Crushed Bitumen: What It Is and How to Order the Right Amount
Updated · By the Roof to Footing editors
Crushed bitumen is the name many landscape and aggregate suppliers use for crushed recycled asphalt: old asphalt pavement broken up and screened into a gravel-like material. "Bitumen" is the black, sticky binder that holds asphalt pavement together, and that leftover binder is what makes crushed bitumen pack into a firm surface when it's compacted. It's the same family of material as asphalt millings and recycled asphalt, sold under a different name in some regions.
What you're buying
| Name you'll see | What it usually means |
|---|---|
| Crushed bitumen, crushed asphalt | Old pavement run through a crusher and screened |
| Asphalt millings | Material ground off roads by milling machines; smaller, more uniform |
| RAP (reclaimed asphalt pavement) | The industry term covering both |
| Recycled bitumen | Same thing, different regional name |
Ask the supplier two questions: what's the maximum size (for example 3/4 inch minus, meaning everything from 3/4 inch down to fines), and is it screened to remove oversized chunks, concrete and debris? Smaller screened material makes a better top surface.
Common uses
- Driveway surfaces and repairs (see recycled asphalt driveway)
- Parking pads for trailers, RVs and equipment
- Farm lanes and access roads
- Walking paths that need to stay firm but don't need pavement
- A firm base layer under a future paved surface
It's not a good choice as a base under pavers or patios, where you want a stone base that's consistent and drains freely.
How much to order
Crushed bitumen is sold by the ton or by the cubic yard. To estimate:
- Multiply the area's length by width in feet to get square feet.
- Multiply by the depth in feet (3 inches = 0.25 ft; 4 inches = 0.33 ft) to get cubic feet.
- Divide by 27 to get cubic yards.
- For tons, multiply cubic yards by about 1.35. That's what the coverage figures published by HomeAdvisor and Angi work out to (one ton covers about 80 square feet at 3 inches); ask your supplier for their number.
- Add 10 percent for compaction and waste.
Example: a 10 x 40 ft parking pad at 4 inches is 400 x 0.33 = 133 cubic feet, or about 4.9 cubic yards, roughly 6.5 tons. Order about 7 to 7.5 tons.
Laying it
The steps are the same as for any recycled asphalt surface: strip to firm soil, add fabric and a stone base on soft ground, spread in 2 to 3 inch lifts, dampen and compact each lift with a roller or plate compactor, and crown the surface so water runs off. It firms up further over its first warm season. Detailed steps are in our millings driveway guide.
Environmental notes
Recycled asphalt keeps old pavement out of landfills, and it's widely used by road departments. Some states and towns still limit its use near water: close to wells, streams, wetlands or in floodplains, because of runoff concerns. Check with your local zoning or environmental office if your site is near water, and keep it out of vegetable gardens.
Cost
Crushed bitumen is usually priced close to asphalt millings, often in the range of $10 to $20 per ton for the material in many areas, with delivery charged separately. Prices vary a lot by region and by how close you are to a recycler. Pickup with your own truck is the cheapest option for small amounts.