Instantly calculate how many concrete haul truck loads you need, total cubic yards, short load fees, and estimated ready-mix cost for any USA concrete project — ASTM C94 compliant.
Enter your project dimensions and truck details to calculate loads, yards & total cost.
Standard 4-inch slab. 3,000 PSI recommended.
Slab 4 in · Driveway 6 in · Foundation 8–12 in
2025 USA avg: $130–$180/yd³. Check your local supplier.
A concrete haul truck — also called a ready-mix truck, mixer truck, or transit mixer — is a specialized vehicle that mixes and transports fresh concrete from a batch plant to your job site. In the USA, the standard drum capacity is 8 to 10 cubic yards per load, regulated by ASTM C94 which requires complete discharge within 90 minutes or 300 drum revolutions after water is added. This calculator converts your project's length, width, and depth into cubic yards, then divides by your selected truck capacity to give you the exact number of loads needed.
Enter your slab dimensions and select your truck size and supplier minimum. The calculator computes your net volume in cubic yards, applies your waste/overage factor, determines the number of full and partial truckloads, checks whether a short load fee applies to your final partial truck, and outputs a complete cost estimate including concrete price, short load charges, and per-truck breakdown.
Most US ready-mix suppliers operate trucks with a 10 cubic yard maximum capacity. A full 10-yard load at $155/yd³ costs approximately $1,550 for concrete alone — before delivery, fuel surcharge, short load, or Saturday premium fees.
Mini mixers are used for tight residential access where a standard truck cannot reach. They carry 3–4 cubic yards per load and cost more per yard ($180–$220). Commonly used for backyard patios, small garage floors, and pool decks in densely built neighborhoods.
Most US suppliers charge a short load fee of $100–$250 if your order falls below their minimum — typically 5–7 cubic yards. For example, if you need only 4 yards and the minimum is 7, you'll pay the short load fee plus the cost for 4 yards of concrete, or you can opt to order the minimum and have extra on hand.
Calculating the number of concrete haul truck loads for a USA project is straightforward once you have your volume in cubic yards. The key conversion is: 1 cubic yard = 27 cubic feet. Always apply a waste factor of at least 8% for ready-mix orders — unlike bagged concrete, any unused ready-mix in a truck cannot be returned.
Unlike bags, leftover ready-mix concrete in a truck drum cannot be returned to the plant. Once the drum stops turning, the concrete begins to set. Always order at least 8–10% more than your calculated volume for ready-mix projects. The cost of running short and needing an emergency partial load — with full short load and delivery fees — far exceeds the cost of a little extra concrete.
Quick-reference guide showing number of ready-mix truckloads needed for common US project sizes. All figures use a 10 cu yd truck, 8% waste factor, and assume a 4-inch slab thickness unless noted. Costs based on $155/yd³ average 2025 USA pricing.
| Project / Slab Size | Net Volume (yd³) | + 8% Waste (yd³) | Truckloads (10 yd) | Short Load Fee? | Est. Total Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 × 12 ft · 4 in | 1.48 | 1.60 | 1 partial | Yes — under 7 yd | $398 |
| 12 × 20 ft · 4 in | 2.96 | 3.20 | 1 partial | Yes — under 7 yd | $621 |
| 16 × 20 ft · 4 in | 3.95 | 4.27 | 1 partial | Yes — under 7 yd | $786 |
| 20 × 24 ft · 4 in | 5.93 | 6.40 | 1 partial | Yes — under 7 yd | $1,117 |
| 20 × 30 ft · 4 in | 7.41 | 8.00 | 1 partial | No — above min | $1,240 |
| 24 × 24 ft · 5 in | 8.89 | 9.60 | 1 partial | No — above min | $1,488 |
| 30 × 40 ft · 4 in | 14.81 | 16.00 | 2 trucks | No — full loads | $2,480 |
| 40 × 60 ft · 6 in | 44.44 | 48.00 | 5 trucks | No — full loads | $7,440 |
Ready-mix concrete prices vary significantly by region due to cement costs, aggregate availability, fuel prices, and local market competition. The table below shows 2025 average prices per cubic yard by US region for standard 3,000–4,000 PSI mixes, plus typical additional fees charged by most suppliers. Always get at least three quotes from local NRMCA-member producers before ordering.
| US Region / State | 3,000 PSI ($/yd³) | 4,000 PSI ($/yd³) | Short Load Fee | Saturday Fee | Pump Truck Add-On |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| National Average | $140 – $165 | $155 – $180 | $100 – $200 | $50 – $150 | $150 – $400 |
| Northeast (NY, NJ, CT, MA) | $165 – $195 | $180 – $210 | $150 – $250 | $100 – $200 | $250 – $500 |
| Southeast (FL, GA, NC, SC) | $125 – $150 | $140 – $165 | $75 – $150 | $50 – $100 | $150 – $300 |
| Midwest (OH, IL, MI, IN) | $130 – $155 | $145 – $170 | $100 – $175 | $50 – $125 | $150 – $350 |
| Southwest (TX, AZ, NM) | $120 – $145 | $135 – $160 | $75 – $150 | $40 – $100 | $125 – $275 |
| West Coast (CA, OR, WA) | $155 – $190 | $170 – $205 | $125 – $225 | $75 – $175 | $200 – $450 |
| Mountain (CO, UT, ID, MT) | $135 – $160 | $150 – $175 | $100 – $200 | $50 – $125 | $150 – $325 |
Ordering ready-mix concrete for the first time can be intimidating. Knowing the right questions to ask your supplier — and understanding how haul truck fees are structured — can save you hundreds of dollars on your project. Review your concrete cost estimate before calling suppliers so you can negotiate confidently.
Most US suppliers charge a premium of $50–$200 extra for Saturday, Sunday, or holiday deliveries. Scheduling your pour Monday through Friday before noon avoids overtime driver fees and ensures the batch plant can accommodate last-minute volume changes.
A fully loaded 10-yard concrete truck weighs approximately 66,000–70,000 lbs. Verify your driveway, lawn, or job site access can handle that weight. Many suppliers offer smaller 4-yard mini mixers for tight or soft-ground sites — though at a higher per-yard cost.
Tell your supplier the required PSI, slump (typically 4–5 inches for most residential pours), air entrainment needs (required in freeze-thaw climates), and any admixtures. Changes to the mix after the truck leaves the batch plant are costly or impossible per ASTM C94 Section 11.
Authoritative US standards and references for ready-mix concrete haul truck ordering
ASTM C94 is the primary US standard governing ready-mixed concrete, covering truck capacity, drum revolution requirements, maximum discharge time (90 min), water addition, slump, and quality testing. Every US ready-mix supplier must comply with ASTM C94 specifications.
View ASTM C94The National Ready Mixed Concrete Association (NRMCA) represents over 1,100 US ready-mix producers. Use their online directory to find NRMCA-certified concrete suppliers in your area — a reliable way to source high-quality ready-mix concrete for your project.
Find a ProducerACI 318 "Building Code Requirements for Structural Concrete" sets minimum PSI strengths, mix design requirements, and placement specifications for all structural concrete in the USA. Essential reference when ordering ready-mix for foundations, footings, and structural slabs.
View ACI 318