The primary use of asphalt is in road construction, where a customized mixture of aggregates bind together, making asphalt concrete. It is a popular choice for highways, neighborhood roads, parking lots, and other high-traffic areas.
As a preferred paving solution, asphalt offers resiliency in temperate climates. A quality asphalt system maintains control thanks to advancements in technology and aggregate materials.
Along with these various advantages, choosing asphalt for road surfaces is also a cost-effective solution. The cost of asphalt ranges from $1-$5 a square foot without factoring in installation costs.
If conditions are favorable, installation adds $3-$10/sq. ft. However, if the soil conditions are unfavorable or require massive demolition and grading, providers may stack another $2 for every square foot installed. Combine those factors, and the range typically amounts between $4 to $12/sq. ft. for a newly installed asphalt surface.
The biggest contributing factor to calculate the cost of your asphalt surface is size. The more square footage you cover, the higher the total costs. If the surface size is bigger, you can expect a higher price tag. You can also expect that cost to cover required services, including additional grading, materials, excavation, compacting, and paving needed to complete the asphalt roadway. The asphalt paving company you work with will factor in the surface size and any other services they will use during the installation.
Altogether, if you are wondering, “How much does an asphalt driveway cost?” you can expect to pay around $8 a square foot for an average surface or closer to $5 a square foot if you already have a decent base.
Asphalt vs. Concrete Driveway
Determining whether you should install asphalt also includes deciding whether that surface type is the optimal choice for your roadway. For example, many people confuse asphalt with concrete. While the two are similar, there are key differences that distinguish them. Here are a few to help you consider whether asphalt or concrete is the right surface for you.
Though the materials that make-up asphalt and concrete are very different, they are also similar. Both mixtures combine stone and sand with a gravel base. The primary difference lies within the materials used to adhere to the aggregates. Concrete employs cement for adhesion, and asphalt uses petroleum.
Here are a few other defining characteristics of asphalt.
- Asphalt is generally less expensive
- Asphalt uses aggregates that make it a softer material, which works well for a flexible roadway surface
- Concrete is more durable, but asphalt’s soft surface makes it easier to repair
- Concrete typically needs repairs more often because it is less flexible, often cracking in freezing temperatures
- Properly maintain your asphalt surface, and you can avoid extensive repairs
- Recent developments in asphalt technology allow manufacturers to mix-in coloring or seal the asphalt with color tints
- Asphalt material offers 30+ years of use, while concrete offers 50+
- Asphalt can require occasional resurfacing and resealing every three to five years, but these services are easier than those needed to maintain or repair concrete surfaces
Overall, asphalt is an efficient choice for roadway surfaces, especially those in high-traffic areas, thanks to cost-efficiency, visual appearance, and easy maintenance. In contrast, concrete is often the preferred choice for driveways and sidewalks.
If you are ready to plan your upcoming asphalt project, let’s discuss how you can find an asphalt manufacturer.
Asphalt Calculator
As discussed, determining the cost of asphalt depends on the needs of your project. Costs of asphalt also vary by region. Nationwide the average cost of a 24’ x 24’ surface area with a 3” thick installation is $5,758. The cost breakdown includes materials, labor, and installation.
Some additional factors that will impact the cost of asphalt include the following:
How Do I Calculate the Cost of Asphalt?
Factors that Impact the Cost of Asphalt
Asphalt Type
An asphalt calculator will use the type of aggregates and materials used in your surface to determine its true cost. Asphalt type includes aggregate material and technology used to bind the content together.
The aggregates used in asphalt surfaces typically include hard, inert materials such as gravel, slag, crushed stone, rock dust, or sand. These aggregates are the load-supporting components of the surface that combine with binders to cement the material into one combination.
Most asphalt surfaces use a hot mix with some recycled aggregates, if not entirely all recycled materials. However, some asphalt contractors recommend different asphalt mixes depending on the location, traffic, and differences in your situation. The three major types of asphalt mixes are hot, warm, and cold.
