North Carolina Bitumen Calculator
Estimate asphalt tonnage, bitumen quantity, and cost for NCDOT mixes like S9.5B and I19.0B with regional default values.
NCDOT Standard Specifications, Section 610 (Asphalt Concrete Pavement) with S9.5B and S12.5B Superpave mixes.
Humid subtropical climate — hot summers and mild winters; PG 64-22 most common, coastal areas PG 70-22.
Asphalt in North Carolina typically runs $120–$260/tonne depending on region.
Estimating Asphalt for NCDOT Projects in North Carolina
North Carolina's terrain runs from the Outer Banks to the Appalachians, and its pavement has to cope with humid coastal heat as well as mountain cold. NCDOT specifies Superpave mixes — S9.5 and S12.5 surface courses, I19.0 intermediate and B25.0 base — with PG 64-22 as the workhorse binder and stiffer grades on high-volume routes like I-40 and I-85. Getting tonnage right early keeps both resurfacing and new-construction budgets on track.
This calculator defaults to NCDOT Superpave mix parameters. Enter your length, width and compacted lift thickness, choose the mix type, and it returns total weight, the bitumen and aggregate split, and an estimated cost — with both imperial and metric inputs supported through internal conversion. North Carolina layer builds, a thin S9.5 wearing course over an I19.0 or B25.0 base, are best estimated one lift at a time since binder content and density differ by mix. Confirm the numbers against your NCDOT-approved Job Mix Formula and include a waste and compaction margin before ordering.
📊 Results
Enter dimensions to calculate
North Carolina Mix Standards
Typical values for common NCDOT pavement mix designs.
| Mix Type | Bitumen Content (%) | Density (kg/m³) | Standard |
|---|---|---|---|
| S9.5B (Fine Surface) | 5.5–7.0 | 2290–2370 | NCDOT Section 610 |
| S12.5B (Coarse Surface) | 5.0–6.5 | 2300–2380 | NCDOT |
| B25.0B (Base) | 4.0–5.5 | 2310–2400 | NCDOT base course |
| FG (Fine-Graded) | 5.5–6.5 | 2280–2360 | Low-volume roads |
North Carolina Asphalt Tonnage Formula
NCDOT projects use imperial units. This calculator accepts both imperial and metric inputs and converts internally to short tons, consistent with NCDOT Section 610 quantity measurement requirements.
Calculate Volume (ft³)
Convert thickness from inches to feet (÷ 12), then multiply all dimensions. Example: A 1,000 ft NC-54 resurfacing section near Chapel Hill, 22 ft wide, with a 1.5-inch S9.5B wearing course: 1,000 × 22 × (1.5 ÷ 12) = 2,750 ft³.
Convert to Short Tons
Multiply volume by density (110 lb/ft³) and divide by 2,000. 2,750 × 110 ÷ 2,000 = 151.25 short tons. NCDOT projects add 5% waste and rounding = order approximately 159 tons. NC's warm climate reduces compaction variability, so smaller wastage factors apply than in northern states.
Separate Bitumen & Aggregate
Apply the S9.5B binder content from the NCDOT job mix formula. At 5.7%: 151.25 × 0.057 = 8.6 tons bitumen (PG 64-22 for most of NC) and 151.25 × 0.943 = 142.6 tons aggregate. Charlotte and Coastal Plain projects using PG 70-22 may have slightly higher binder costs but the tonnage formula is unchanged.
North Carolina's Superpave mix designations (S9.5B, S12.5B, I19.0B, B25.0B) are governed by NCDOT Standard Specifications Section 610. The letter suffix (B, C, D) indicates design traffic level — B for standard, C for high-traffic interstates and urban arterials, D for very high traffic. Always confirm the required mix type and PG binder grade from the project plans before calculating material quantities.
Where North Carolina Asphalt Calculations Are Used
From I-40 corridor resurfacing to Charlotte metro development and mountain highway rehabilitation, NCDOT-compliant tonnage estimates are essential across all three of North Carolina's distinct geographic regions.
NCDOT Primary System Resurfacing
NCDOT division engineers use S9.5C and S12.5C calculations for resurfacing programmes on I-40, I-85, I-95, and US-74. High-traffic routes through Charlotte, Raleigh, and Greensboro require polymer-modified binder at S9.5C specification for rutting resistance in hot summers. Tonnage estimates feed NCDOT's STIP (State Transportation Improvement Program) funding justifications and contractor payment certification.
Related: Asphalt Tonnage Calculator
Charlotte & Triangle Region Development
Developers and municipal engineers in the Charlotte metro and Research Triangle (Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill) regions estimate S9.5B and B25.0B quantities for subdivision roads, retail parking lots, and commercial access driveways. NC's strong population growth drives continuous new road construction, with cost estimates using current Triangle and Metrolina area supplier pricing ($95–$150/ton).
Related: Asphalt Cost Calculator
Western NC Mountain Highway Rehabilitation
NCDOT Division 14 (Asheville) engineers calculate asphalt quantities for mountain highway rehabilitation on US-441 (Blue Ridge Pkwy), US-74, and I-26. Mountain projects in Buncombe, Haywood, and Jackson counties use S12.5B or thicker I19 intermediate layers to handle mountain terrain. Shorter haul routes from Asheville area plants compared to western Colorado keep NC mountain project costs competitive.
