Abstract This study aims to characterize the rate of change that takes place in the rheological properties of asphalt binders modified with numerous types and contents of nano-materials. The effects of nano-materials on the activation energy of modified asphalt binders under the viscous and visco-elastic behavior were also investigated. Through the research findings, the application of non-dimensional analyses using relative viscosity and relative G ∗ /sin δ (NSRP) are very meaningful to evaluate the rate of change in the rheological properties of asphalt binder per one unit percent of nano-material. It is also found that the non-dimensional viscosity index (∇ η ) and non-dimensional Superpave™ rutting factor gradient (∇NSRP) are influenced by the type and content of nano-material, and test temperature. The activation energy analysis has confirmed that the changes in amount of energy consumed are not only influenced by the type and content of nano-material, but also the physical phase of the modified asphalt binders.