How Much Do Asphalt Millings Cost in 2025?
Asphalt millings cost an average of $15,250.
Asphalt millings projects cost an average of $15,250, with most homeowners spending an average range between $7,875 and $22,625.
Recycled asphalt millings cost between $10 and $20 per ton.
The size and complexity of the project affect the total asphalt milling requirements.
Project type, delivery, and labor influence the final project cost.
Hiring a professional for your asphalt millings project ensures high-quality results, stress-free material delivery, and a durable finish.
This article was created using automation technology and thoroughly fact-checked and edited by HomeAdvisor Editor Ryan Noonan.
If you’re resurfacing a driveway or sports court, recycled asphalt millings offer a budget-friendly, low-maintenance option. Most homeowners spend about $15,250—often between $7,875 and $22,625—based on project size, location, and how often the surface will be used. Your final bill comes down to how many tons you need, delivery, labor, and site prep. Bringing in a pro keeps the project on schedule and helps ensure a finish that lasts.
What Is Recycled Asphalt?
Recycled—or reclaimed—asphalt is pavement that’s been ground up, reheated, and re-mixed with its original aggregates. It's a highly recyclable material and is considered to be environmentally friendly, offering comparable durability at a lower cost.
During milling, a specialized machine grinds the old pavement into small, heated pieces. Once compacted, those pieces lock together, giving you the look of gravel with the strength of a solid asphalt layer.
Asphalt Millings Cost Factors
Calculating the cost of asphalt milling involves several factors—here’s a closer look at how the costs break down.
Cost per Ton
Recycled asphalt millings cost between $10 and $20 per ton on average. One ton of asphalt millings covers approximately 80 square feet with a 3-inch thickness.
Cost per Square Foot
A recycled asphalt driveway will cost around $3 to $8 per square foot. This estimate is based on the typical thickness of a milled asphalt driveway, which ranges from three to four inches.
Millings vs. New Asphalt
Milling an existing driveway eliminates the need to purchase new materials and transport them to the project site, providing significant cost-saving opportunities.
Asphalt milling costs between $10 and $20 per ton on average. A new asphalt driveway costs an average of $90 to $190 per ton, nearly 10 times the price of milled asphalt. New asphalt can be advantageous for extensive repair needs. However, transportation costs, additional labor requirements, and delays can impact a new asphalt project’s total timeline and expense.
Amount and Size
| Tons | Average Cost Range |
|---|---|
| 3–5 | $30–100 |
| 5–7 | $50–$140 |
| 8–10 | $80–$160 |
| 11–13 | $110–$220 |
| 14–16 | $140–$320 |
| 18–20 | $180–$200 |
The amount of asphalt you need for a space depends on several factors. Larger areas, such as two-car driveways or basketball courts, cost more for materials and labor than a single-car driveway. Asphalt depth also affects the total cost. Driveways and other areas need at least a 2-inch asphalt depth, but some projects may require up to six inches to ensure durability.
Project Type
Different asphalt uses also influence the requirements and specifications, usually in relation to base preparation or finishing treatments. While driveways may not require extensive leveling, grading, or other base preparation, labor costs may be involved to ensure proper durability and smoothness. Some homeowners opt for finishing treatments, such as sealant application, which can likewise increase costs. Uniquely shaped driveways may also add to labor needs.
See the material and total cost ranges for these common milled asphalt projects:
| Project Type | Average Materials Cost |
|---|---|
| 10x20 driveway | $500–$1,000 |
| 20x20 driveway | $900–$2,300 |
| 30x30 driveway | $2,000–$4,500 |
| Tennis court | $6,000–$15,000 |
| Baseketball court | $10,000–$30,000 |
Driveway
The average residential driveway is around 16 feet wide by 38 feet long, totaling 608 square feet. Since each ton produces about 80 square feet of asphalt, you'll need 7.6 tons of milled asphalt to pave a driveway. Round up and price out eight tons to be on the safe side.Expect to spend between $1,300 and $3,000 in materials for a typical 16x38 milled asphalt driveway, depending on local rates and project details.
Labor
Labor drives a big slice of the budget. Pros usually charge for tearing out the old surface, prepping the base, and laying the new millings. Additional needs like excavation, adding drainage lines, accessibility to your location, local rates, and other factors may increase your project costs.
On average, driveway contractors charge between $5 and $7 per square foot for labor. For a standard two-car driveway that's 200 square feet in size, that can mean paying between $1,000 and $1,400 to have a driveway professionally done. To get an estimate based on the size of your driveway, contact local asphalt companies near you.
Budgeting for Asphalt Millings
You can optimize the cost-effectiveness of asphalt milling with these budgeting strategies:
Get multiple quotes: Obtain quotes from several local asphalt milling contractors and consider their experience, expertise, and reputation.
Simplify the design: Opt for a straightforward design without complex edges, curves, or decorative features to avoid extra labor and material costs.
Prepare the site: Clear the area and remove any rocks, debris, personal belongings, or landscaping to minimize unnecessary work for contractors.
Stay on top of maintenance: Protect your investment with routine inspections every three to five years—usually $100 to $200. Plan for sealcoating ($1.25 to $1.50 per square foot, or about $278 to $854 total)and re-compaction ($1 to $5 per square foot) if the surface starts to loosen.
How HomeAdvisor Gets Its Cost Data
No place is more important than your home, which is why HomeAdvisor connects homeowners with local pros to transform their houses into homes they love. To help homeowners prepare for their next project, HomeAdvisor provides readers with accurate cost data and follows strict editorial guidelines. After a project is complete, we survey real customers about the costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.
Frequently Asked Questions
Asphalt millings create a tough, budget-friendly driveway that stands up to heavy rain. The recycled mix compacts into a smooth surface that sheds water instead of letting it pool, which helps keep cracks at bay and reduces future upkeep. Plan on resealing and re-compacting every few years to keep the driveway tight and looking fresh.
Yes. Most paving crews can grind up your existing asphalt and turn it into new millings on the spot. The process reuses about 80% of the original material, which cuts landfill waste, conserves raw resources, and trims your material bill. Those savings, plus the long life span of recycled asphalt, make it a smart, eco-minded upgrade for driveways, patios, or play courts.
Hold off for about seven days before you drive or park on fresh millings. That cure time lets the pieces lock together and harden, giving the driveway the density it needs to handle daily traffic. Skipping the wait can leave ruts or weak spots, so a little patience now protects your long-term investment.
Absolutely. New asphalt runs $90 to $190 per ton, while millings average just $10 to $20—a potential ten-fold savings on material alone. Lower costs don’t mean lower quality, either. When properly compacted, recycled asphalt delivers the same durability plus eco benefits, so you can save money and still get a solid, long-lasting drive.
Get our Angi-powered app
