How many tons of asphalt millings do I need?

Area × compacted depth in feet ÷ 27 gives cubic yards; add about 20% and multiply by about 1.69 tons per yard (125 lb/ft³). A 60 × 12 ft driveway 3 in deep is 6.67 yd³ compacted, 8 yd³ with 20% extra, about 13.5 tons.

How much does a yard of asphalt millings weigh?

The FHWA reports milled recycled asphalt at 120–140 lb per cubic foot in the stockpile and a maximum dry density of 100–125 lb per cubic foot when compacted — about 1.35 to 1.69 tons per compacted cubic yard.

How deep should asphalt millings be for a driveway?

About 3 to 4 in compacted over a firm, well-drained gravel base. On soft ground build the gravel base first — the gravel driveway calculator sizes it — because millings alone will rut where the subgrade is weak.

How much area does a ton of asphalt millings cover?

At 125 lb/ft³, a ton covers about 64 sq ft at 3 in compacted and 48 sq ft at 4 in, before the extra for compaction and edges.

Do asphalt millings harden?

They pack hard rather than set like new asphalt: the old binder softens in summer heat and the pieces knit together under traffic and rolling. Compacting in thin lifts and rolling on a warm day gives the firmest surface.

Driveway

Asphalt Millings Calculator

Asphalt millings are ground-up old asphalt pavement, sold by the ton as a cheap driveway surface that packs hard. Enter the area and the finished, compacted depth for the cubic yards and tons to order, using the Federal Highway Administration's figures for the weight of compacted recycled asphalt.

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Worked example: 60 × 12 ft driveway, 3 in compacted

Step	Working	Result
Compacted volume	60 × 12 × 0.25 ÷ 27	6.67 yd³
Add 20%	6.67 × 1.20	8.00 yd³
Tons at 125 lb/ft³	8.00 × 27 × 125 ÷ 2,000	13.5 tons
Tons at 100 lb/ft³ (light end)	8.00 × 27 × 100 ÷ 2,000	10.8 tons

Where the weights come from

The Federal Highway Administration's User Guidelines for Waste and Byproduct Materials in Pavement Construction(FHWA-RD-97-148) reports that milled or processed recycled asphalt pavement (RAP) weighs 120 to 140 lb per cubic foot, and that compacted RAP reaches a maximum dry density of 100 to 125 lb per cubic foot. The calculator orders at the top of the compacted range so you are not left short, and shows the light end beside it.

Laying millings

Start on a firm, crowned base — the gravel driveway calculator sizes the stone layers.
Spread 2–3 in at a time, mist with water and roll or plate-compact each lift.
Lay it in warm weather: the old binder softens and the pieces knit together under traffic.

Get the Gravel & Stone Calculator app for Android

Estimate gravel, stone, sand, and mulch on the job site, save projects, and share quantities with your supplier.

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Frequently asked questions

How many tons of asphalt millings do I need?: Area × compacted depth in feet ÷ 27 gives cubic yards; add about 20% and multiply by about 1.69 tons per yard (125 lb/ft³). A 60 × 12 ft driveway 3 in deep is 6.67 yd³ compacted, 8 yd³ with 20% extra, about 13.5 tons.
How much does a yard of asphalt millings weigh?: The FHWA reports milled recycled asphalt at 120–140 lb per cubic foot in the stockpile and a maximum dry density of 100–125 lb per cubic foot when compacted — about 1.35 to 1.69 tons per compacted cubic yard.
How deep should asphalt millings be for a driveway?: About 3 to 4 in compacted over a firm, well-drained gravel base. On soft ground build the gravel base first — the gravel driveway calculator sizes it — because millings alone will rut where the subgrade is weak.
How much area does a ton of asphalt millings cover?: At 125 lb/ft³, a ton covers about 64 sq ft at 3 in compacted and 48 sq ft at 4 in, before the extra for compaction and edges.
Do asphalt millings harden?: They pack hard rather than set like new asphalt: the old binder softens in summer heat and the pieces knit together under traffic and rolling. Compacting in thin lifts and rolling on a warm day gives the firmest surface.