How Many Yards of Concrete in a Cement Truck? (All Sizes)

Answer first: a standard rear-discharge ready-mix cement truck holds 8–10 cubic yards of concrete. Most suppliers have a minimum order of 3 yards. A front-discharge mixer typically holds 10–12 yards.

Cement Truck Capacity by Type

Why Minimum Orders Matter

If you need 1.5 cubic yards but the supplier minimum is 3 yards, you pay for 3 yards. The extra 1.5 yards costs you money for concrete you do not use.

Short-load fees: Many suppliers charge a short-load fee (typically $50–$200) when your order falls below the minimum. Some charge per unused yard. Always ask:

• What is your minimum order?
• Do you charge a short-load fee?
• Is there a mini-mix option for small pours?

How Much Does a Full Truck of Concrete Weigh?

A cubic yard of concrete weighs approximately 4,050 lb (2.0 tons) wet. A full 10 yd³ truck load weighs:

• 40,500 lb of concrete (~20 tons)
• Plus the truck itself: typically 25,000–35,000 lb (empty)
• Total loaded weight: approximately 65,000–75,000 lb (32–37 tons)

This is why concrete trucks need reinforced access roads and can damage residential driveways. Ask your supplier about axle weight limits before dispatch.

Drum Rotation and Delivery Time

Ready-mix concrete has a limited life once water is added:

• 90 minutes is the typical maximum time from batching to discharge
• The drum rotates during transit to keep concrete from setting
• Once at the site, most suppliers allow 5–7 minutes per yard of unload time before wait-time fees apply
• A typical pour of 5 yards at 5 min/yard = 25 minutes to discharge

Wait-time fees: typically $1–$3 per minute after the grace period. Have your crew, forms, and equipment ready before the truck arrives.

Cement Truck vs Concrete Truck: What Is the Difference?

Technically, a cement truck carries dry cement powder in a pressurized tanker. A concrete truck (or ready-mix truck) carries mixed concrete. In everyday usage, most people say "cement truck" when they mean a ready-mix concrete truck. This guide covers ready-mix delivery trucks.

How Many Trucks Do I Need?

Divide your project volume by the truck capacity (use 8 yd³ as a conservative estimate):

For large pours, stagger the trucks so each arrives as the previous one finishes discharging. A concrete pump can help with large flat pours.

Calculate Your Concrete Needs

Use the how many yards of concrete in a cement truck calculator for delivery minimums, short-load fees, and truck-load planning, or the concrete delivery cost calculator to compare supplier quotes and check for hidden delivery fees.

When to Order a Full Truck vs a Short Load

Order a full truck (8–10 yd³) when:

• Your project needs 7+ cubic yards in a single continuous pour (garage slab, driveway, foundation)
• Multiple pours of 3–4 yd³ each are acceptable and you can schedule separate deliveries
• You want the best per-yard price — full loads minimize or eliminate short-load fees

Order a short load (1–4 yd³) when:

• Your project genuinely needs 2–3 yd³ and you have confirmed the supplier's minimum and short-load fee upfront
• The short-load fee ($50–$200) is still less than mixing bags would cost in time and rental equipment
• You are repairing a driveway, pouring a walkway, or filling a small footing

Use bags when:

• Your project needs less than 1 cubic yard and site access is easy
• Ready-mix minimums and delivery fees make the cost uncompetitive
• You can stage the pour over multiple days without structural issues