Estimate a ready-mix order
Estimated delivered total
Cost breakdown
| Component | Low | Average | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Material (incl. waste) | - | - | - |
| Delivery / dispatch | - | - | - |
| Short-load charge | - | - | - |
| Other fees | - | - | - |
| Sales tax | - | - | - |
| Total delivered cost | - | - | - |
Request Local Provider Options
Enter your ZIP code or city to start a quote request. Provider availability is not guaranteed.
Concrete price per yard by strength
Material prices are quoted per cubic yard and rise with compressive strength. Typical 2026 national ranges before delivery charges:
| Strength (PSI) | Typical use | Price per yard |
|---|---|---|
| 3,000 PSI | Sidewalks, patios, non-structural slabs | $145 – $175 |
| 3,500 PSI | Driveways, residential slabs | $155 – $185 |
| 4,000 PSI | Driveways in cold climates, garage floors | $165 – $210 |
| 4,500 PSI | Heavy-use slabs, RV pads | $180 – $230 |
| 5,000 PSI | Structural work, high-load areas | $195 – $250 |
These are planning ranges, not a nationwide quote. The calculator above starts at $175 per yard as an editable assumption – replace it with your supplier’s price sheet.
Concrete cost per yard vs. total delivered cost
The quoted price per yard is only the material. The invoice also includes delivery, possible short-load charges, fuel or environmental fees, and tax. On a small order those fixed charges can push the effective cost far above the per-yard quote. The calculator separates each charge so the real total stays visible.
Concrete truck load cost
A full ready-mix truck carries about 8 to 10 cubic yards. At $150-$200 per yard, a full load is roughly $1,200-$2,000 of material, or about $1,350-$2,250 delivered with typical dispatch fees.
| Order | Material (at $175/yd) | Typical delivered total |
|---|---|---|
| 2 cubic yards (small order) | $350 | $650 – $850 |
| 5 cubic yards | $875 | $1,050 – $1,300 |
| 8 cubic yards (full load) | $1,400 | $1,550 – $1,850 |
| 10 cubic yards | $1,750 | $1,900 – $2,250 |
Ready mix concrete delivery cost
Delivery or dispatch fees commonly run $100-$250 per load, depending on distance and local fuel costs. Weekend pours, wait time beyond the allowed unloading window, and fuel surcharges add more. Ask the supplier to itemize delivery separately from material so you can compare quotes fairly.
Minimum concrete order and short-load charges
Many plants set a minimum order of 3 to 5 cubic yards or apply a short-load fee for smaller loads – commonly $20-$40 for each yard below the full-load threshold (8 yards in the calculator’s defaults). For small jobs, bags from a home center can be cheaper than a short ready-mix load; for anything above roughly one cubic yard, ready-mix usually wins.
4000 PSI concrete price
4,000 PSI concrete typically runs $165-$210 per yard, or about $10-$25 more per yard than 3,000 PSI. It is the common default for driveways in freeze-thaw climates and for garage floors. Additives such as fiber reinforcement, accelerators, or air entrainment typically add $5-$15 per yard each.
What changes the delivered concrete price?
The price per yard is only one part of the invoice. Order size, delivery distance, concrete strength, additives, delivery day, waiting time, fuel charges, and pumping equipment can materially change the total.
Why small orders cost more per yard
A truck and driver still have dispatch and travel costs when the drum is not full. Suppliers may use a flat short-load charge, a fee for each missing yard, a minimum invoice, or a combination. Use the advanced fields to match the supplier price sheet.
How to get a more accurate quote
- Calculate the required cubic yards and add an appropriate waste allowance.
- Confirm the strength, mix design, and any fiber or additive requirements.
- Ask for material, delivery, short-load, fuel, environmental, and waiting-time charges separately.
- Confirm truck access and whether a line pump, boom pump, buggy, or extra labor is needed.
- Enter those figures above to compare the full delivered total.
Frequently asked questions
How much does concrete cost per yard?
Concrete material typically costs $145-$250 per cubic yard depending on strength, with $150-$200 the most common range for residential work.
What is a short load charge?
A fee applied when an order is below the plant’s full-load threshold (commonly 8 yards), usually charged per missing yard or as a flat fee.
How many yards does a concrete truck hold?
Most ready-mix trucks carry 8 to 10 cubic yards, so a full-load price covers a typical residential pour.
Is delivery included in the price per yard?
Usually not. Delivery or dispatch is a separate fee, typically $100-$250 per load, plus possible fuel and wait-time charges.
Related tools
- Concrete driveway cost calculator – installed project costs, not just material
- Concrete slab cost calculator – flatwork project estimates
- Concrete pump truck cost – pump fees are usually separate
- Concrete cost center – all concrete tools
Sources and update policy
Defaults are planning assumptions, not a nationwide supplier quote. Public supplier price sheets are used to verify which charges commonly appear and how fee structures vary.
Estimate transparency
How this estimate was prepared
- Prepared by
- GoHomeCost Cost Data Team
- Last reviewed
- August 24, 2026
- Update cycle
- Public price inputs checked monthly
Calculation method: Project quantity is multiplied by editable low, typical, and high unit rates. Selected location adjustments, waste, fixed charges, and minimum-job rules are then applied and shown in the result.
Public references used on this page:
This is a planning estimate, not a quote or structural specification. Check product yields, local code, site conditions, and written contractor bids before purchasing materials or building.
Read the full methodology Report a price or calculation issue