Ready-mix concrete delivered typically costs $125-$200 per cubic yard, with many standard residential orders averaging about $160 per yard before placement. The delivered price depends on mix strength, order size, distance, short-load fees, and whether pumping or other services are needed.
| Item | Low | Average | High | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard concrete delivered | $125/yd | $160/yd | $200/yd | Per cubic yard; ordinary mix and delivery |
| Small order, 1-2 yd | $250 total | $450 total | $700 total | Short-load charges can exceed material cost |
| Concrete pumping | $500 | $900 | $1,500+ | Separate service, often subject to a minimum |
| Placed and finished concrete | $6/sq ft | $10/sq ft | $18+/sq ft | Includes labor and basic finish; scope varies |
What a Delivered Yard of Standard Concrete Costs
For a typical 3,000-4,000 PSI mix, buyers commonly pay $125-$200 per cubic yard for concrete delivered by truck. A 10-yard order might total roughly $1,250-$2,000 before taxes, pumping, placement, or finishing. Higher-strength mixes, special additives, and local freight rates can move a quote outside that range.
For a full truckload of ordinary mix, budgeting around $160 per yard is a practical starting point. The estimate assumes normal truck access, standard materials, and delivery within the supplier’s usual service area. Assumptions: standard gray ready-mix, typical U.S. market, no placement labor.
How Material, Trucking, and Fees Shape the Quote
A concrete quote may combine the mix price with delivery charges and order-specific fees. Ask whether the quoted per-yard rate includes fuel, environmental charges, and taxes, and confirm the minimum order before scheduling. These charges can make two quotes with similar base rates differ substantially.
| Quote component | Typical charge | What changes it | Common billing basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard mix | $125-$200 | Strength, market, cement content | Per cubic yard |
| Short-load fee | $50-$200 | Order below supplier minimum | Per load or missing yard |
| Delivery or fuel fee | $25-$150 | Distance and local fuel policy | Per trip |
| Wait-time charge | $75-$150 | Truck held beyond included time | Per hour or time increment |
| Pump service | $500-$1,500+ | Reach, setup, and pour duration | Per job or pump hour |
Placement and finishing are separate from delivery. For labor planning, a small crew may spend several hours on setup, pouring, and finishing; labor can run about $50-$100 per worker-hour depending on location and task.
Which Mix Strength and Order Size Change the Price
Standard residential slabs often use 3,000-4,000 PSI concrete. Moving to 5,000 PSI or specifying air entrainment, fiber reinforcement, color, or a faster-setting mix may add roughly $5-$30 or more per yard, depending on the plant and specification. Requirements should follow the project plans and local conditions rather than a guess at strength.
Order volume is another major threshold. A 1-2-yard order may incur a short-load charge, while orders around 8-10 yards often approach a supplier’s economical full-load range. For a slab, estimate volume as length in feet × width in feet × thickness in feet, then divide by 27. Add about 5%-10% for spillage, uneven forms, and measurement uncertainty.
Small orders can cost far more per usable yard than full truckloads. A 4-inch slab measuring 10 by 10 feet needs about 1.23 cubic yards before waste, so a rounded order may still trigger a minimum-load fee.
Where Regional Delivery Rates Run Higher or Lower
Concrete prices vary with cement availability, plant competition, fuel, labor, and local demand. In rural areas or locations far from a batch plant, delivered rates may be 10%-25% above a nearby metro quote; competitive suburban markets can land 5%-15% below a high-cost urban market. These are planning comparisons, not fixed regional tariffs.
Mountain roads, island delivery, congested city access, and long hauls can add fees or limit truck size. In cold climates, winter protection or hot-water requirements may raise costs, while busy construction seasons can reduce scheduling flexibility. Request a quote that identifies the delivery radius and every trip charge.
Why One- and Ten-Yard Orders Get Different Totals
For a 1-yard walkway repair, material at $150-$190 plus a $100-$200 short-load fee can bring delivery to approximately $250-$390, excluding placement. A 5-yard patio order at $145-$180 per yard may total $725-$900, plus any trip charge and finishing. A 10-yard driveway pour at $135-$175 per yard could cost $1,350-$1,750 for concrete delivery alone.
Compare total delivered dollars, not just the advertised per-yard price. Each example assumes standard gray mix, accessible truck placement, and no pump rental; local fees and tax can change the total.
How to Lower the Delivered Concrete Bill
Measure forms carefully and coordinate excavation, reinforcement, and crew readiness before the truck arrives. Accurate volume planning avoids both expensive extra trips and excess concrete. For a small project, compare the supplier’s short-load charge with a local ready-mix alternative, such as a trailer delivery service, while checking its capacity and mix suitability.
Combining nearby pours can reduce the effective delivery charge if timing and concrete specifications match. Keep the mix standard unless the plans call for an upgrade, and ask whether a longer unloading window is included. A ready crew also helps avoid wait-time fees, which can accrue after the truck’s included onsite time.
When Pumping or Difficult Access Adds to Delivery
A mixer truck generally needs a stable approach and close access to the forms. If the pour is beyond chute reach, over a fence, or up a steep grade, a line or boom pump may be necessary; typical pump charges range from $500 to $1,500 or more, with setup and minimum-hour terms varying by company. Wheelbarrow placement can avoid the pump fee on a very small pour but adds substantial labor.
Before booking, check overhead clearance, driveway weight limits, gate width, and the truck’s turning space. A blocked route may require a smaller vehicle, extra labor, or another delivery method. Confirm whether the supplier charges for returned unused concrete or a late cancellation.
What to Confirm Before Accepting a Per-Yard Quote
Ask for the specified PSI, air content if needed, included delivery radius, minimum order, short-load fee, fuel charge, and wait-time policy in writing. Confirm whether prices are before tax and whether the supplier charges for washout or leftover material. Compare quotes for the same mix and delivered quantity so a low base rate does not conceal a higher final bill.
A useful quote states the mix, quantity, delivery date, included fees, and total due. If placement is included, separate labor, forming, reinforcement, pumping, and finishing so each bid can be compared on equal terms.