Hot mix asphalt is heated and poured at temperatures ranging from 300 to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. It is the most common asphalt used for roadways. A hot mix is also an inexpensive option, thanks to its recycled materials. It is also flexible, which makes it easy to install and repair, reducing costs.
Warm mixes are manufactured between 200-250 degrees and use fewer fossil fuel resources in the manufacturing process. Asphalt contractors will use this application technique because it is less expensive yet more flexible as it cools more slowly than a hot mix. Warm mixes can also ship to locations further-out because contractors can regulate the temperature more easily.
If you are looking for the most affordable repair, cold mixes are a great option. Cold mix asphalt is used mostly for repairs like small cracks, potholes, and patches. It doesn’t require heating for application. Cold mix asphalt is not nearly as strong as a hot mix but works well for small fixes or temporary repairs.
Working with an asphalt contractor, you can consider the differences in your project to customize a distinct mixture. You will need an asphalt mixture that is stiff yet resistant to distortion, as well as flexible and strong enough to resist cracking.
The stiffness and resistance will allow the asphalt to handle applied pressure from motor vehicles. Simultaneously, flexibility prevents most of the damage caused by contrasting pressures exerted while driving on the asphalt.
Along with the type of asphalt mixture, there are different aggregates you can combine for your surface material, including recycled, porous, and colored. Most asphalt surfaces contain some recycled material.
Since asphalt is entirely recyclable, it is common for asphalt mixtures to contain mostly recycled materials to keep costs down. The cost of recycled asphalt ranges from $1 to $4 a square foot.
Other mixtures use newer material along with recycled components. Porous asphalt employs aggregate technology that allows water to run through the asphalt rather than staying on the surface. It works well in locations with heavy rainfall. However, it isn’t always the optimal choice for areas that experience freezing temperatures.
Colored asphalt is a popular option for decorative driveways. This asphalt surface type is available in a wide range of shades and hues. Asphalt companies will add pigment to a hot mix to achieve the chosen color. The cost of colored asphalts ranges between $5 to $7 a square foot on average.
You can discover the right asphalt solution for your surface by working with a professional asphalt contractor. They will help determine which asphalt type will meet the needs of your project, whether it is a high traffic road, parking lot, or another roadway surface.
Asphalt Grade
Another determining factor of how much asphalt costs is grade. The most commonly used asphalt grading includes base grade, top-grade, and the commercial top grade. Each of these grades varies slightly in cost, which impacts the total surfacing price.
The base grade is a rough asphalt that contains stone aggregate or gravel. It is usually the bottom layer of the surface, but it also works in lighter traffic areas as a stand-alone layer of asphalt.
The top asphalt grade costs $1-$4 per square foot. It is a durable asphalt layer that contains a higher level of sand and smooth particles. It is finer than the base coat, adding to its long-lasting properties. Unlike the base coat, it doesn’t work on its own but requires a base coat.
Asphalt contractors typically recommend a top grade for extremely high traffic roadways. However, it is the most expensive option. It costs about $3 – $5 a square foot. It contains more rock than other grades, making it less smooth than a top grade. However, the rockier surface impacts quality, making it perform better in the long term.
Condition of Existing Asphalt
Existing infrastructure also affects the total cost of asphalt.
Transportation and Distance
Asphalt contractors also factor in how far the project site is from the production facility to determine the cost. The costs to transport asphalt from the manufacturing facility to the project site largely depends on the weight of the asphalt material and type needed, whether it is a hot, warm, or cold mix.
Some contractors mix their own asphalt, while others combine materials from different locations. Whichever asphalt contractor you choose will impact the cost. An ideal contractor will facilitate manufacturing, using their own equipment to keep the cost low. Working with this type of asphalt contractor ensures you get consistent and high-quality products at the most cost-effective price.
Risk Management
A smaller factor that impacts the price of asphalt is risk management. Asphalt contractors will apply the cost it takes to minimize their job-site risk. The measures taken to avoid mistakes and keep employees safe might not greatly impact the price, but it is a factor that contractors will include in the total cost of your surfacing project.
