Quick answer
Tons of millings = square feet × depth in inches ÷ 12 × 120 lb/ft³ ÷ 2,000. A 12 × 60 ft driveway at 4 inches needs about 14.4 tons, or 16 tons with 10% extra. One ton of rolled millings covers about 50 sq ft at 4 inches, and millings cost roughly $15 to $40 per ton.
Asphalt millings formula
Millings are sold by the ton like hot mix, but they are lighter because they are not rolled as tightly and have less binder. The calculator uses 120 lb/ft³ for rolled millings by default.
Example: a 12 × 60 ft driveway is 720 sq ft. At 4 inches that is 240 cubic feet. At 120 lb/ft³ it weighs 28,800 lb, or 14.4 tons. Add 10% for settling and uneven ground and order about 16 tons, one tandem truck plus a small second load.
How far a ton of millings goes
| Compacted depth | Sq ft per ton | Tons per 1,000 sq ft |
|---|---|---|
| 2 in | 100 | 10.0 |
| 3 in | 67 | 15.0 |
| 4 in | 50 | 20.0 |
| 6 in | 33 | 30.0 |
Figures assume 120 lb/ft³ and no extra. Use the density slider if your supplier quotes a different weight.
How deep to lay millings
Spread millings about 20–25% thicker than the finished depth, then compact them with a vibratory roller or plate compactor in lifts of no more than 3–4 inches. Wetting them lightly helps them pack. A firm, well-drained subgrade matters more than the depth: millings over soft clay will rut whatever the thickness.
Millings vs hot mix and gravel
Millings usually cost a fraction of new asphalt and less than many crushed stones, and they make less dust than gravel once they settle. They will not give the smooth, sealed surface of hot mix, and they can loosen at edges and in turning areas. For a paved finish, use the asphalt calculator to price hot mix, or convert quantities with the tons to cubic yards converter.
Frequently asked questions
How many tons of millings do I need for a driveway?
Multiply the area in square feet by the compacted depth in feet, then by about 120 lb/ft³, and divide by 2,000. A 12 × 60 ft driveway at 4 inches needs about 14.4 tons, or about 16 tons with 10% extra.
How much area does a ton of asphalt millings cover?
At 120 lb/ft³, one ton of compacted millings covers about 100 sq ft at 2 inches, 67 sq ft at 3 inches and 50 sq ft at 4 inches.
How much does a cubic yard of asphalt millings weigh?
Rolled millings weigh roughly 1.5 to 1.75 tons per cubic yard (about 110–130 lb/ft³). Loose millings in a pile weigh less, closer to 1.3–1.4 tons per cubic yard.
How much do asphalt millings cost?
Millings typically cost about $15 to $40 per ton at the plant, and delivery often adds $50 to $150 per load depending on distance. They are usually far cheaper than new hot mix or crushed stone.
How deep should asphalt millings be for a driveway?
Use about 4 inches compacted for a new millings driveway over firm ground, 2–3 inches to top up an existing gravel or millings drive, and 6 inches or more over soft ground or where trucks drive.
Do asphalt millings harden?
Millings bind together as they are compacted and warmed by the sun, because they still contain some asphalt binder. They never become as hard as new pavement, but a well-rolled millings driveway is firm and sheds dust far better than gravel.