What density should I use to calculate millings tonnage?

Ask your supplier for their stockpile's specific density. If unavailable, use 105–115 lb/ft³ as the range (110 lb/ft³ as a midpoint default). Millings are looser and lighter than compacted fresh asphalt, so using the standard 145 lb/ft³ figure will significantly overestimate your tonnage.

Can recycled millings be used as a finished driveway surface?

Yes, for low-traffic residential driveways. Over time, the residual binder in the millings softens in summer heat and gradually hardens into a semi-paved surface. It's not as smooth or durable as fresh asphalt, and may need periodic re-grading, but it holds up reasonably well under light vehicle use.

How much cold patch do I need for a pothole?

Measure the pothole length, width, and depth, then enter those dimensions into the calculator with 'Cold Mix' selected. A standard 50 lb bag covers roughly 0.4 cubic feet — a pothole 1 ft × 1 ft × 5 in deep. For a 2 ft × 2 ft × 4 in pothole, you'd need approximately 2–3 bags.

How long does cold-patch asphalt last?

Temporary cold patch typically lasts weeks to a few months under traffic before loosening. Permanent cold-patch products claim longer life, but in practice, hot-mix repair bonded with a tack coat is more durable for any repair that will see regular vehicle loads. Cold patch is best treated as a fix-it-now solution.

Is crushed asphalt the same as millings?

Crushed asphalt and asphalt millings both come from recycled asphalt pavement, but the terms are sometimes used interchangeably and sometimes refer to different gradations. 'Millings' typically means the direct output of a cold planer — a finer, more uniform granular product. 'Crushed asphalt' sometimes refers to material from demolished slabs, which has a coarser, less consistent gradation. Ask your supplier what gradation they're providing.

Specialty Materials

Recycled Millings & Cold Patch Calculator

Last updated: June 30, 2026

Recycled asphalt millings (RAP), cold-patch, and crushed asphalt are lighter and looser than fresh hot mix — they need their own density figures, not the standard 145 lb/ft³ default. Enter your dimensions and select the right material type below.

Project Dimensions

Length (ft)

Width (ft)

Thickness2.5 in

1 in8 in

Asphalt mix type

Waste allowance (%)

Material price ($ / ton)

National average is roughly $100–$200/ton for hot mix material. Adjust to match a local supplier quote for a more precise number.

Estimated result

5.2

tons of asphalt

Area

320 ft²

Volume

2.5 yd³

Weight

4.8 tons

With waste

5.2 tons

Truckloads

≈ 0.3

16-ton tandem dump

Material cost

$621

Select "Cold Mix / patch" or "Recycled millings" from the mix type dropdown to use the correct density for those materials. For supplier-quoted densities, use "Standard Hot Mix" and override the density field directly.

Millings vs. cold patch vs. hot mix — which one to use

These three materials serve different jobs. Choosing the wrong one doesn't just waste money — it also produces a surface that won't perform correctly for the application.

Material	Density	Cost est.	Best use	Limitations
Recycled millings (RAP)	105–115 lb/ft³	$20–$60/ton	Driveway base, unpaved surface, low-traffic path	Not a structural wearing course; loosens over time without a binder
Cold-mix patch	~130 lb/ft³	$8–$20/bag (50 lb)	Pothole repair, small patches, temporary fixes	Less durable than hot mix; best as a temporary or emergency fix
Fresh hot mix (HMA)	145 lb/ft³	$100–$200/ton	Driveways, roads, parking lots, overlays	Requires heating equipment and skilled installation; minimum order applies
Stone Mastic Asphalt (SMA)	~150 lb/ft³	$150–$250/ton	High-traffic roads, busy intersections	Overkill for residential; usually only available from specialist plants

Recycled asphalt millings: what they are and when to use them

Recycled asphalt millings — also called RAP (Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement) — are the ground-up remains of an old road or parking lot surface removed during a resurfacing project. The milling machine grinds the existing asphalt layer to a specified depth, producing a loose, granular material that looks and handles somewhat like coarse gravel.

Millings have a residual asphalt binder coating each aggregate particle. When placed and compacted, that binder warms in summer sun and gradually re-hardens, giving the surface a semi-paved character over time — more durable than plain gravel but not as smooth or structurally sound as fresh hot mix. For a budget-conscious rural or secondary driveway, millings are a common and practical choice.

The density of millings varies more than fresh hot mix because particle size, binder content, and moisture all differ between sources. Most suppliers can give you a specific density for their stockpile — use that figure in the calculator above for the most accurate estimate. If no supplier figure is available, 110 lb/ft³ is a reasonable midpoint default.

One important caveat: millings work best as a base material or low-traffic surface, not as a wearing course on a driveway that sees regular heavy vehicles. The binder in RAP is aged and brittle; under heavy loads, it doesn't re-compact like fresh material and can develop ruts or displacement.

Cold-mix patch: what it is and what it's actually good for

Cold-patch asphalt is a pre-mixed product containing asphalt aggregate and a petroleum-solvent-based binder that keeps it workable at ambient temperature — no heating required. It's sold in bags (typically 40–60 lb) at hardware stores and comes in two varieties: a temporary mix designed to hold a pothole until proper repair can be scheduled, and a more durable version intended for permanent small repairs.

Cold patch works best for exactly what it sounds like: a pothole that needs to be filled quickly in cold weather when hot mix isn't available, or a small isolated patch that isn't worth mobilizing a hot-mix truck and crew. For anything larger than a few square feet, hot mix will produce a longer-lasting and better- bonded result.

For patching potholes, the cold-patch calculation is volume-based: measure the length, width, and depth of the hole and use the calculator above (with "Cold Mix" selected as the mix type) to get the bag count. A 50 lb bag of standard cold patch fills roughly 0.4 cubic feet — about a 1 ft × 1 ft × 5 in pothole.

Unfamiliar with a term on this page? The paving glossary covers RAP, tack coat, base course, and other terminology in plain English.

Frequently asked questions

Recycled millings are significantly cheaper than fresh hot mix — typically $20–$60 per ton depending on the supplier, region, and whether delivery is included. Compare that to $100–$200 per ton for fresh dense-graded hot mix.