⚠️ Contractor work only

Asphalt Driveways & Paths

Asphalt paving requires specialist hot-mix equipment and is not a DIY task. This guide explains what contractors do, what to specify, and how to get an accurate quote.

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Hot-mix asphalt must be transported and laid at 140–180°C. Without professional paving and compaction machinery, the result will be uneven, weak, and prone to cracking. Always hire a licensed contractor.

Where asphalt is used

Driveways

Most common residential use — handles vehicle load well

Thickness: 40–60 mm

Paths & patios

Pedestrian surfaces, garden paths

Thickness: 25–40 mm

Parking areas

Heavy use, heavier vehicle loads

Thickness: 60–80 mm

What the job involves

1

Site preparation

The contractor removes existing surfaces (soil, gravel, old concrete) and excavates to the required depth — typically 250–300 mm total for a driveway.

Edges are formed to give a clean boundary. Existing drainage must be checked and adjusted.

2

Sub-base installation

A layer of compacted crushed stone (pukk/grus) is laid — typically 100–200 mm. This provides structural support and drainage. The sub-base is compacted using a plate compactor or roller.

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The sub-base is often more expensive than the asphalt itself. Never skip it — without it, asphalt will crack under vehicle loads.
3

Asphalt laying

Hot-mix asphalt is delivered in trucks from the asphalt plant (typically 3–8 km away) and must be laid within 30–60 minutes before it cools. A mechanical paver spreads the mix to an even thickness.

For residential driveways, 40–60 mm is standard. Thicker layers may be laid in two passes.

4

Compaction & finishing

A road roller compacts the asphalt to achieve the final thickness and density. Edge compaction is done by hand-roller. The surface must cool 2–4 hours before light foot traffic and 24 hours before vehicle use.

Typical driveway cross-section

Asphalt surface40–60 mm
Crushed stone base100–200 mm
Compacted subgrade(existing ground)

What to specify when getting quotes

Area (m²)Measure carefully — use our calculator to verify contractor tonnage estimates
Asphalt thickness40 mm for paths / 60 mm for driveways / 80 mm for heavy vehicles
Sub-base thicknessSpecify whether this is included and what thickness
Old surface removalConfirm whether breaking up and disposing of existing material is included
Edging/kerbsConcrete or steel edge restraints to prevent spread
Number of passesSingle-layer vs. binder course + surface course

Cost factors

Calculate tonnes & cost

Enter your area and thickness to get the exact tonnage — useful for verifying contractor quotes.

Open calculator

Frequently asked questions

How thick should a driveway asphalt layer be?

For a residential driveway: 40–60 mm of asphalt on top of a 100–200 mm compacted crushed stone base. Paths and patios with no vehicle traffic can use 25–40 mm.

Can I lay asphalt myself?

No. Hot-mix asphalt requires specialist paving equipment (pavers and rollers) and must be laid while the mix is hot (140–180°C). This is strictly contractor work. Cold-mix patching products exist for small repairs only.

How do I calculate how many tonnes I need?

Volume (m³) = area × thickness. Weight (tonnes) = volume × 2.3 (asphalt density is ~2300 kg/m³). Our calculator does this automatically.

What should I ask a contractor before getting a quote?

Ask: What base preparation is included? Will you remove the existing surface? What thickness do you recommend for my use? What warranty do you offer? How many tonnes will you use (you can verify with this calculator)?

How long does asphalt last?

A well-laid residential driveway lasts 20–30 years. Regular sealcoating (every 3–5 years) and prompt crack repair extends lifespan significantly.