How Much Does Fill Dirt Cost in 2025?

This article was updated using automation technology and thoroughly reviewed for accuracy by HomeAdvisor Editor Ryan Noonan.

Most homeowners pay an average of $834 for a truckload of fill dirt, spending between $125 and $3,000. Your final tab comes down to the soil’s quality, the quantity you order, and your location. Create a realistic budget that covers both delivery and labor costs upfront. Consider hiring a landscaping professional—letting someone else handle the hauling and spreading saves time, keeps the site safe, and gets the job done quickly.

Fill Dirt Cost Factors

A handful of variables—dirt type, volume, and the cost to move and spread it—ultimately set your project’s price.

Type

Fill dirt sits below the topsoil layer and skips the organic matter, so it remains in place once it’s compacted. That stability makes it the go-to choice for filling holes, leveling grades, and backfilling around retaining walls. You can pay a little extra for filtered, debris-free fill or stick with standard material for everyday jobs.

By comparison, topsoil contains organic matter and minerals. Nutrient-rich topsoil is well-suited for use in garden beds, lawns, and other landscaping applications. It’s darker in color than fill dirt and costs more. Topsoil settles or erodes over time, so it’s less stable than fill dirt. Mulch is layered on top of the topsoil to prevent weed growth.

Sand is another commonly used material in landscaping projects. The cost ranges from $15 to $40 per cubic yard. Sand is a suitable option in damp areas, such as around septic tanks and ponds, because it absorbs moisture and provides effective drainage.

Delivery

When you request quotes from local dirt and soil delivery companies, some pros include delivery in the per-yard price, while others break it out as a separate line item for loads of up to 15 cubic yards. They might also require a minimum order amount. 

Delivery charges increase for large loads, remote locations, or areas with difficult access. Larger trucks and longer distances incur higher costs, and you may also face additional fees if you live a considerable distance from the supplier. Companies might also add a fuel surcharge. Those without set delivery fees may charge $65 to $100 per hour.

Delivery fees often cover the cost of a single dump of materials in an area accessible to the delivery vehicle, provided it is at least 15 feet away from overhead trees and on solid, dry ground.

Labor

Most delivery crews will drop the load at the curb or driveway. Budget a little extra if you need them to rough-spread the soil after the dump. You can also contact a local landscaping company for a detailed layout and finish grading cubic yards, but they may also offer pricing by the ton or truckload. 

The more fill dirt or topsoil you need, the higher the cost will be. Buying in bulk unlocks a lower rate per yard. It’s smart to order a little more than you think you’ll need, but run the numbers first so you’re not stuck with a mountain of leftover soil.

Delivery Cost by Material

Along with fill dirt and topsoil, you may require the delivery of mulch, sand, rock, and other landscaping materials. These materials are often quoted per cubic yard or ton, similar to dirt. Here’s a look at common materials you may need delivered, along with their average prices.

Topsoil

Topsoil prices range from $12 to $55 per cubic yard. As you prep your lawn for summertime and other landscaping projects, you may need more topsoil to fill in low spots and prepare for new lawn seeding. High-quality topsoil and nutrient-rich superloam may encourage healthier growth in prominent garden areas. However, more budget-friendly options can be a great way to save money in other areas of your yard.

Mulch

Nationwide, the cost of mulch for a three-inch layer across a 500-square-foot garden ranges from $100 to $300, with an average price of $175. That works out to $50 to $150 per cubic yard or $150 to $550 per truckload.

Sand

The average cost of sand is $15 to $40 per cubic yard or $5 to $30 per ton. Sand is a suitable option in damp areas, such as around septic tanks and ponds, because it absorbs moisture and provides effective drainage. For larger amounts, a 10- to 14-cubic-yard truckload of all-purpose sand costs $300 to $700, including delivery.

Rocks, Stones, and Gravel

Delivering rocks, stones, riprap, and gravel to your home ranges from $15 to $100 per ton, or more, including delivery, which works out to $20 to $120 per cubic yard.

Cubic yards of plain pea gravel cost the least. Decorative rocks, such as river, lava, and Mexican beach pebbles, are more expensive.

How to Calculate Your Coverage Needs

To calculate how much fill dirt you need for your project, take the following steps:

1. Measure the length and width of the area in feet.

2. Multiply them to get the square footage.

3. Determine the depth of fill dirt or topsoil in feet.

4. Multiply the square footage by the depth to get cubic feet.

5. Divide the cubic feet by 27 to convert to cubic yards.

For example, if your area is 20 feet long and 10 feet wide, and you need three inches (0.25 feet) of soil, your calculations will be:

• 20 ft × 10 ft = 200 sq ft

• 200 sq ft × 0.25 ft = 50 cubic ft

• 50 cubic ft ÷ 27 = 1.85 cubic yards

One cubic yard of soil covers 324 square feet at a depth of one inch. So, one cubic yard covers about 100 square feet for three inches of topsoil.

Budgeting for Fill Dirt Delivery

To save money on fill dirt delivery, consider the following budget-friendly tips:

• Order in bulk to snag the lowest price per cubic yard.

• Shop around for different grades and soil types before making a commitment.

• Pick unscreened fill for spots that won’t support plants—it’s cheaper and works just as well.

• Crunch the coverage math up front to sidestep costly repeat deliveries.

• Schedule deliveries during the off-season (late fall or early spring) when demand and rates tend to be lower.

How HomeAdvisor Gets Its Cost Data

No place is more important than your home, which is why HomeAdvisor connects homeowners with local pros to transform their houses into homes they love. To help homeowners prepare for their next project, HomeAdvisor provides readers with accurate cost data and follows strict editorial guidelines. After a project is complete, we survey real customers about the costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.