/m³) | Middle-high of Nebraska DOT's 120–148 lb/ft³ range; the figure most asphalt calculators use |
| Thickness | 2 in (tons calculator), 3 in (cost calculator) | Common overlay and new-driveway thicknesses; always editable |
| Waste | 5% | Common estimating allowance; use more for small or irregular areas |
| Truck size | 15 tons (14 tonnes) | Placeholder for a typical dump truck; use your supplier's figure |
| Millings density | 130 lb/ft³ | Middle of NYC's 120–140 lb/ft³; Nebraska DOT uses 144 |
| Millings compaction | 20% extra | Our assumption for settling when rolled; set to 0 for loose depth |
| Base gravel | 1.4 tons per yd³; 6 in deep | Our assumption for compacted crushed stone; cost guides recommend 4–8 in of base |
| Sealer coverage | 70 ft² per gallon per coat; 4.75-gal pails; 2 coats | Our planning default; product labels vary, so the field is editable. SealMaster lists 50–60 ft² per gallon for two coats of its concentrate |
Typical prices
| Figure | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Asphalt material per ton | $92.50–$150, avg $121 | LawnStarter, Oct 19, 2026 |
| New asphalt driveway, installed | $3.92–$6.25/ft² | LawnStarter, Oct 19, 2026 |
| Resurfacing, installed | $2–$5/ft² | LawnStarter, 2026 |
| Professional sealcoating | $0.17–$0.24/ft² | LawnStarter, Oct 19, 2026 |
| Concrete driveway, installed | $6–$16/ft² ($8–$20 per Angi) | LawnStarter, Dec 27, 2025; Angi, 2026 |
| Crushed limestone | $30–$40/ton | LawnStarter, Oct 5, 2026 |
| Public plant-mix bids | $63–$114.75/ton | Kitsap County, WA and Grayson County, TX, 2026 |
Installed ranges are area × price per square foot. They do not include removal of an old driveway, unusual grading or drainage, permits, or minimum charges for small jobs.
Testing
The math library has automated unit tests for every shape, volume, tonnage, cubic-yard and metric conversion, waste, truckload, sealer and millings calculation. One test reproduces a published worked example from Inch Calculator's asphalt calculator (10 × 20 ft at 3 in and 145 lb/ft³ = 50 ft³, 7,250 lb, 3.625 tons), and our result matches exactly.
Limits
- Results are estimates, not quotes. Prices vary by region, season, mix and job size.
- Thickness means compacted thickness. Crews place loose mix thicker so it rolls down to size.
- Curved or irregular areas are approximated by the shapes you enter.
Spot a problem? Tell us and we'll fix it.
Sources
- LawnStarter: How much does an asphalt driveway cost? (Oct 19, 2026)
- LawnStarter: Cost to resurface an asphalt driveway (2026 edition (no day shown))
- LawnStarter: How much does a concrete driveway cost? (Dec 27, 2025)
- Angi: How much does a concrete driveway cost? (2026 data (no day shown))
- LawnStarter: Gravel driveway cost (Oct 5, 2026)
- Grayson County, TX: 2026-03 asphalt materials bid tabulation (March 2026)
- Kitsap County, WA: Bid 2026-002, hot mix asphalt (2026)
- Nebraska DOT: Estimating material quantities (Design guide (undated))
- NYC Office of Environmental Remediation: Asphalt millings bank fact sheet (Feb 1, 2021)
- SealMaster: Coal tar pavement sealer (product page) (Checked Nov 6, 2026)
- Inch Calculator: Cost to install an asphalt driveway (Last modified Jul 18, 2023)