Ready Mix Concrete Near Me: Find, Order, and Price

Answer first: ready-mix concrete is ordered by the cubic yard, typically $130–$200 per yard depending on your region, with a delivery fee of $100–$200 and usually a minimum order of 1–3 yards. For a residential project under 3 yards, a short-load surcharge often applies.

Use the Ready Mix Concrete Near Me Calculator to find local suppliers, estimate delivered cost, and compare your options.

How ready-mix concrete pricing works

Ready-mix concrete pricing has three main components:

A typical minimum order is 1 yard at most plants, but the minimum billable load (to avoid the short-load fee) is often 3 yards. If you need 1.5 yards, you may be billed for 3 yards, or pay a short-load fee on top of the actual volume.

Example: 10×10 ft slab at 4 inches

• Volume with 10% waste: 1.36 yd³
• Concrete at $165/yd: $224.40
• Delivery fee: $125
• No short-load fee (if ordering at least 1 yd and paying the minimum)
• Total material + delivery: $349.40

But if the plant has a 3-yard minimum with no short-load option:

• 3 yd × $165 = $495 + $125 delivery = $620 total

This is why it is critical to ask about minimums and short-load fees before placing an order. Use the Concrete Delivery Cost Calculator to model both scenarios with your local prices.

How to find ready-mix concrete plants near you

1. Call regional and national producers

The largest ready-mix suppliers operate plants in most US metro areas:

• CEMEX (cemexusa.com) — national network
• Vulcan Materials — southeastern and western US
• Martin Marietta — southeastern US
• LaFargeHolcim (now Holcim US) — nationwide
• US Concrete — metro markets

Search "[company name] concrete plant near me" or use their plant locator tools on their websites.

2. Search local independents

Independent ready-mix plants often offer more flexible minimums and faster scheduling for residential work. Search:

• "ready mix concrete [your city]"
• "concrete plant near [zip code]"
• "concrete delivery [your city]"

Google Maps is useful for finding plants within 15–30 miles. Plants beyond 30 miles typically charge higher delivery fees.

3. Get quotes from multiple plants

Prices vary significantly even within the same metro area. Getting 2–3 quotes takes 15 minutes and can save $100–$400 on a typical residential pour.

Questions to ask every plant:

• Price per yard for [your mix design, typically 3,000 or 4,000 psi]
• Delivery fee to your address
• Minimum order and minimum billable load
• Short-load surcharge if you are under the minimum
• Scheduling lead time (often 1–3 days for residential)
• Chute length included vs pump required

Mix designs and pricing

For most residential driveways, patios, and garage slabs, 4,000 psi is the standard specification. Some contractors default to 3,000 psi to reduce cost — ask for 4,000 psi if you are in a climate with freeze-thaw cycles.

Minimum orders and short-load fees explained

Short-load alternatives:

• Mini-mix trucks: some companies offer smaller trucks (1–3 yd) at higher per-yard prices without minimum penalties — see Mini Mix Concrete Pricing
• Volumetric concrete trucks: mix on-site, charge only for what you use — see Volumetric Concrete Pricing
• Concrete bags: always available in small quantities — use the Ready-Mix vs Bags Calculator to compare

Delivery logistics to confirm before ordering

Distance and travel time: Most plants charge a flat delivery fee regardless of exact distance within their service radius, but plants far from your job site may charge extra for extended travel time.

Concrete truck access: A standard concrete truck is 9–10 feet wide and weighs 60,000–70,000 lbs fully loaded. Confirm:

• Driveway or path is at least 10 feet wide
• Ground can support the truck weight
• Overhead clearance is sufficient (utility lines, trees)
• Turnaround space is available

If a truck cannot reach the pour area, a concrete pump is required. See the Concrete Pump vs Wheelbarrow Calculator to decide.

Discharge time: Most plants allow 60–90 minutes of discharge time before charging a waiting fee. Plan your crew and forms to be ready before the truck arrives.

What to tell the plant when you order

1. Mix design: "4,000 psi standard residential mix" is enough for most jobs
2. Volume: your calculated cubic yards (round up to next 0.5 yd)
3. Delivery address: including access notes if needed
4. Delivery date and time window: most residential orders book 1–3 days out
5. Slump: most residential work uses 4–5 inch slump; pumped concrete uses 5–6 inch slump
6. Admixtures if needed: accelerator (cold weather), retarder (hot weather)

Using the delivery ticket

Every ready-mix truck delivers a delivery ticket. Review it before signing:

• Verify the mix design matches what you ordered
• Check the water content and note the target slump
• Record the ticket number for warranty and quality claims

Use the Ready-Mix Delivery Ticket Checklist to verify your ticket on delivery day.

Next steps

Calculate your required volume and total delivered cost with the Ready Mix Concrete Near Me Calculator. Compare ready-mix vs bags for your project with the Ready-Mix vs Bags Calculator. If you are getting contractor quotes that include concrete, review them with the Concrete Quote Reviewer.