Material calculator
Recycled Asphalt Calculator
Tonnage, volume and installed cost for recycled asphalt (rap), calculated at its real compacted density of 127 lb/ft³.
Your project
Crews typically order 5-10% extra to cover compaction, spillage and uneven subgrade.
Recycled Asphalt (RAP) needed
10.67
US tons
- Area
- 480 sq ft
- Volume
- 6.22 cubic yards
- Compacted density
- 127 lb/ft³
- Truckloads (20-ton)
- 1
- Installed cost range
- $960 – $2,400
Prices are national planning averages. Asphalt is tied to crude oil and freight costs, so your local quote can land well outside this range. Always confirm with a paving contractor before budgeting.
What is recycled asphalt (rap)?
Recycled asphalt pavement — millings or RAP — is ground-up old pavement reused as a surface or base. It costs a fraction of hot mix and compacts into a firm, semi-bound surface.
Compacted millings run about 127 lb/ft³; loose from the pile they are closer to 110 lb/ft³.
Rolling millings on a warm day lets the residual binder re-bond, which is what makes the surface hold.
How the quantity is calculated
Tons = area (sq ft) × thickness (in) ÷ 12 × 127 ÷ 2,000. Cubic yards ignore density entirely: area × thickness ÷ 12 ÷ 27. Suppliers quote recycled asphalt (rap) by the ton in most of the US, so tonnage is the number you order against.
Add a waste allowance of 5-10%. Uneven subgrade, spillage at the truck and the extra material a screed carries on the first pass all come out of your order, not the supplier's.
Typical installed cost for recycled asphalt (rap)
Installed pricing runs roughly $2.00 to $5.00 per square foot nationally for rural driveways, farm lanes, parking areas and base layers. Small jobs carry a mobilisation minimum — most contractors will not roll a crew and a roller for under about $2,500.
Prices are national planning averages. Asphalt is tied to crude oil and freight costs, so your local quote can land well outside this range. Always confirm with a paving contractor before budgeting.
Recycled Asphalt (RAP) quantity by area
At 4" compacted, 127 lb/ft³, no waste added.
| Area | Tons | Cubic yards | Installed cost range |
|---|---|---|---|
| 500 sq ft | 10.58 | 6.17 | $1,000 – $2,500 |
| 1,000 sq ft | 21.17 | 12.35 | $2,000 – $5,000 |
| 2,500 sq ft | 52.92 | 30.86 | $5,000 – $12,500 |
| 5,000 sq ft | 105.83 | 61.73 | $10,000 – $25,000 |
| 10,000 sq ft | 211.67 | 123.46 | $20,000 – $50,000 |
Density comparison
| Material | Compacted density | Tons per cubic yard |
|---|---|---|
| Hot mix asphalt (compacted) | 145 lb/ft³ | 1.96 |
| Warm mix asphalt (compacted) | 142 lb/ft³ | 1.92 |
| Porous / open-graded asphalt | 130 lb/ft³ | 1.76 |
| Asphalt millings (compacted) | 127 lb/ft³ | 1.71 |
| Asphalt millings (loose) | 110 lb/ft³ | 1.49 |
| Crushed aggregate base (compacted) | 135 lb/ft³ | 1.82 |
| Loose gravel | 105 lb/ft³ | 1.42 |
Frequently asked questions
+How much does recycled asphalt (rap) weigh per cubic yard?
About 1.71 US tons per cubic yard compacted, based on a 127 lb/ft³ density.
+How many tons of recycled asphalt (rap) cover 1,000 square feet?
At 4" compacted, about 21.17 tons before waste allowance.
+What does recycled asphalt (rap) cost installed?
Roughly $2.00-$5.00 per square foot nationally, before mobilisation minimums and site prep.