How Much Does Crushed Asphalt Cost?

Last Updated on June 11, 2024
Written by CPA Alec Pow | Content Reviewed by CFA Alexander Popinker

Crushed asphalt made from recycled old asphalt pavement (RAP) provides an extremely affordable, sustainable paving material useful for constructing residential driveways, commercial parking lots, rural roads, highways, walking trails, and more.

But what factors influence crushed asphalt pricing, and what does a typical driveway or roadway project cost?

This guide covers everything from crushed asphalt cost breakdowns, sourcing quality suppliers and contractors, installation best practices, maintenance, and repairs pricing over time, and tips to get the best deal on your next crushed asphalt project. Let’s dive into managing both costs and quality when working with this versatile recycled material.

How Much Does Crushed Asphalt Cost?

Crushed asphalt costs range from $7 to $150 per ton and $12 to $85 per cubic yard based on recycled versus new, quality, and purchase volume. It offers sustainability and cost savings compared to stone or gravel for driveways and road paving.

Crushed Asphalt Prices Per Ton

Recycled Crushed Asphalt

• Screened Gravel Mix – $7 to $30 per ton
• Standard Base Layer – $15 to $45 per ton
• Premium Asphalt Mix – $25 to $60 per ton

New Hot Mix Asphalt

• Standard Highway Mix – $80 to $120 per ton
• Premium Commercial Mix – $100 to $150 per ton

Bulk Load Tiered Discounts Per Ton

• 5 to 20 tons – No bulk discount
• 20 to 100 tons – 10% discount per ton
• 500+ tons – 15%+ discount per ton

For easiest budgeting, the per ton rate provides a convenient weight-based metric.

Crushed Asphalt Cubic Yard Costs

Recycled Crushed Asphalt

• Loose Spread Finish – $8 to $25 per cubic yard
• Compacted Base Layer – $20 to $45 per cubic yard
• Road or Driveway Resurfacing – $30 to $60 per cubic yard

Minimum Cubic Yard Delivery

• 1 to 5 cubic yards per single axle dump truck
• 10+ cubic yards per tri-axle or semi-trailer truck

The per cubic yard rates help estimate materials needed for deeper surfacing jobs.

According to HomeGuide, crushed asphalt, also known as recycled asphalt millings, costs $10 to $20 per ton or $12 to $32 per cubic yard. One ton of asphalt millings covers 60 square feet at 4 inches thick, while one cubic yard covers 80 square feet at the same depth. The total installed cost for a crushed asphalt driveway ranges from $2 to $5 per square foot.

MyKukun reports that crushed asphalt costs between $2 and $5 a square foot on average, with the cost of paving a recycled asphalt driveway coming up to between $1,200 and $3,600 including labor and materials. Asphalt milling is usually sold by the ton, with a ton costing between $7 and $60, depending on the amount of recycled asphalt pavement in the mixture.

What is Crushed Asphalt?

Crushed asphalt, also known as recycled asphalt pavement (RAP), is composed of the old asphalt material removed from deteriorating roads, driveways, or parking lots. The used asphalt chunks are processed and crushed into gravel-sized pieces approximately 0.5 to 1.5 inches across.

Benefits of using the recycled crushed material include:

• Lower cost compared to new asphalt mixes
• Sustainability from reusing old pavement instead of landfilling
• Good compaction and load bearing strength for roads and driveways
• Porous structure allows drainage

Factors That Influence Crushed Asphalt Costs

Several important considerations affect the costs involved when budgeting for crushed asphalt:

• Base Asphalt Pricing – The market rates for freshly mined aggregates and new hot mix asphalt production significantly influence savings potential from using recycled crushed asphalt.
• Regional Location – Proximity to local urban recycling facilities reduces transportation costs substantially compared to sourcing from distant rural suppliers involving high freight fees.
• Seasonal Demand – Cooler fall and winter months typically have reduced crushed asphalt pricing compared to peak summertime demand when paving projects accelerate.
• Custom Processing – Unique project requirements for specialized screening to precisely grade sizes, washing and sorting crushed particles, or blending add production costs at the recycling facility.
• Purchase Quantity – Buying recycled asphalt in higher bulk tonnage or cubic yardage allows contractors and municipalities to benefit from volume discounts and lower per unit pricing.

You might also like our articles about the cost of Class 5 gravel, crushed limestone, or crushed concrete.

Crushed Asphalt vs Gravel and Stone

• Recycled Crushed Asphalt – $7 to $60 per ton or $8 to $60 per cubic yard
• Crushed Gravel – $15 to $45 per ton or $25 to $65 per cubic yard
• Crushed Stone – $35 to $120 per ton or $45 to $110 per cubic yard
• Crushed Concrete – $10 to $50 per ton or $15 to $70 per cubic yard
• Pea Gravel – $30 to $60 per ton or $35 to $75 per cubic yard

For most paving applications, recycled crushed asphalt provides substantially lower costs than comparable aggregates like gravel, limestone, or sandstone. The savings make it ideal for large surfacing projects. However, traditional hot mix asphalt is still the premium material for heavily trafficked roads requiring maximum service life.

