In 2020, a full cord of firewood in the United States commonly cost about $150-$400, with many buyers paying around $250-$300 before optional stacking or premium delivery. The price depended on wood species, whether it was seasoned, local supply, delivery distance, and whether the seller meant a full cord or a smaller face cord.
| Item | Low | Average | High | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full cord, delivered | $150 | $275 | $400 | Mixed or common hardwood; ordinary delivery |
| Face cord, delivered | $50 | $100 | $150 | About one-third of a cord with 16-inch pieces |
| Premium seasoned hardwood | $250 | $350 | $500 | Higher prices in tight-supply or high-cost markets |
| Stacking service | $20 | $50 | $100 | Often priced separately by order and access |
Historical estimates vary by region, wood length, moisture, and delivery terms; 2020 prices are not current quotes.
What a Full Cord of Firewood Cost in 2020
A standard full cord contains 128 cubic feet of stacked wood, commonly arranged as a 4-by-4-by-8-foot stack. Buyers typically paid roughly $150-$400 delivered for a basic cord in 2020; a practical midpoint was about $275. Dense oak, hickory, or maple that was properly seasoned could cost more than mixed hardwood or softwood.
For a normal delivered order, about $250-$300 was a reasonable 2020 planning figure. The estimate assumes a full, properly stacked cord, ordinary access, and no long-distance haul, special stacking labor, or premium kiln-dried product. Rural areas near wood sources could fall below that range, while urban delivery and limited supply could push prices above it.
Prices quoted per cord require a volume check. A “face cord” or “rick” is a stack typically 4 feet high and 8 feet long, but its depth depends on log length. With 16-inch pieces, one face cord is roughly one-third of a full cord; 24-inch pieces make a deeper stack. Sellers did not always use these terms consistently.
How 2020 Firewood Quotes Split Between Wood and Delivery
Most quote differences came from the wood grade and hauling. Basic delivery might be included in the advertised price within a limited radius, while remote addresses, difficult unloading, or stacking could add separate charges. These approximate ranges show how a delivered order might be priced.
| Quote component | Low | Typical | High | What changes it |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wood, mixed or common hardwood | $120 | $220 | $350 | Species, dryness, and local availability |
| Delivery | $0 | $30 | $100 | Distance, fuel, and access |
| Stacking labor | $20 | $50 | $100 | Stack location and carry distance |
| Splitting or processing | $0 | $25 | $75 | Whether wood arrives split and ready to burn |
| Premium seasoned hardwood | $50 | $100 | $175 | Species, moisture level, and scarce supply |
Separate charges were not universal: some sellers built delivery into the cord price or required a minimum order. Comparing the delivered total for the same volume and wood condition is more useful than comparing the advertised price alone.
When stacking was itemized, a crew’s labor charge could work out to roughly $25-$50 per worker-hour, depending on local rates and the amount of hand carrying. A straightforward drop took less time than moving wood through a gate or placing it far from the truck.
Why Species, Seasoning, and Delivery Distance Changed the Price
Species and moisture content affected both price and usefulness. Oak, hickory, and maple generally cost more than softer or mixed wood because they burn longer and can be in greater demand. “Seasoned” usually meant air-dried for months, but the label did not guarantee a particular moisture level. Buyers looking for ready-to-burn wood could ask for a moisture reading; wood near or below 20% moisture is generally considered suitable for efficient burning.
Order size and log dimensions also mattered. A seller cutting 16-inch pieces might charge more for custom 12-inch or 20-inch lengths. A load longer than a few miles from the woodlot could incur a travel charge, especially when a truck had to make a dedicated trip. Steep driveways, narrow roads, or a drop point more than about 50 feet from the truck could add handling time.
In 2020, a small change in spec could outweigh a small difference in the seller’s base rate. Confirm species mix, piece length, approximate moisture, stacked volume, and what “delivered” includes before accepting a quote.
How Many Face Cords Equal One Full Cord?
A face cord is not a fixed volume unless the seller states the log length. For 16-inch pieces, a 4-foot-high, 8-foot-long stack holds roughly one-third of a full cord. At 24 inches deep, the same face-cord front is about half a cord. Buyers should calculate the stack’s actual volume rather than assume that “rick” or “face cord” means the same amount everywhere.
As a rough 2020 comparison, a 16-inch face cord often cost $50-$150, while three comparable face cords could add up to around $150-$450. That conversion is approximate because stacking gaps, piece length, and local naming practices differ. Ask for the stated dimensions and total cubic volume when comparing a face-cord offer with a full-cord price.
Urban and Rural Firewood Prices Across U.S. Regions
Prices differed sharply by local supply and delivery costs. In many rural areas close to hardwood sources, a basic cord could be about 10%-25% below a nearby city price. Urban and suburban customers often paid more for trucking, handling, and limited storage or delivery access. Northeastern and northern Midwestern markets with cold winters and strong demand could run about 10%-30% above a well-supplied rural market.
These are directional comparisons, not a fixed regional price list. A drought, storm cleanup, shortage of seasoned inventory, or surge in household heating demand could push a local quote higher. In 2020, pandemic-era changes in home use and supply conditions also made local availability especially important. Nearby sellers’ delivered quotes were a stronger benchmark than a national average.
What Delivery, Stacking, and Processing Added
A curbside or driveway drop usually cost less than hand-stacking wood at a storage rack. Some sellers included nearby delivery; others charged roughly $20-$100 depending on distance and the truckload. Stacking could add $20-$100 per cord, and moving wood around a house or up steps could exceed a simple stack fee.
Buyers should also check whether the order arrives split, whether the seller can access the drop location, and whether there is a minimum delivery quantity. A short load or a small order could carry a minimum charge even when the wood price per cord looked low. Clear delivery and unloading terms prevent an advertised low price from becoming a higher delivered bill.
Ways Buyers Could Keep a 2020 Wood Order Affordable
Ordering before cold-weather demand peaked could improve selection and sometimes reduce rush charges. Buying a full cord or combining orders with a neighbor could spread delivery costs, provided the volume and split are documented. Buyers with space and a safe setup could choose driveway delivery and stack the wood themselves, saving the separate labor fee.
It also helped to compare at least three written quotes using the same wood species, length, moisture condition, volume, and delivery distance. A lower price for green or short-measured wood is not equivalent to a higher quote for seasoned, full-volume hardwood. Avoid paying a premium for kiln drying or custom cutting unless those specifications are needed. The most reliable savings came from controlling delivery and stacking scope without compromising the amount or condition of wood.