How Much Does Concrete Delivery Cost in 2025?

This article was created using automation technology and thoroughly fact-checked and edited by HomeAdvisor Editor Ryan Noonan.

Concrete delivery is a crucial step for many home improvement projects, from driveways to major renovations. The average cost is about $5,431 or $110 to $150 per cubic yard. However, you could spend as little as $500 or as much as $17,700 depending on the frequency of pours, project size, and professional labor fees. Hiring a pro ensures accuracy and durability.

Concrete Delivery Cost Factors

Several key factors determine the cost of concrete delivery. Understanding these can help you anticipate expenses and make informed decisions for your project. Here’s how each factor affects your total cost.

PSI Rating

The PSI (pounds per square inch) rating determines the strength of your concrete. If you're building something that requires support for heavy loads, such as a garage floor or a foundation, you'll need higher-strength concrete, which is more expensive.

For example, fast-setting concrete (3,000 PSI) costs around $125 per cubic yard, while general-purpose concrete with a PSI of 3,000 to 3,500 costs around $130 per cubic yard. However, if you require a stronger mix at 4,000 PSI for a load-bearing structure, expect to pay approximately $150 per cubic yard. Choosing the proper PSI ensures your project is durable, but it also affects your overall cost.

Delivery Fees

Delivery fees can add to your concrete costs, especially if your project is far from the supplier. Most local concrete delivery companies offer delivery within a 15- to 20-mile radius. If you live outside this area, you may incur additional fees. Fuel surcharges, ranging from $20 to $40 per load, may also apply, particularly when the truck must travel longer distances or deliver outside standard hours.

Additionally, the type of truck delivering your concrete may affect your total cost per cubic yard:

If you order less than a full truckload or require delivery on weekends or after hours, you may incur additional charges, such as short-load fees ranging from $40 to $60 per cubic yard. Keeping this in mind can help you plan your delivery to minimize extra costs.

Labor

Labor costs are a significant part of your project budget. Tasks like site preparation, laying a sub-base, setting up forms, finishing the concrete, and adding reinforcements all require skilled workers. For example, professional pouring and finishing can add between $8 and $18 per square foot to your total cost. If your site requires land clearing, the cost can range from $200 to $6,000 per acre. Removing an older slab can typically cost between $2 and $6 per square foot, and leveling the area can add $0.47 to $2.28 per square foot.

Location

Where you live can impact your concrete costs. If you’re in an area with challenging terrain, such as steep hills or difficult access, delivery may be more complicated, which can increase your expenses. Regions with cold winters might see higher prices because suppliers protect concrete from freeze-thaw cycles. Additionally, local regulations and labor costs vary, which can impact your overall price.

Permits

You might need permits for your concrete project, depending on local regulations. Building permits cost anywhere from $150 to $7,500. While a small concrete slab may not require a permit, larger projects, such as a new driveway or foundation, do. Check with your local building office to determine the required documentation. 

Concrete Cost by Amount

The amount of concrete you need significantly impacts your total cost. Ordering more concrete can lower the price per cubic yard. However, it's essential to calculate accurately to avoid wasting money. For small projects, you might pay a higher rate per cubic yard, whereas larger projects could qualify for bulk pricing. Here’s how different amounts impact your cost.

Cost per Cubic Yard

On average, standard concrete costs between $110 and $150 per cubic yard, including delivery and materials. One yard of concrete covers a different area depending on its thickness. At four inches thick, one cubic yard of concrete covers about 81 square feet. If you're pouring at five inches thick, it covers around 65 square feet. For a six-inch thickness, expect it to cover approximately 54 square feet. The thicker your slab, the less area one yard of concrete will cover.

Cost per Cubic Foot

The average cost of concrete per cubic foot ranges from $4.07 to $5.56. To get your concrete cost per cubic foot, divide the concrete cost per yard by 27. Remember that small orders often come at a significant premium, so your effective cost of concrete per cubic foot can be substantially higher.

How to Calculate How Much Concrete You Need

To determine how much concrete you need, multiply the length, width, and height of the slab in feet. This gives you the total cubic feet. Divide this number by 27 to find the number of cubic yards.

For a typical concrete sidewalk estimate, multiply the length (40 feet), the width (5 feet), and the height (4 inches, or 0.33 feet) to get 66.67 cubic feet. Divided by 27, this works out to just under 2.5 cubic yards of concrete.

Concrete Mix vs. Ready-Mixed Concrete Costs

When planning your project, you’ll need to decide whether to mix concrete yourself or order ready-mixed concrete. If you're tackling a small job, such as setting a mailbox post or building a small slab, purchasing bags of dry concrete mix may be a sensible option. A 60-pound bag costs between $4.50 and $27, but keep in mind that you would need approximately 60 bags to make one cubic yard, which can become expensive and labor-intensive for larger projects. For larger jobs, such as a driveway or patio, ready-mixed concrete is often the better option.

Ready-mixed concrete is prepared at a plant and delivered to your site, ready for immediate pouring. This saves you time and ensures consistent quality, which is especially important for large surfaces. While the upfront cost per cubic yard may seem higher compared to bags of mix, the convenience and professional results often make it worthwhile. Choosing the correct type of concrete for your project helps you strike a balance between cost and practicality.

Budgeting for Concrete Installation

Concrete delivery can be a significant expense when working on projects like building driveways and patios. However, there are several ways to optimize your budget and minimize costs: -Calculate carefully: Double-check your measurements to ensure you order the correct amount of concrete.

-Plan ahead: Order your concrete early to take advantage of any discounts or promotions suppliers might offer.

-Get multiple quotes: Compare prices from different suppliers to find the best deal.

-Schedule wisely: Try to avoid deliveries on weekends or holidays when surcharges may apply.

-Bundle projects: If possible, combine your order with a neighbor's to split delivery costs.

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.