How much asphalt do I need for a 10×20 driveway?
A 10 × 20 ft driveway is 200 square feet. Paved 3 inches thick, the standard for a new residential driveway, it takes 3.8 tons of hot-mix asphalt including 5 percent extra, over a 6 in gravel base of 6.1 tons (4.1 cubic yards). A 2 in overlay on existing pavement needs 2.5 tons; a 4 in driveway for trucks or an RV needs 5.1.
Asphalt for a 10×20 driveway by thickness
| Asphalt thickness | Tons of hot mix (5% extra) | Compacted volume | Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 in | 2.5 | 1.23 cu yd | overlay on existing pavement |
| 3 in | 3.8 | 1.85 cu yd | new residential driveway |
| 4 in | 5.1 | 2.47 cu yd | trucks, RV, heavy use |
Hot-mix asphalt at 145 lb per cubic foot compacted. A new driveway also needs a gravel base: 6.1 tons for 6 in, or 8.1 tons for 8 in on clay.
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What it costs to pave a 10×20 driveway
Hot mix costs $100 to $200 a ton from the plant, so the 3.8 tons for this driveway is $381 to $761 in asphalt, plus $244 to $367 for the gravel base. Asphalt is not a do-it-yourself material, though: it arrives at 300 °F and must be spread and rolled within minutes, so the real number is the installed price. Contractors typically quote $7 to $13 per square foot for a new driveway with base, grading, and compaction, or $1,400 to $2,600 for 200 square feet. A 2 in overlay on sound existing asphalt runs $3 to $5 per square foot, about $600 to $1,000. Get three quotes and ask each for the thickness in writing.
Overlay, resurface, or replace a 10×20 driveway?
- Sealcoat ($0.15 to $0.40 per square foot, $30 to $80) if the surface is gray and dry but not cracked. It is cosmetic protection, not a repair.
- Overlay 1.5 to 2 in of new asphalt over the old (2.5 tons) if the base is solid and cracks are minor. Expect 8 to 12 years.
- Replace when there are alligator cracks, potholes, or sinking spots. Those mean the base has failed and new asphalt on top will fail the same way within a few years.
- A concrete driveway of the same size would need about 2.7 cubic yards at 4 in; compare with the concrete calculator. Concrete costs more up front and lasts longer.
Common questions
How many tons of asphalt for a 10x20 driveway?
3.8 tons at 3 inches thick, 2.5 tons at 2 inches, or 5.1 tons at 4 inches, using 145 lb per cubic foot with 5 percent extra. Multiply 200 square feet by the thickness in feet, then by 145 lb, and divide by 2,000.
How much gravel under a 10x20 asphalt driveway?
6.1 tons, or 4.1 cubic yards, for a 6 in compacted base, the usual depth for cars. On clay or soft soil use 8 in, about 8.1 tons.
How much does it cost to pave a 10x20 driveway?
About $1,400 to $2,600 installed for a new 3 in asphalt driveway with base, or $600 to $1,000 for a 2 in overlay on existing pavement. Material alone is $381 to $761 for the asphalt and $244 to $367 for gravel.