How Much Does Concrete Cost?
Concrete costs $4–$8 per square foot installed, or $110–$165 per cubic yard delivered. A typical 10×10 slab (1.23 yards) costs $140–$200 in materials, or $500–$800 installed. Below is a complete price breakdown by unit and project type.
How much is a yard of concrete?
A cubic yard of ready-mix concrete costs $110–$165 delivered. The material itself (cement, aggregate, water) accounts for about $90–$120; delivery fees add $20–$45. Ready-mix trucks typically carry 8–10 cubic yards per trip, so small orders (under 1 yard) often have a minimum charge of $150–$200.
Bagged concrete (Quikrete, Sakrete) costs more per yard: about $80–$110 in bags for 1 cubic yard (45 bags of 80 lb). But bags make sense for small pours — no truck, no minimum charge.
Concrete cost by project
What affects concrete cost?
- Concrete strength (PSI) — 3,000 PSI is standard for driveways; 4,000+ PSI for heavy loads costs 10–15% more.
- Delivery distance — Ready-mix plants charge $0.50–$1.00 per mile beyond a local radius.
- Small load fee — Orders under 3 cubic yards often carry a $50–$100 surcharge.
- Reinforcement — Wire mesh or rebar adds $0.30–$0.50 per square foot.
- Fiber reinforcement — Fibermesh is cheaper than rebar at $0.10–$0.15 per sq ft.
- Finish — Broom finish is standard (included); stamped or colored concrete adds $3–$10 per sq ft.
- Removal — Tearing out old concrete costs $2–$6 per sq ft depending on thickness and access.
Ready-mix delivery cost
A full truckload (8–10 yards) of ready-mix concrete delivered costs $900–$1,650 total. Short loads (1–3 yards) cost $150–$350 minimum. Most suppliers add a delivery fee of $20–$45 within their service area. For sites more than 20 miles from the plant, expect $1–$2 per mile. Some companies also charge a fuel surcharge of $10–$30 during high fuel price periods.
DIY bags vs ready-mix vs contractor
| Method | Per Sq Ft Cost | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| DIY bags | $1.50–$3.00 | Small pours under 1 yard |
| DIY ready-mix | $2.50–$4.50 | Medium pours 2–8 yards |
| Contractor installed | $4–$8 | Any size; labor and finish included |
| Stamped/colored | $8–$18 | Decorative patios, walkways |
Concrete prices by region
Concrete costs vary significantly by location. The national average is around $137/yd, but your local market matters. Here are typical ranges for delivered ready-mix:
| Region | Per Cubic Yard | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Northeast (NY, MA, CT) | $145–$185 | Highest labor + fuel costs |
| Southeast (TX, FL, GA) | $110–$145 | More competitive markets |
| Midwest (OH, IL, MN) | $120–$155 | Average national range |
| West Coast (CA, WA) | $150–$195 | High labor + transport |
| Mountain West (CO, AZ) | $125–$160 | Growing demand 2024–2026 |