PURPOSES : This study primarily focused on evaluating the performance characteristics of 4.75-mm nominal maximum aggregate size (NMAS) asphalt mixtures for their more effective implementation to a layered flexible pavement system. METHODS: The full-scale pavements in the FDOT’s accelerated pavement testing (APT) program, including 4.75-mm mixtures at the top with different thicknesses and asphalt binder types, were considered for the faster and more realistic evaluation of the rutting performance. The results of superpave indirect tensile (IDT) tests and hot-mix asphalt fracture mechanics (HMA-FM) based model predictions were used for cracking performance assessments. RESULTS: The results indicated that the rutting performance of pavement structures with 4.75-mm mixtures may not be as good as to those with the typical 12.5-mm mixtures, and pavement rutting was primarily confined to the top layer of 4.75-mm mixtures. This was likely due to the relatively higher mixture instability and lower shear resistance compared to 12.5-mm mixtures. The energy ratio (ER) and HMA-FM based model performance prediction results showed a potential benefit of 4.75-mm mixtures in enhanced cracking resistance. CONCLUSIONS : In relation to their implementation, the best use of 4.75-mm mixtures seem to be as a surface course for low-trafficvolume applications. These mixtures can also be properly used as a preservation treatment that does not necessarily last as long as 12.5-mm NMAS structural mixes. It is recommended that adequate thicknesses and binder types be considered for the proper application of a 4.75-mm mixture in asphalt pavements to effectively resist both rutting and cracking.