Installing Crushed Asphalt

Residential Driveways – Versatile for long, affordable driveways. Costs average $400 to $1200 for a 10×50 foot area.

Commercial Parking Lots – Perfect for large surfacing areas to maximize recycled material savings. Total costs depend heavily on the size, grading complexity, and base preparation required.

Rural Roads and Residential Streets – Many local municipalities take advantage of recycled crushed asphalt for paving low traffic rural roads and neighborhood streets as a cost-effective and sustainable solution.

Bike Paths, Walking Trails, and Recreational Applications – Homeowners, parks, and recreational areas frequently choose crushed asphalt to pave walking and biking paths or trails affordably. An easy-to-follow permeable surface.

The economical pricing and performance characteristics make recycled asphalt an ideal choice for many construction and landscaping surfacing applications.

Using Recycled Crushed Asphalt

Recycled crushed asphalt offers two key advantages:

Lower Costs

• Reusing old asphalt reduces the need for costly new aggregates
• Avoids landfill dumping fees for spent pavement material

Environmental Benefits

• Keeps old asphalt out of landfills
• Conserves natural resources and fuels used in new asphalt manufacturing
• Reduces pollution from trucking new materials

Choose recycled whenever suitable for the greenest and budget-friendly option.

Crushed Asphalt Lifespan

When properly engineered and compacted over a stable base, recycled crushed asphalt lifespans by application include:

• Driveways, rural roads, and small commercial lots will typically get 10-15 years of economical service life before requiring resurfacing or sealcoating. Proper drainage and base stability extend durability.
• High-traffic commercial parking areas may last 15-25 years with routine maintenance before major rehabilitation is needed. Performance relates closely with the installation quality and usage intensity.
• Major highways designed for heavy traffic loads may last anywhere from 10-25 years depending on the specifications of the asphalt mix used and pavement base structural design. Periodic resurfacing helps maintain friction and ride quality.

Typical Maintenance Costs Over the Lifespan Include:

• Minor Patching to Fill Potholes – $250 to $400 per ton of material
• Major Resurfacing for Worn Surfaces – $4,000 to $8,000 for a standard 50 ft driveway
• Asphalt Crack Sealing – $0.05 to $0.20 per square foot is typical
• Isolated Crack Repairs – Around $1 to $5 per linear foot of damaged pavement

With proper installation and preventative maintenance like periodic sealing, recycled crushed asphalt can provide many years of economical service life for light and moderate traffic loads.

Finding Crushed Asphalt Suppliers

Local Landscaping Yards

• Convenient pickup small loads for DIY projects
• Limited material choices and minimal bulk discounts

Paving Contractors

• One-stop installation and materials
• May lack product transparency or markup costs

Municipal Recycling Facilities

• Direct public sales of recycled crushed asphalt
• Typically, only serve local residents

Quarries and Asphalt Companies

• Wider selections and bulk pricing
• Higher delivery minimums and possible long-haul charges

Cast a wide net when sourcing competitively priced, quality materials for large paving projects.

Getting Crushed Asphalt Deals

• Get quotes from multiple suppliers before selecting
• Buy recycled crushed asphalt instead of costly hot mix when suitable
• Plan deliveries in low season autumn and winter months
• Purchase largest quantities for your project’s needs to maximize bulk savings
• Review supplier reputation and check recommendations

With smart planning and buying strategies, crushed asphalt can be a budget-friendly paving solution.

Conclusion

While upfront costs play an important role in material selection, the long-term performance, aesthetics, and maintenance must also be weighed when choosing the best solutions.

With competitive pricing, quality installation, and proper care, crushed asphalt pavement can be an eco-friendly, low-cost paving option without sacrificing strength, longevity or aesthetic curb appeal. Evaluating total cost of ownership over the lifespan remains essential.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a ton of crushed asphalt cover?

One ton of compacted crushed asphalt will cover approximately 80-100 square feet at a 2–3-inch thickness for driveways and parking areas. Always account for 10-20% overage waste and loss during installation.

How long does it take for crushed asphalt to harden?

Properly compacted crushed asphalt stabilizes within 6-12 hours. However, it will continue to further densify and gain additional strength over the first 6-12 months. Avoid heavy use during the initial curing phase. Newly paved surfaces remain vulnerable to damage until fully cured.

Is crushed asphalt any good?

Yes, when properly graded and compacted, crushed recycled asphalt makes an excellent durable, affordable road base or driveway surface, comparable in performance to materials like gravel or limestone screening.

The angular crushed particles interlock tightly while still allowing drainage. Durability improves over the first year as the material further compacts and hardens through normal use.

Is crushed asphalt cheaper than gravel?

Yes, recycled crushed asphalt typically costs 50% or more less per ton than crushed gravel, making it significantly more economical. However, gravel offers a wider range of color options.

Crushed asphalt works extremely well for road base purposes but gravel provides better aesthetics for decorative landscaping use. Both offer good durability when properly compacted during installation.