What Is Asphalt Milling?
Roads wear down over time from weather and heavy use. Asphalt milling offers a cost-effective way to restore a road’s surface without tearing up the entire foundation. This process removes damaged layers and creates a solid base for repaving, saving time and money.
Asphalt Milling Explained
Asphalt milling, also called cold milling or cold planing, removes the surface of existing pavement. A milling machine grinds away the damaged layer, leaving a smooth base for repaving. Depending on the project, crews can remove just the top layer or the full depth of asphalt.
When to Use Asphalt Milling
Milling is ideal when the top layer of asphalt is damaged but the base is still sound. It’s widely used for roads, sidewalks, parking lots, and driveways. Discarded asphalt, called millings, can also be recycled into new pavement, making the process efficient and eco-friendly.
Common issues asphalt milling solves include:
- Cracking: Milling removes cracks that allow water and debris into the pavement
- Bleeding: Cold planing eliminates oily films caused by asphalt binders.
- Raveling: Milling clears loose aggregate from disintegrating pavement, improving safety and surface quality.
How the Asphalt Milling Process Works
The milling process typically follows five steps:
- Assess: Evaluate the condition of the pavement and decide if milling is appropriate.
- Prepare: Use a milling machine to grind away the damaged asphalt at the chosen depth.
- Collect: Load the millings into a dump truck for reuse in new pavement.
- Clean: Sweep or wash away dust and debris to prepare the base surface.
- Pave: Lay down a new asphalt layer, often incorporating recycled millings.
Equipment Used in Asphalt Milling
Several machines support the milling process, each with a specific role:
Milling machines (cold planers) use a rotating drum and cutters to grind the pavement into reusable millings.
Haul trucks collect and transport millings from the site.
Water trucks spray water to control dust during cleanup.
Sweepers clear leftover debris and aggregate to create a clean surface.
After milling, crews use standard paving equipment. Machines like asphalt pavers and compactors apply and smooth the new road surface for safe driving.
Benefits of Asphalt Milling
Asphalt milling provides a middle ground between patching potholes and full replacement. It restores surfaces quickly while conserving resources. Key benefits include:
Safety: Milling removes ruts, bumps and cracks, improving driving conditions.
Cost savings: Milling and resurfacing cost less than full reconstruction.
Convenience: Traffic can continue in one lane while the other is milled and repaved.
Sustainability: Millings are recycled into new pavement, lowering energy and material use.
Get Rental Equipment for Asphalt Milling
The Cat® Rental Store provides the machines you need for asphalt milling. Our dealer network offers cold planers, sweepers, haul trucks and other roadwork equipment to keep your project moving.
Explore our road construction equipment, request a quick quote or find a dealer near you to get started today.
FAQs About Asphalt Milling
- What is asphalt milling used for?
It removes damaged pavement layers to prepare a smooth base for repaving while recycling the removed material.
Is asphalt milling cost-effective?
Yes. Milling and resurfacing save money compared to replacing the full asphalt and base.
Can traffic use the road during milling?
In many cases, yes. Crews can mill one lane while traffic continues in the other, reducing disruption.
