Concrete cost per yard: what goes into it
A ready-mix quote is rarely just one number. Ask your supplier about each line:
- Base price per cubic yard. Changes with the mix strength, additives, fiber, and color.
- Delivery or trip charge. Some plants include it, some do not.
- Short-load fee. Added when your order is under the truck minimum.
- Other fees. Fuel surcharge, wait time past the free unloading window, weekend or after-hours delivery, and pump truck rental.
- Sales tax. Depends on your state and county.
YardPour publishes no national or local price per yard. Prices vary too much by region and change too often for one number to be honest. Your quote is the only number that matters.
How the cost is calculated
order yd³ = net yd³ × (1 + waste), rounded up to your supplier's increment
concrete = order yd³ × price per yd³
fees = delivery + short-load fee (only if order < minimum) + other
total = (concrete + fees) × (1 + tax %)
bags = ⌈order ft³ ÷ bag yield⌉ × price per bag × (1 + tax %)
Worked example with made-up round numbers
These prices are invented to show the math. They are not a market rate or a quote.
- Slab: 12 × 20 ft at 4 in = 2.96 yd³. Rounded up to ¼ yd³: 3.0 yd³.
- Price P = $100 per yd³ (example only): 3.0 × 100 = $300.
- Delivery $50, truck minimum 4 yd³, short-load fee $60. The order is under the minimum, so the fee applies.
- Subtotal: 300 + 50 + 60 = $410. With 8% tax: $442.80.
- All-in per square foot: 442.80 ÷ 240 = $1.85.
How much is concrete per yard where you live?
Get real numbers in about ten minutes:
- Search for "ready mix concrete" plants that deliver to your ZIP code.
- Tell them the volume, the use (patio, driveway, footing), and the date.
- Ask for: price per yard for the mix they recommend, delivery charge, truck minimum, short-load fee, and free unloading time.
- Enter each number above. Compare at least two plants.
Ready-mix vs bags
The bag section above uses the same order volume. It counts bags with the yield you set and multiplies by your store price. Labor, mixer rental, and hauling are not included. For anything over about a yard, mixing by hand is a big job .
Concrete slab cost calculator tips
- Get the volume right first. The concrete slab calculator handles presets, round slabs, and a gravel base.
- Concrete is only part of a slab budget. Base gravel, forms, rebar or mesh, finishing, sealing, and labor are separate.
- For mixed shapes such as a slab plus footings, add them up in the concrete calculator and use the known-volume option here.