The cost of dirt per truck load usually ranges from $150 to $800 delivered, depending on soil type, load size, distance, and site access. Fill dirt is generally the least expensive; screened topsoil and specialty blends cost more, while small orders may carry a delivery minimum.
| Item | Low | Average | High | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fill dirt, delivered truckload | $150 | $300 | $500 | Usually 10-15 cubic yards; local delivery |
| Screened topsoil, delivered truckload | $300 | $550 | $900 | Price depends on screening and blend |
| Unsifted dirt, per cubic yard | $8 | $18 | $35 | Material only; delivery may be extra |
| Truck delivery charge | $50 | $125 | $250 | Short local haul; access and distance affect fee |
What a Delivered Dirt Truckload Usually Costs
For a standard residential order, budget about $150-$500 for a load of fill dirt and $300-$900 for topsoil delivered. A typical truck carries roughly 10-15 cubic yards, although the supplier may limit the load by weight, especially when soil is wet. A smaller dump truck may bring 5-8 cubic yards, while larger trucks can carry more if road and site conditions allow.
On a volume basis, fill dirt often costs $8-$25 per cubic yard before delivery, and screened topsoil commonly runs $20-$50 per cubic yard before delivery. With delivery included, a local fill-dirt order often works out to about $15-$35 per cubic yard. Topsoil delivered in a full load may average $30-$65 per cubic yard.
For a routine local delivery, a practical planning figure is $300-$550 for a truckload of ordinary fill or mid-grade topsoil. These ranges assume a standard residential drop, normal access, and no spreading or grading. Assumptions: U.S. suburban market, 10-15 cubic yards, standard truck, local delivery, and no unusual soil testing or site work.
How Dirt, Hauling, and Dumping Appear on the Quote
A supplier may quote one delivered price or list the material, haul, and handling separately. Comparing the line items helps reveal whether a low material price is offset by a high minimum delivery charge. Taxes and fees vary by state and supplier; spreading, loader time, and disposal of existing soil are usually separate services.
| Quote item | Typical price | Unit or scope | What changes it | Usually included |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fill dirt | $8-$25 | Per cubic yard | Cleanliness and grading suitability | Material only |
| Screened topsoil | $20-$50 | Per cubic yard | Screening, compost, and blend quality | Material only |
| Local hauling | $50-$250 | Per delivery | Mileage, truck size, and minimum order | Drop at accessible location |
| Spreading and rough grading | $50-$125 | Per labor hour | Equipment, crew, and slope | Only if requested |
| Site access or wait fee | $25-$150 | Per load or incident | Blocked access or delayed unloading | Not usually included |
Some suppliers charge a flat truck fee rather than a per-mile rate. A short local trip may be included in the delivered price, but a longer haul can add $2-$6 per mile or a quoted zone surcharge. Ask whether the quoted amount includes fuel, minimum-load charges, and the time allowed for unloading.
Confirm whether the quote is for material only or for dirt delivered to the property. A $15-per-yard material rate can look inexpensive but may not include a $100-$200 truck charge.
Truck Capacity and Soil Type Change the Price Per Yard
Truck capacity is not always the same as the amount of dirt a truck can legally carry. A 10-wheel dump truck may hold about 10-15 cubic yards of loose material, but dense or damp soil can reach the truck’s weight limit before the bed is full. Ask the supplier for the expected cubic yards and whether the price is based on volume, weight, or a standard load.
Fill dirt typically costs less because it is often unscreened and is bought for raising grades or filling holes. Clean fill may cost more when it must meet specific requirements or be free of debris. Screened topsoil costs more because it is processed to remove stones and clumps; compost-enriched or blended soil can add roughly $5-$20 per cubic yard over basic screened topsoil.
Wet soil may be heavier and harder to unload or spread, and some suppliers adjust the load size to stay within legal limits. If an order calls for 12 cubic yards, confirm that the supplier means delivered volume rather than truck-bed capacity. For yards, calculate volume as length × width × depth, with measurements in feet divided by 27 to convert cubic feet to cubic yards.
A nominal full load can deliver fewer cubic yards when heavy soil reaches the truck’s weight limit. This matters most for wet clay, dense fill, or long-distance hauling, where weight can determine both load size and price.
Distance, Driveway Access, and Placement Add Charges
Delivery distance is one of the strongest price drivers after soil type. A supplier serving a nearby neighborhood may include delivery, while an address outside its regular service area can add $50-$250 or more. Rural properties may pay a trip charge even when the requested load is small, since the truck makes the same round trip for fewer yards.
Access affects where the driver can unload. Narrow gates, low branches, steep driveways, soft ground, and overhead wires may prevent a large truck from reaching the desired pile location. If the truck must use a smaller vehicle or make multiple trips, delivery can rise by $75-$300. A driver may refuse to enter a surface that risks damage or getting stuck.
