How this calculator works
Milling has two cost components, and the tool keeps them separate: a per-square-foot rate for the machine and crew, and a flat hauling-and-disposal fee for carting the grindings away. The fee depends on how many tons come off, which the tool does not compute, so use the haul-off table below. Milling is usually prep for an overlay, so budget that with the asphalt resurfacing and overlay cost calculator and size the new mix with the Overlay preset on the asphalt tonnage calculator.
The formula
Example: 10,000 sq ft × $0.45 = $4,500, plus $400 hauling = $4,900. A 2-inch cut removes ≈ 121 US tons, so the $400 fee is about $3.31 per ton.
Worked examples
Example 1 — a 10,000 sq ft mill at $0.45 / sq ft
- Area:
- 10,000 sq ft
- Milling rate:
- $0.45 / sq ft
- Hauling & disposal:
- $400 (flat)
- Milling work: 10,000 × $0.45 = $4,500
- Add hauling: $4,500 + $400 = $4,900
- Hauling per ton (121 tons): $400 ÷ 121 ≈ $3.31
Estimated total: $4,900
The 121 tons of grindings are RAP, which is reused, so ask whether the contractor credits any of it.
Example 2 — a small 1,500 sq ft driveway mill
- Area:
- 1,500 sq ft
- Milling rate:
- $0.75 / sq ft
- Hauling & disposal:
- $250 (flat)
- Milling work: 1,500 × $0.75 = $1,125
- Add hauling: $1,125 + $250 = $1,375
- Hauling per ton (18.1 tons): $250 ÷ 18.1 ≈ $13.79
Estimated total: ≈ $1,375
A flat haul fee spread over far fewer tons costs about four times as much per ton as in Example 1. A contractor may quote a machine day rate instead.
Tons of millings to haul off, by cut depth (145 lb/ft³)
| Cut depth | Per 1,000 sq ft | Per 10,000 sq ft | Per acre |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 in | 6.0 tons | 60 tons | 263 tons |
| 1.5 in | 9.1 tons | 91 tons | 395 tons |
| 2 in | 12.1 tons | 121 tons | 526 tons |
| 3 in | 18.1 tons | 181 tons | 790 tons |
| 4 in | 24.2 tons | 242 tons | 1,053 tons |
What happens to the millings (RAP)
Milled asphalt is reclaimed asphalt pavement. The NAPA and FHWA 2024 survey estimates 101.4 million tons of RAP went into new asphalt mixtures that year, and FHWA lists new hot mix and granular base or fill as uses. We found no public per-ton RAP price, so this tool credits nothing: if a contractor offers a credit, subtract it from the hauling fee and get it in writing.
Key facts
- Asphalt milling typically costs $0.30–$0.80 per square foot for large US jobs as of 2026, plus hauling and disposal of the grindings.
- A 2-inch mill over 10,000 sq ft removes about 121 US tons of grindings at 145 lb/ft³, or about 12 tons per 1,000 sq ft.
- The NAPA and FHWA 2024 survey estimates 101.4 million tons of reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) were used in new asphalt mixtures.
Who should use this and when
Use this when a repaving job needs the old surface ground down first, to tie an overlay into fixed edges or strip a failed wearing course. It is a prep-cost line: add it to the asphalt resurfacing cost calculator for an overlay budget, or pair it with the asphalt driveway cost calculator if you are removing the pavement entirely.
Tips and common pitfalls
- Separate milling from hauling. The machine rate and the disposal fee move independently; the table shows the tonnage the fee has to cover.
- Only mill what you need. Edge milling for tie-ins removes far fewer tons than grinding the whole surface.
- Expect a minimum on small jobs. A residential mill may be billed at a day rate for mobilizing the machine, not by the square foot.
Milling FAQs
How much does asphalt milling cost per square foot?
Milling typically runs $0.30 to $0.80 per square foot for large commercial jobs in the US as of 2026, plus hauling and disposal of the grindings. Small residential jobs are often billed at a machine day rate or a minimum charge instead.
How is milling cost estimated?
Combine a per-square-foot rate for the machine and crew with a flat hauling-and-disposal fee. A 10,000 sq ft mill at $0.45 per square foot plus $400 hauling is about $4,900 as of 2026.
How many tons of millings does a job produce?
At 145 lb/ft³, each inch of cut removes about 6 US tons per 1,000 square feet. A 2-inch mill over 10,000 square feet produces roughly 121 tons, and over an acre about 526 tons. Loose grindings take more truck space than their weight suggests.
What is asphalt milling?
Milling grinds off part or all of an existing asphalt surface with a rotating drum, either to level and smooth it or to remove it before repaving. It is the standard first step when an overlay would otherwise raise the grade above curbs and gutters.
Do I need milling before an overlay?
Often at the edges, sometimes across the whole surface. Grinding the perimeter lets a new overlay tie into garage floors, curbs and gutters without a lip; full-surface milling is for when the overlay would otherwise raise the grade too much or trap drainage.
What factors affect milling prices?
The depth of cut (2 inches is common), the total area, how accessible the site is for a large milling machine, and local disposal fees for the grindings. Tight sites and long hauls to a recycling facility raise the price.
Can milled asphalt be reused?
Yes. The NAPA and FHWA 2024 survey estimates 101.4 million tons of reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) went into new asphalt mixtures, and FHWA also lists granular base and fill as uses. Any credit against hauling is between you and the contractor; we found no published per-ton price.
More asphalt calculators
Notes & Assumptions
- Cost figures are planning estimates for the US as of 2026, expressed as ranges. They are compiled from common contractor pricing, not an authoritative price index.
- Milling rates vary with cut depth, area, site access and local disposal fees; small jobs are frequently billed at a machine day rate instead of per square foot.
- The estimate is (area × milling rate) + a flat hauling fee; it does not value or credit the recycled grindings (RAP).
- The removed-tonnage figure uses 145 lb/ft³ from the Asphalt Institute's 142–148 lb/ft³ range and excludes any bulking of loose grindings.
Estimates are for budgeting only and are not a quote. Local quotes from licensed contractors govern the actual cost.