Concrete Cost per Yard
What a Yard Costs by Region
Typical 2026 ranges for standard 3,000–4,000 psi mix, delivered within a plant's normal radius. Every range is a starting point — call two local plants and you'll have better numbers than any table.
| Region | Typical per yd³ | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| US national average | $155–$175 | $160–$165 |
| Midwest | $145–$170 | Competitive markets, many batch plants |
| South | $135–$165 | Cheapest region on average |
| Northeast | $170–$200 | Delivery distance and season push the top |
| West Coast | $170–$210 | Highest materials and fuel costs |
| Mountain West | $155–$185 | Long hauls in rural areas |
How Much Is a Yard of Concrete in Bags?
One cubic yard is 27 ft³, and bagged mix is sold by yield — so a yard is 45 of the 80-lb bags, 60 of the 60-lb bags, or 90 of the 40-lb bags. Priced at typical big-box tags, every bag route costs roughly twice the delivered truck:
| Bag size | Bags per yd³ | Cost per yard | vs $165/yd³ delivered |
|---|---|---|---|
| 80-lb bag (0.60 ft³) | 45 | ≈ $293 at $6.50/bag | +80% vs ready-mix |
| 60-lb bag (0.45 ft³) | 60 | ≈ $300 at $5.00/bag | +83% |
| 40-lb bag (0.30 ft³) | 90 | ≈ $324 at $3.60/bag | +97% |
That premium is the price of not needing a truck — and it's worth paying on a ¼-yard job, painful on a 4-yard job. The bags-per-yard math has its own guide with worked project examples.
The Fees That Move a Quote
- Short-load fee — typically $40–$75 under about 3–4 yd³; on a 1-yard order it can double the effective per-yard price.
- Stand-by time — 5–10 minutes per yard included; after that, $1–$3 per minute is common. Have crew and tools staged.
- Pump or buggy — when the truck can't reach, pumping adds several hundred dollars to the job.
- Admixtures — fiber mesh, accelerators, hot-water winter mixes: $5–$15 per yard each, worth it in the right season.
- Season and fuel — peak-summer scheduling and fuel surcharges nudge prices; January pours cost extra before they start.
And the standing caveat: these are material prices only. Forms, base gravel, reinforcement and finishing labor are separate line items — the per-square-foot breakdown shows how big they get installed.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is a yard of concrete delivered?
Plan on $150–$180 in most of the country for a full-size load, before extras. The quote you actually get depends on distance from the plant, load size and the season — which is why two phone calls beat any national average.
Is it cheaper to mix my own concrete?
Only on small pours. Bagged mix works out to roughly $290–$325 per yard — nearly double delivered concrete — but a ¼-yard job needs about 12 bags, costs $75–$80, and skips the short-load fee entirely. Somewhere around one cubic yard (45 × 80-lb bags), the truck wins on price and backs alike.
Why do two suppliers quote such different prices?
Load size minimums, delivery radius, psi spec and admixture defaults all differ. Compare quotes at the same psi (3,500 is typical residential), the same yardage and the same day — otherwise you're pricing two different concretes.
How many square feet does a yard of concrete cover?
81 ft² at 4 inches thick, 65 ft² at 5 inches, 54 ft² at 6 inches. Divide your region's per-yard price by those numbers for a quick material-only cost per square foot — $165 ÷ 81 ≈ $2.04/ft² at a 4-inch pour.