Dumping dirt at the curb or driveway is generally less expensive than moving it to a backyard. Wheelbarrow delivery, powered buggy work, or machine spreading may add $50-$125 per labor hour, with many contractors charging a minimum. Confirm the drop point before scheduling and ask whether the truck can safely back into the site.
Get the delivery address and exact dump location priced together. A quote based only on mileage may not account for difficult access, a long carry, or time spent waiting for a clear unloading area.
Three Common Orders Show the Difference in Total Price
A small project may need only 5 cubic yards, but suppliers often set a minimum truck charge. For example, 5 yards of fill at $15 per yard totals $75 in material; a $100 delivery fee brings the estimated bill to $175 before tax. If the supplier’s minimum is 8 yards, the buyer may instead pay for the full minimum load.
A typical lawn renovation might use 12 cubic yards of screened topsoil at $32 per yard, or $384 in material. A $125 local delivery charge brings the subtotal to $509. If a two-person crew spends 3 hours spreading at a combined $100 per hour, the project total becomes about $809 before tax or seed.
A larger grading job might require 20 cubic yards of fill delivered in two loads. At $18 per yard, material totals $360; two $125 delivery charges bring the total to $610. If equipment and rough grading add $400-$900, the full project may cost $1,010-$1,510, depending on slope and how much shaping is needed.
Load minimums and labor can matter as much as the per-yard dirt rate. These examples assume local delivery, normal access, and no removal of old soil; actual totals vary by supplier, market, and truck availability.
Regional Dirt Prices Reflect Supply and Haul Distance
Prices tend to be lower where quarries, farms, landscaping yards, or construction sites supply soil nearby. In parts of the Midwest and Southeast, ordinary fill may land near the lower end of the national range when local supply is plentiful. High-cost metro areas in the Northeast, West Coast, and major coastal markets can run about 15%-35% above a comparable rural quote.
Remote areas may also pay more, but not necessarily because the dirt itself is costly. A longer haul, fewer suppliers, or a low-volume delivery can push total charges upward. In fast-growing suburbs, construction activity can increase demand for fill, while seasonal landscaping demand can tighten availability of screened topsoil.
State and local taxes, fuel prices, and trucking rules also affect the delivered total. Two suppliers in the same city may quote different prices because one owns the material source and another buys from a yard farther away. Compare delivered totals for the same soil specification and cubic-yard quantity rather than comparing material-only rates.
Use local delivered quotes as the benchmark, not a national per-yard figure. For an accurate comparison, request the soil type, estimated volume, delivery fee, and any minimum charge in writing.
When Fill Dirt Beats Topsoil or a Soil Blend
Fill dirt is usually the economical choice for raising a low area, filling a trench, or building up a base where plants will not grow directly. Topsoil is better for the upper growing layer, but using it to fill a deep depression can raise the bill substantially. A common approach is to use suitable fill for the lower portion and add 4-6 inches of topsoil where lawn or garden growth is planned.
Basic fill dirt may contain clods, stones, or variable material, so it is not automatically suitable beneath a patio, foundation, or drainage feature. Those projects may require engineered fill, specified compaction, testing, or a particular aggregate. Such requirements can push material and labor costs beyond ordinary residential dirt prices; the project plan or local building requirements should determine the specification.
Compost blends and premium screened soils are useful when the planting goal calls for improved texture or organic content, but they are not necessary for every grading task. Ask the supplier what is in the blend and whether it is screened. A lower-priced unscreened load may need more raking or sorting, so a modest material saving can be offset by extra labor.
Match the soil grade to the layer and purpose instead of buying premium soil for the entire fill depth. This can substantially reduce material cost without compromising the planting surface or the required base.
Lower the Dirt Bill by Managing Load Size and Delivery
Measure the area before ordering. Multiply length by width by the planned depth in feet, then divide by 27 for cubic yards. Add a modest allowance for settling and uneven ground, but avoid ordering an extra full truckload without checking whether the supplier can provide a smaller quantity. A truck minimum can make the smallest order disproportionately expensive.
Compare at least three delivered quotes for the same soil type, quantity, and drop location. Ask each supplier to state cubic yards per load, delivery fee, minimum order, and extra charges for waiting or difficult access. If two loads are needed, ask whether a combined or scheduled delivery rate is available rather than assuming the second trip costs the same as the first.
Preparing the drop area can prevent labor and delay charges. Move vehicles, clear branches, mark underground utilities, and confirm the route can support a loaded truck. If the material can be placed near the work area, spreading it with a rented machine or existing equipment may cost less than paying a crew to move it by hand, provided the operator can work safely.
For a landscaping project, compare the delivered price of a full load with bagged soil only after including the bags’ higher per-unit rate and handling. For a grading project, do not substitute inexpensive mixed dirt where clean or tested fill is specified. Saving on material is worthwhile only when the soil meets the job’s requirements.
The largest controllable savings usually come from ordering the right volume, choosing an appropriate soil grade, and minimizing truck travel and handling. Request an itemized estimate before paying a deposit, and verify whether the price includes tax and final placement.