An improved process for making asphalt involves incorporating tar sands into a hot asphalt mix process and modifying the process. The improved process involves using a heated asphalt counter-flow drum mixer to admix asphaltic cement, coarse aggregate, and fine aggregate. During this mixing process, the admixture is heated to produce the asphaltic concrete. In the improved process from about 20 to about 80 percent tar sand is mixed with from about 80 to about 20 percent aggregate and from about 1 to less than about 5 percent liquid asphalt cement in a drum mixer to form an admixture, heating the admixture to a first elevated temperature (e.g., 250.degree. and 400.degree. F.) for a set period of time (e.g., 40 to about 90 seconds); and discharging the heated admixture at a second elevated temperature (e.g., from about 150.degree. to about 350.degree. F.) to produce asphaltic concrete. Preferably, the aggregate has a gradation of 10 to 25 percent passing a #4 sieve, and the admixture has substantially no added fines.