PURPOSES : The objective of this study is to develop a simple regression model in designing the asphalt concrete (AC) overlay thickness using the Mechanistic-empirical pavement design guide (MEPDG) program. METHODS: To establish the AC overlay design equation, multiple regression analyses were performed based on the synthetic database for AC thickness design, which was generated using the MEPDG program. The climate in Seoul city, a modified Hirsh model for determining dynamic modulus of asphalt material, and a new damaged master curve approach were used in this study. Meanwhile, the proposed rutting model developed in Seoul city was then used to calibrate the rutting model in the MEPDG program. The AC overlay design equation is a function of the total AC thickness, the ratio of AC overlay thickness and existing AC thickness, the ratio of existing AC modulus and AC overlay modulus, the subgrade condition, and the annual average daily truck traffic (AADTT). RESULTS: The regression model was verified by comparing the predicted AC thickness, the AADTT from the model and the MEPDG. The regression model shows a correlation coefficient of 0.98 in determining the AC thickness and 0.97 in determining AADTT. In addition, the data in Seoul city was used to validate the regression model. The result shows that correlation coefficient between the predicted and measured AADTT is 0.64. This indicates that the current model is more accuracy than the previous study which showed a correlation coefficient of 0.427. CONCLUSIONS: The high correlation coefficient values indicate that the regression equations can predict the AC thickness accurately.