Quick answer
Hot mix asphalt costs about $100 to $150 per ton at the plant in 2026, before delivery; base and binder mixes run $90 to $130. Asphalt millings cost $15 to $40 per ton. A 1.5-inch overlay on one 12 ft lane-mile takes about 574 tons, roughly $92,000 placed at $160 per ton.
Asphalt prices per ton in 2026
| Material | Price per ton | Used for |
|---|---|---|
| Surface hot mix | $100–$150 | Top course on driveways, lots and roads |
| Base / binder hot mix | $90–$130 | Lower course on heavy-duty pavements |
| Warm mix asphalt | Similar to hot mix | Cooler placement, longer haul times |
| Asphalt millings | $15–$40 | Driveways, paths, sub-base |
| Cold patch (bagged) | $15–$25 per 50 lb bag | Pothole and small repairs |
Plant-gate prices before delivery; national averages. Older guides that quote $40–$80 a ton reflect prices from several years ago. Always confirm with your local plant.
Asphalt overlay cost
Example: 5,000 sq ft at 1.5 inches is about 45 tons. At $120 per ton plus $40 per ton to haul and place, the overlay costs about $7,250, or $1.45 per square foot. Milling off the old surface, crack repair and tack coat are extra.
Cost to pave a mile of road
| Thickness | Tons per 12 ft lane-mile | Material at $120/ton | Placed at $160/ton |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.5 in | 574 | $68,900 | $91,900 |
| 2 in | 766 | $91,900 | $122,500 |
| 3 in | 1,148 | $137,800 | $183,700 |
A two-lane road is two lane-miles per mile. Full-depth new construction, with excavation, base, drainage and engineering, costs many times more than an overlay.
What drives the price of asphalt
- Crude oil. Binder is typically 5–6% of the mix by weight but a large share of the cost.
- Haul distance. Hot mix must arrive hot, which limits how far it can travel.
- Order size and season. Small orders and peak-season jobs cost more per ton.
- Mix specification. Polymer-modified and high-traffic mixes cost more.
To find how many tons your job needs, use the asphalt calculator, or see installed prices in the cost per square foot calculator.
Frequently asked questions
How much is asphalt per ton in 2026?
Hot mix asphalt commonly costs about $100 to $150 per ton at the plant in 2026, with base and binder mixes a little cheaper than surface mixes. Delivery, placement and compaction add to that for a finished job.
How much does it cost to pave a mile of road?
A single 12 ft lane-mile at 1.5 inches thick takes about 574 tons of hot mix. At $120 per ton plus $40 per ton to haul and place it, that is roughly $92,000 per lane-mile for the overlay alone, before milling, tack coat, striping and traffic control.
How much does a 2-inch asphalt overlay cost?
A 2-inch overlay uses about 12 tons per 1,000 sq ft. At $160 per ton placed that is about $1.93 per square foot, before milling or crack repair.
Why do asphalt prices change so much?
The asphalt binder is refined from crude oil, so prices follow oil markets. Distance to the plant, the mix specified, order size, the season and local competition also move the price.
Is cold patch cheaper than hot mix?
Per bag, cold patch is cheap, but per ton it is far more expensive than hot mix, often several hundred dollars a ton. It is best for small repairs where ordering a truck of hot mix makes no sense.