Asphalt Amount
To figure the cost of asphalt, contractors will also factor in the amount of material needed, beginning with the length, width, and depth of the prepared site. A standard quote will use this minimal information to estimate how much of the asphalt material will be used on the project.
The amount of material needed will use a standard mix density of 148 pounds per cubic foot. Although densities vary between mix types, the standard rule-of-thumb uses this value to approximately measure project costs. Some asphalt contractors will offer reduced bulk rates for larger-scale projects, as well.
Man Hours
As with any hands-on work, working hours impact the total cost of installing an asphalt surface. The larger the scale of a project, the more time it will take. Contractors will also offer additional workers to reduce the time it takes to complete the project. However, the application process requires specific times for curing and drying, so contractors can only reduce project length so much. Any of these additional staff hours will affect the final cost.
Market Prices of Asphalt
Asphalt prices also vary depending on market factors. Environmental regulations, current construction activity, crude oil prices, and local economies will affect the cost of asphalt. Working with an asphalt contractor, you can discuss the current price of asphalt compared to past rates. Together, you can determine if now is the time to install an asphalt surface.
Project Type
Asphalt costs also depend on the type of services the project requires. If you are resurfacing an existing asphalt surface, you will need other services than a new installation. Sometimes you can fill in cracks or apply a seal coat to the top of the existing surface. Sealcoating is a less expensive option that can increase the life of your asphalt. However, a seal coat or repair might not be enough. Your asphalt contracting company can help you determine the type of service that will offer the results you are looking for in an asphalt surface.
A few of the asphalt services Morgan Pavement offers include:
- Asphalt Installation
- Crack Seal
- Sealcoat
- Slurry Seal
- Patching
- Liquid Road
- Mastic Seal
How to Find an Asphalt Contractor
Which asphalt contractor you work with will affect the cost, as well. You will need to find a reliable contractor that offers a high-quality product and service. Our experts recommend bringing in your preferred asphalt contractor from the beginning. You can get started on your journey to find an asphalt contractor by getting quotes from different companies before selecting one.
While you might find a considerably cheaper and faster company, you will need to ensure that they offer all of the qualities you need in a project partner. If the asphalt contractor offers an unbelievable price, you might need to take a second look before signing them as your contractor.
One of the best ways of determining whether a contractor will do a good job on your project is by checking their online reviews. You should never hire any contractor without reading online reviews. Look carefully at recent reviews. These reviews are the best depiction of how the asphalt paving company currently operations. All in all, online reviews will give you a behind-the-scenes look at how an asphalt pavement company operates before, during, and after a project.
If the asphalt paving company or contractor you are researching receives an onslaught of rave reviews, it’s a positive sign that they’ll do an excellent job on your project. However, numerous negative reviews could indicate the opposite. It would help if you also looked at these reviews in-depth, paying attention to the details of the service.
Another sign of a reputable asphalt contractor is their experience level. An asphalt pavement company’s background will provide you with a great deal of information regarding their service and professional abilities. You should also make sure that the company has the qualifications and credentials needed to complete your project.
Ask those contractors you meet with to provide details of their experiences installing similar projects, as well as customer referrals. You can also ask yourself the following questions:
- Does the contractor communicate well?
- Does the company offer the asphalt services my project requires?
- Do they offer a competitive price?
- Do they have a positive attitude?
- Will we work well together?
Asking yourself these questions and reading online reviews will help you narrow down your options to a final choice.
Asphalt Services at Morgan Pavement
Morgan Pavement is here to help Utahans with all their asphalt pavement needs. Working with our professionals, you will find the service that provides the best value at a cost-effective price. Plus, we will do our best to keep costs low and make your investment last for years to come.
Working with the asphalt contractors at Morgan Pavement, you can find the installation or resurfacing service that best suits your needs. Our teams stand by the mantra, “The right product for the right surface.”
One product does not solve every issue, which is why Morgan Pavement offers a wide variety of asphalt products and services. These offerings will help protect and extend the life of your asphalt surfaces at a cheaper cost than a completely new installation.
Learn more about the cost of asphalt at Morgan Pavement by contacting us today.
