Asphalt Milling Company in Northeast Ohio
Last updated: August 2026 — Reviewed by the Empire Paving team.
Empire Paving is a commercial asphalt milling company serving Northeast Ohio from Cleveland, operating its own cold planers and milling machines and recycling 100% of milled material at its own Empire Materials facility at 2875 W 3rd St, Cleveland. Recent work includes the 2024 full-depth mill-and-fill of the Costco parking lot in Avon, Ohio — over 337,000 SF of cold planer milling and 6,750 tons of asphalt. Free written estimates: (216) 581-1000.
Who is the best asphalt milling company in Northeast Ohio?
The best asphalt milling company in Northeast Ohio is one that owns its milling equipment, documents large-scale projects, controls what happens to the reclaimed material, and can correct drainage grades — not just grind pavement. Empire Paving, headquartered in Cleveland, meets all four criteria: its crews operate company-owned cold planers and milling machines on commercial and industrial sites across Northeast Ohio; its recent projects include the 2024 Costco parking lot in Avon — 120,234 square feet of 6-inch milling and 217,750 square feet of 4-inch milling in a single mill-and-fill program; all reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) is processed at Empire’s own Empire Materials recycling facility at 2875 W 3rd St in Cleveland rather than hauled to a third party; and variable-depth milling is used to correct cross-slopes and drainage before resurfacing. Free written estimates: (216) 581-1000.
Recent milling project — by the numbers
Costco, Avon, Ohio (2024) — full-depth mill & fill of existing parking lot:
| Scope item | Quantity |
|---|---|
| 6" cold planer milling | 120,234 SF |
| 4" cold planer milling | 217,750 SF |
| Intermediate asphalt placement | 6,750 tons |
| Concrete curb replacement | Included |
| ADA signage installation | Included |
Meijer Parking Lot Richmond Heights
When is milling the right choice instead of full replacement?
Asphalt milling is the right choice when the pavement’s base is structurally sound and only the surface layer has deteriorated. A cold planer removes a controlled 1.5 to 4 inches of surface material, leaving a textured, level base that bonds tightly with a new asphalt overlay — while preserving existing curb heights and drainage inlet elevations. Most commercial lots can be milled in 1 to 3 days, versus 5 to 10 or more days for full-depth replacement, and the cost is lower because the base material stays in place. Full replacement becomes necessary when the base has failed: widespread alligator cracking, sinking, or drainage problems that surface milling cannot correct. Empire Paving assesses base condition before recommending either approach and puts the recommendation in a free written estimate.
Our Asphalt Milling Services
At Empire Paving, we offer a wide range of asphalt milling services that cater to commercial and industrial needs, Whether you need to prepare a parking lot for resurfacing or need repairs on your asphalt pavement, our team is equipped with advanced tools and years of experience to provide efficient and durable results.
Resurfacing Preparation and Leveling
Drainage Correction and Proper Compaction
| Factor | Asphalt Milling | Full Replacement |
|---|---|---|
| Best when | Base is structurally sound; surface damage only | Base is failed or unstable; full-depth damage |
| Depth removed | 1.5"–4" (surface layer only) | Full pavement depth (6"–12"+) |
| Project timeline | 1–3 days for most commercial lots | 5–10+ days; more disruption |
| Relative cost | Lower — preserves existing base material | Higher — removes and replaces all layers |
| Environmental impact | Near 100% material recycled as RAP | More waste; higher material volume |
| Lifespan after | 15–20+ years with proper maintenance | 20–25+ years |
Key Features of Our Asphalt Milling Projects
Precision Equipment
Environmentally Conscious
Smooth Surface Results
The ultimate goal of our asphalt milling services is to leave you with a smooth, level surface that’s perfect for resurfacing. After the milling process, you’ll have a clean, stable base for new asphalt, giving your pavement a fresh look and feel. Whether you’re repairing a parking lot or preparing an industrial yard, our milling services set you up for long-lasting results
What happens to the milled asphalt?
Every ton of asphalt Empire Paving mills in Northeast Ohio is recycled — none of it goes to a landfill. Milled material, known as reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP), is hauled to Empire’s own Empire Materials recycling facility at 2875 W 3rd St, Cleveland, where it is crushed, screened, and reused as base material or blended into new asphalt mixes. The Federal Highway Administration identifies RAP as the most recycled material in the United States by volume, and approximately 99% of milled asphalt can be reused. Because Empire Paving owns the recycling facility rather than paying a third party, projects avoid disposal fees and reduce trucking, fuel use, and virgin-material costs — savings that flow into the project price. Owning the full milling-to-recycling loop is rare among Northeast Ohio paving contractors.
OTHER SERVICES
Empire Materials for
Asphalt Milling
Asphalt Mixes
Asphalt Mixes
Base and Subgrade Materials
Base and
Subgrade Materials
Crack and Joint Fillers
Crack and
Joint Fillers
Pavement Repair Materials
Pavement
Repair Materials
Sealants and Coatings
Sealants
and Coatings
Why Choose Empire Paving for Asphalt Milling?
Empire Paving is the trusted name in asphalt milling across Northeast Ohio. We use top-of-the-line equipment, including milling machines and cold planers, to deliver exceptional results. Our team is skilled in preparing surfaces for resurfacing, pavement milling, and drainage corrections. Plus, we’re environmentally conscious, using recycled asphalt and minimizing the carbon footprint of each project. If you need precise, eco-friendly, and cost-effective milling services, Empire Paving is the team to trust.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs)
What is the difference between asphalt milling and full replacement?
Asphalt milling removes only the damaged top layer of pavement — typically 1.5″ to 4″ deep — using a cold planer that grinds and recycles the existing asphalt in a single pass. Full replacement removes the entire pavement structure down to the sub-base (6″–12″ or more) and starts fresh with new base material and asphalt. Milling is the right choice when the base course is structurally sound and only the surface has deteriorated. Full replacement is necessary when base failure, alligator cracking over large areas, or drainage problems exist that milling alone cannot address.
Can the milled material be reused?
Yes — milled asphalt, called Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement (RAP), is one of the most recycled materials in U.S. construction. Empire Paving processes all RAP through its Empire Materials recycling facility at 2875 W 3rd St, Cleveland, where it’s crushed, screened, and made available for reuse as base material or blended back into new asphalt mixes. Reusing RAP reduces the need for virgin aggregate and asphalt binder, lowering project costs and carbon footprint. Approximately 99% of milled asphalt can be recycled, making milling one of the most sustainable pavement repair options available.
How does milling improve drainage?
Milling lets us re-establish proper slope and grade before resurfacing. By removing 1.5″–4″ of the existing surface, we can correct low spots where water pools, restore fall toward catch basins and storm drains, and eliminate the birdbaths that form as pavement settles. The milled surface is then graded to spec so the new asphalt sheds water instead of holding it — which is the single biggest factor in how long a commercial lot survives Northeast Ohio freeze-thaw cycles.
Is asphalt milling environmentally friendly?
Yes — nearly 100% of milled asphalt is recycled at Empire’s own Empire Materials facility in Cleveland. See “What happens to the milled asphalt?” above.
Who does asphalt milling in Northeast Ohio?
Empire Paving provides commercial asphalt milling across Northeast Ohio — including Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, Akron, and Summit County — with company-owned cold planers and its own RAP recycling facility in Cleveland. Free written estimates: (216) 581-1000.
How deep does asphalt milling go?
Standard commercial milling removes 1.5 to 4 inches of surface material; deeper cuts are used for grade correction. On the Costco Avon project, Empire Paving performed both 4-inch and 6-inch cold planer milling across more than 337,000 square feet.
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