Concrete price by yard — delivered cost
How Much Is Concrete by the Yard?
Answer first: 3 yards of concrete costs $485–$645 delivered (material + delivery, no short-load fee). 5 yards: $725–$975. 10 yards: $1,325–$1,775. This calculator breaks down concrete cost by the yard — material rate, delivery fee, and short-load exposure — so you can verify any supplier quote.
3 yards (most common order — hits the minimum)
$485–$645 all-in delivered
Material $360–$495 + delivery $125. At 3 yd³ you hit the standard minimum — no short-load fee. Covers a 10×12 ft slab at 4 in. TikTok contractors confirm: most residential pours start at 3 yards.
10-yard truck (full load — best per-yard price)
$1,350–$1,800 all-in delivered
A full ready-mix truck carries 8–10 yards. At 10 yd³ delivery is included or heavily discounted. Best price per yard. Covers a 20×20 ft garage slab with waste factored in. Reddit reports: $207/yd all-in in NC, $170/yd in rural MO.
What you actually pay vs the quoted per-yard price
$120–$165/yd quoted → $170–$210/yd all-in
The gap: fuel surcharge ($10–$20/yd), short-load fee ($50–$100 flat), environmental fee ($5–$10), and delivery. Always ask for the all-in delivered total, not just the material price per yard.
Under 3 yards (small project — beware short-load)
$120–$165/yd + $50–$100 short-load fee
For 1–2 yd³, compare with bagged concrete (90 bags × $5 = $450 for 1 yd³) vs ready-mix + short-load. For anything over 1 yd³, ready-mix usually wins even with the fee.
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How much is a yard of concrete in 2026?
A yard of concrete costs $120–$165 for material plus $100–$150 for delivery in 2026, totaling $220–$315 per cubic yard delivered. However, most projects start at 3 cubic yards (the typical minimum), making the minimum order $485–$645 all-in. The national average is about $137/yd³ for material. Reddit contractors in 2026 report $170/yd in rural Missouri and $207/yd all-in in North Carolina after all fees.
How much is a 10-yard truck of concrete?
A full 10-yard truck of concrete costs $1,350–$1,800 all-in delivered. Material: $1,200–$1,650 at $120–$165/yd³. At 10 yards, delivery is typically included or reduced since you are getting a full load. This is the most cost-efficient order size — you get the lowest per-yard price and no short-load fees. A 10-yard pour covers a 20×20 ft garage slab at 4 inches with waste included.
How much is 3 yards of concrete delivered?
Three yards of concrete costs $485–$645 delivered: $360–$495 for material plus $100–$150 for delivery. At 3 yards you hit the standard minimum order size, so no short-load fee applies. Three yards fills a 10×12 ft slab at 4 inches. This is the most common residential concrete order.
How much is 5 yards of concrete?
Five yards of concrete costs $725–$975 delivered: $600–$825 for material plus $125–$150 for delivery. Five yards covers a 15×16 ft slab at 4 inches, or a typical driveway pad. No short-load fee applies at this volume. Per-yard cost: about $145–$195 all-in.
How much is 2 yards of concrete?
Two yards of concrete costs $390–$580 all-in, including a short-load fee. Material: $240–$330. Delivery: $100–$150. Short-load fee: $50–$100 for being under the 3 yd³ minimum. For just 2 yards, compare with bagged concrete: 90 bags of 80 lb = $450–$630, so ready-mix + short-load can still be competitive if you have delivery access.
What is the real all-in price of concrete per yard?
The quoted material price ($120–$165/yd) is not what you actually pay. The all-in delivered price adds: delivery fee ($100–$150 flat), fuel surcharge ($10–$20/yd), environmental fee ($5–$10 flat), and short-load fee ($50–$100 if under 3 yd³). Real all-in prices in 2026: $170–$210/yd depending on region. Always ask for the total delivered cost, not just the per-yard material price.
Why does concrete cost different amounts in different areas?
Concrete price varies by region due to: aggregate and cement quarry proximity (rural Missouri near a plant: $170/yd vs North Carolina: $207/yd), local labor costs, fuel surcharges for distance, and demand. Northeast and West Coast run 20–40% higher. Rural areas with nearby batch plants often have the best prices. City areas pay premiums for traffic and access restrictions.
How many yards of concrete do I need?
Formula: Length (ft) × Width (ft) × Thickness (in) ÷ 12 ÷ 27 × 1.1 (10% waste). Examples: 10×10 ft at 4 in = 1.4 yd³. 20×20 ft at 4 in = 5.4 yd³. 24×24 ft garage at 4 in = 7.8 yd³. One extra inch of thickness adds more than you think: a 20×20 going from 4 to 5 in adds 1.3 extra yards.
What is a short-load fee for concrete?
A short-load fee is a surcharge of $50–$100 when you order less than the supplier minimum (usually 3 cubic yards). It covers the cost of sending a truck for a small order. Workaround: order at least 3 yd³, combine with a neighbor's pour, use a mini-mix supplier, or use bagged concrete for pours under 1 yard.
Is concrete cheaper than asphalt for a driveway?
No — concrete is more expensive upfront but cheaper long-term. Concrete driveway: $4,000–$8,500 installed. Asphalt: $3,000–$5,000 installed. However, asphalt needs resurfacing every 15–20 years ($1,500–$3,000) and sealing every 3–5 years ($100–$300). Concrete lasts 30–50 years with minimal maintenance. Over 30 years, total cost of ownership is similar.
How much does it cost per square foot of concrete?
Concrete costs $6–$12 per square foot installed. Plain broom finish: $6–$8/sq ft. Stamped: $12–$22/sq ft. The material-only cost is $1.50–$3/sq ft; labor adds $3–$7/sq ft. At $10/sq ft average, a 20×20 ft driveway pad (400 sq ft) costs about $4,000 installed.
How thick should a concrete driveway be?
Standard residential driveways should be 4 inches thick minimum. For heavy vehicles (trucks, RVs), use 5–6 inches. Increase to 6 inches for cold climates with freeze-thaw cycles. Each extra inch adds about 25% more concrete: a 20×20 ft driveway goes from 5.4 yd³ at 4 in to 6.7 yd³ at 5 in — that extra yard costs $120–$165 in material.
Planning disclaimer
Concrete prices vary significantly by region, supplier, mix design, and delivery distance. These are national average estimates for 2026. Always get 3 quotes from local ready-mix suppliers before ordering.