[Purposes] This work aims to review the research status of the role of carbon nanomaterial graphene in asphalt mixtures. [Methods] Various microscopic and macroscopic test results and conclusions were compared and analyzed by referring to the relevant literature on graphene?modified asphalt mixtures at home and abroad. Then the mechanism and effect of graphene in asphalt mixture were systematically summarized. [Findings] Graphene or its derivative material is intercalated and stripped by asphalt after mixing with asphalt to form a dense layered structure inside, which effectively delayed the aging of asphalt, meanwhile, the formed dense layered structure increased the content of C=C in asphalt, and improved the surface free energy of asphalt. The mechanisms of its modified asphalt mixture were isolation, chemical bond energy, lubrication and adhesion. The properties of graphene?modified asphalt mixture such as high temperature rutting resistance, low temperature cracking resistance, water stability, compaction, anti?aging and healing were significantly enhanced. [Conclusions] Graphene has an obvious improvement effect on the road performance of asphalt mixture, which provided a new idea for developing subsequent road engineering. The research on reducing the use cost of graphene and the optimum content of graphene in asphalt mixture needs further discussion.