Concrete Price per Yard (2026): Ready-Mix Costs and Fees

What a cubic yard costs

Published national figures, per cubic yard of ready-mix:

Source	Price per cubic yard	What it covers
Concrete Network, July 2026 [1]	$160–$195	2025 national average $179.95. Chicago $183, Los Angeles $182, Lynchburg, VA $165
Fixr, January 2025 [2]	$125–$133	Concrete only, without delivery
This Old House, March 2026 [3]	$113–$126	One yard covers 81 sq ft at 4 in
HomeGuide [4]	$125–$175	Cites a $179.89 national average from NRMCA 2024 data
Angi [5]	$120–$165	Average about $140 for 3,000 PSI residential concrete

Our calculators use Concrete Network’s $160–$195 range, the most recent dated figure. Concrete Network notes that some supplier quotes include delivery or short-load fees and some don’t, so check what your quote covers.

What 1 to 10 yards cost

At $160–$195 per yard, before delivery and short-load fees:

Order	Concrete cost	Covers at 4 in thick
1 cu yd	$160–$195	81 sq ft
3 cu yd	$480–$585	243 sq ft
5 cu yd	$800–$975	405 sq ft
10 cu yd	$1,600–$1,950	810 sq ft

Common slabs at 4 inches need 1.23 yards (10 × 10 ft), 4.94 yards (20 × 20 ft) and 7.11 yards (24 × 24 ft), before waste.

Price by strength (PSI)

Fixr lists these ready-mix prices by compressive strength [2]:

Strength	Price per cubic yard
2,500 PSI	$150–$170
3,000 PSI	$160–$170
4,000 PSI	$180–$190
5,000 PSI	$200–$210

These tiered prices sit above Fixr’s own $125–$133 base figure; the page gives both. The strength you need is set by the job and local code, not by price.

Short-load and other fees

Ready-mix is priced for full trucks. Small orders cost more per yard:

Fixr: a short-load delivery costs $15–$17 per cubic yard, typically on 1 to 5 yard jobs; everything under 10 yards is charged at short-load cost [2].
HomeGuide: budget $40–$60 per cubic yard in short-load fees below a full truckload [4].

Ask each supplier for its minimum order, short-load charge, and any delivery, fuel or weekend fees before comparing prices. See ready-mix delivery for the full list of questions.

Ready-mix or bags?

One yard in 80 lb bags takes 45 bags. At The Home Depot’s $5.93–$6.47 a bag, that’s about $267–$291 for the concrete alone, against $160–$195 for a yard of ready-mix. Bags win on small jobs where short-load fees would dominate. See bagged concrete prices.

Frequently asked questions

How much is a yard of concrete in 2026?

Concrete Network puts ready-mix at $160 to $195 per cubic yard, with a 2025 national average of $179.95. Other published figures run from $113 to $175. The spread comes from what's included: delivery, short-load fees and region.

How much does a full truck of concrete cost?

Price it per yard: 10 cubic yards at $160–$195 is $1,600–$1,950 before delivery fees. Fixr notes that orders under 10 cubic yards are charged at short-load rates.

What is a short-load fee?

A surcharge for small orders. Fixr puts it at $15 to $17 per cubic yard and says it typically applies to 1 to 5 yard jobs, with anything under 10 yards charged at short-load cost. HomeGuide's listing cites $40 to $60 per cubic yard.

Does stronger concrete cost more?

Yes. Fixr lists 2,500 PSI at $150–$170 per yard and 4,000 PSI at $180–$190. Most residential flatwork uses standard mixes; your contractor or local code sets the strength.

Sources

Concrete Network, Concrete prices, updated 2026-07-14. Checked September 23, 2026.

Fixr, Concrete delivery cost, updated 2025-01-31. Checked September 23, 2026.

This Old House, Concrete slab cost, updated 2026-03-17. Checked September 23, 2026.

HomeGuide, Concrete prices. Figure as shown in the page's search listing; checked September 23, 2026.

Angi, How much does it cost to deliver concrete?. Figure as shown in the page's search listing; checked September 23, 2026.