Related: Asphalt Repair Calculator
More Regional Calculators
How to Use This Calculator
Enter Project Dimensions
Input the length, width, and compacted asphalt thickness. NCDOT S9.5B (surface mix) is typically 1.5–2 inches. North Carolina's varied topography spans coastal plain, Piedmont, and mountain regions, each requiring slightly different pavement design depths to account for local traffic and subgrade conditions.
Select NCDOT Mix Type
Choose the appropriate North Carolina DOT mix — S9.5B (standard surface), S9.5C (high-traffic surface), or I19 (intermediate). The "B" suffix indicates a standard traffic design level; "C" is used for high-traffic routes like I-40 and I-85. Adjust bitumen content to 5.0–6.5% per your job mix formula and design traffic ESALs.
Add Cost & Calculate
Enter the current North Carolina asphalt price per ton (typically $85–$165/ton). Click Calculate for total tonnage, materials breakdown, and project cost estimate. NC's warm humid climate allows a longer paving season than northern states — typically March through November statewide.
Frequently Asked Questions
NCDOT uses Superpave mix design with their own designation system. Common surface mixes are S9.5B (9.5 mm nominal max aggregate, standard traffic) and S9.5C (high-traffic). I19 and I25 are intermediate layer mixes, and B25.0 and B37.5 are base course mixes. The letter suffix (B, C, D) indicates the design traffic level based on ESALs over the design life.
North Carolina asphalt material prices typically range from $85–$165 per ton. Charlotte metro and Research Triangle (Raleigh-Durham) areas are at the mid-to-high end, while rural western NC mountain areas may run higher due to longer haul distances. Residential driveway paving in NC costs approximately $3–$6 per square foot installed. NCDOT publishes bid results that reflect current market pricing.
NCDOT has approved Warm Mix Asphalt (WMA) technologies including foamed asphalt, chemical additives (Sasobit, Evotherm), and water-injection systems. WMA is produced at 250–275°F compared to 300–320°F for traditional hot mix, reducing energy consumption, emissions, and binder aging. NCDOT permits WMA use on projects where extended haul distances or nighttime paving conditions make lower mix temperatures advantageous.
Both are NCDOT Superpave surface mixes with a 9.5 mm nominal maximum aggregate size, but the letter suffix indicates the design traffic level. S9.5B is designed for standard traffic (1–10 million ESALs over the design life) and uses a standard PG 64-22 binder — appropriate for residential streets, secondary routes, parking lots, and collector roads. S9.5C is designed for high-traffic roads (10–30 million ESALs) such as primary US routes, urban arterials, and interstates — it requires a stiffer binder (PG 70-22 or polymer-modified PG 64-22) for improved rutting resistance under heavy truck loads and NC's hot summer temperatures. Using S9.5B on a high-traffic route will result in premature rutting. Always confirm the required mix type from the NCDOT plans or a licensed pavement engineer for your specific project.
A typical North Carolina residential driveway (40 ft × 12 ft = 480 sq ft) with a standard 2-inch S9.5B surface: 480 × (2/12) × 110 ÷ 2,000 = 4.4 short tons. With 5% waste = order approximately 4.6 tons. NC's milder climate means thinner pavement sections are acceptable compared to northern states — a 2-inch surface over a 4-inch NCDOT ABC (Aggregate Base Course) stone base is standard for most residential driveways. For a wider driveway (14 ft × 60 ft = 840 sq ft at 2 inches) = approximately 7.7 tons. Use the Square Feet Calculator to quickly estimate from area dimensions.
North Carolina's climate ranges from the warm coastal Outer Banks to the cool Blue Ridge Mountains, so NCDOT selects binder grades by region. Coastal Plain (Wilmington, New Bern, Outer Banks) — hot summers and mild winters require PG 70-22 on high-traffic routes and PG 64-22 on secondary roads. Piedmont (Charlotte, Raleigh, Greensboro) — the most populous region uses PG 64-22 as standard, with PG 70-22 on interstates and heavily trafficked urban corridors. Mountain (Asheville, Boone, Murphy) — cooler temperatures allow PG 64-22 statewide, with PG 58-28 at higher elevations (>4,000 ft) in the western-most counties. NCDOT's binder grade map and specification guidance should always be consulted for project-specific selection.
Yes — North Carolina's hot, humid summers (peak pavement temperatures can exceed 140°F in the Piedmont and coastal regions) create real rutting risk on high-traffic roads using standard PG 64-22 mixes. NCDOT addresses this by: (1) mandating PG 70-22 (polymer-modified) on interstates and primary routes in the Piedmont and coastal plain; (2) requiring S9.5C or S12.5C mix design (stiffer, higher gyration count) on heavily trafficked routes; (3) using SMA at some high-stress locations (steep grades, bus stops, intersection approaches) where channelized truck traffic causes severe rutting. Homeowners and commercial property managers should specify S9.5C or a PG 70-22 binder mix for driveways with heavy truck deliveries or bus routes, even though it costs 10–20% more than standard S9.5B.