For construction or renovation work, the first thing to do to make an in-budget mix for the project is to try and determine the cost of concrete per yard. Construction work commonly uses a cubic yard of ready mix, which equals 27 cubic feet of ready mix for slabs, drives, foundations, and patios.
In early 2026, the average cost of concrete per yard for ready mix in the US ranged from $123 to $193 per cubic yard. The price fluctuated depending on where it was delivered, how far it had to go, and what type of mix it was.
According to estimates from the industry and different parts of the country, many residential and light commercial projects cost between $125 and $175 per yard.
A $10 to $20 increase per yard can have a big impact on your project budget, especially for bigger pours. If you guess too high about the cost, you waste money. If you guess too low, you have to make expensive changes halfway through. You can better understand the cost impact of your concrete project with an accurate cost of concrete per yard estimate.
What “Cost Per Yard” Really Means
Budgeting for concrete projects often includes “cost per yard”, what does that mean? One cubic yard of concrete equals 27 cubic feet. This means, for example, contractors can use this measurement for slab projects, drive projects, footings, and other volume projects when estimating the cost of concrete per yard.
How Concrete Pricing Works
Concrete cost estimating usually has three parts:
- Material Cost: This is the initial cost for ready-mixed concrete. Mix strength can vary by region, but in the U.S., a normal mix usually costs between $125 and $175 per cubic yard.
- Fees for Delivery: Most of the time, suppliers charge more to move concrete from the plant to the job site. Delivery may be per yard or truckload for small orders that do not fill a whole truck.
- Load Size Adjustments: Full truckloads (about 10 yards) typically cost less per yard than smaller orders. Short load fees can raise the per-yard cost of partial deliveries.
Material vs. Installed Cost
Important to distinguish between material and installed cost:
- Material Cost relates solely to the concrete purchased and delivered to the site.
- The installed cost includes labor, site preparation, finishing, and any necessary pumps or tools for concrete placement and finishing. Installation costs can exceed the base cost of concrete per yard and increase the project budget.
Typical Cost Ranges in Today’s Market
Estimating the cost of concrete per yard helps you budget for your project. Market trends, location, mix type, and order quantity affect U.S. concrete prices.
National Average Price Range
- Typical Material Cost: Most suppliers say that ready mix concrete costs between $110 and $165 per cubic yard, which includes delivery to your area.
- Average Across the Country: According to a number of industry cost guidelines, the average price of ready mix concrete across the country is between $125 and $150 per cubic yard.
- Higher Average Estimates: Some sources for construction costs say that the average cost of ready mix is a little higher, between $160 and $180 per yard, depending on the region and how the supply chain works.
Basic mixes for residential and light commercial projects fall within this range. This range can get more expensive if you order less than a full truckload or pay for delivery over long distances.
Regional Variation
Concrete prices vary widely by region:
- According to local price statistics, basic concrete delivery in various Midwest or Southern areas might cost between $90 and $135 per yard.
- High labor and transport costs in expensive regions lead to rates that are comparable to the national average or higher.
Cost Differences by Mix Type
Specific performance or cosmetic concrete costs extra per yard:
- Higher PSI mixes that are strong often fall outside the standard range.
- Some colored or stamped concrete mixes cost over $200 per cubic yard due to extra materials and processing.
Quick Cost Summary (Normal Ranges)
- Basic ready-mix concrete costs between $110 and $165 per cubic yard.
- The average price across the country is $125 to $150 per cubic yard.
- Premium or specialty mixes cost $175 to $200 or more per cubic yard.
Core Factors That Determine Concrete Cost Per Yard
You can make a better budget if you know what makes the cost of concrete per yard go up or down. Several key aspects determine the ultimate cost estimate. Below are the main factors affecting concrete pricing.
Material & Mix Design
The first thing to consider is to have the appropriate ingredients. The usual mixture for concrete includes cement, aggregates such as sand and gravel, and water. The materials used in the concrete mixture may determine the value.
- Basic vs. High-Strength Mixes: Regular strength (3,000 to 4,000 pounds per square inch or “PSI”) concrete costs less than high strength (4,000+ PSI), which requires added cement and chemicals to produce.
- Additives and Admixtures: The use of fiber reinforcing agents, air entraining agents, water reducers, accelerating agents, and colorings increases cost of concrete per yard but makes it last longer and perform better.
Tip: Match mix strength to project needs to prevent overpaying.
Project Size & Volume
The unit price depends on concrete quantity:
- Full truckloads vs. short loads: Ready mix trucks typically hold 8-10 cubic yards.Smaller orders often incur short load fees, raising the effective cost of concrete per yard. Full loads normally cost less per yard.
- Large vs. small projects: Bulk orders on large job sites frequently have lower delivery surcharges and better price than several small deliveries.
Accurate volume planning eliminates overordering and repeated deliveries.
Delivery & Distance
Cost depends on location. For moving big stuff, concrete plants charge:
- Base delivery and distance fees: Suppliers typically cover a specified radius, with per-mile charges for beyond destinations.
- Access and timing: Delivery outside typical hours or difficult site access may increase prices.
Selecting a local source reduces transportation costs when searching for a concrete supplier near me.
Labor & Installation
Labor affects budget, but cost of concrete per yard frequently excludes installation:
- Site preparation. Clearing the site can be time-consuming and expensive.
- Pouring and finishing: Trained labor guarantees quality but incurs increased labor expense depending on the region and the complexities, which influences how much does it cost to pour concrete.
Sometimes installation costs more than concrete.
Seasonality & Supply Demand
Concrete prices change seasonally:
- Peak construction seasons (spring/summer): Higher requested and tight timetables may increase prices.
- Off-peak or winter: Lower requests or demand may lower basic pricing, but cold conditions may need additional costs such as accelerators or heated mixes.
Optimizing drains during shoulder seasons saves money.
How Concrete Cost Per Yard Impacts Your Total Project Budget
Understanding how the cost of concrete per yard affects your project budget goes beyond multiplying unit price by quantity. You need to include both direct material costs and indirect budget factors in your estimate in order to get a good one and avoid unpleasant surprises during construction.
Direct Cost Impact — Concrete Material Spend
Direct material cost is the most obvious effect:
Basic Formula:
Multiply the cost by the number of cubic yards needed to approximate material expenses.
Example Calculation:
- Concrete costs $1,600, not counting delivery and labor, for 10 cubic yards, which is enough for a minor driveway extension.
- The pouring area’s size determines concrete volume. For a 20x150x4-inch driveway, material prices might reach $5,900 at $160/yard, requiring 37.0 cubic yards (20x150x4-12)x27.
Price Variability:
According to the 2024 average, ready-mixed concrete costs between $160 and $195 per cubic yard across the country. This means that a difference of just $10 or $20 per yard can add up to hundreds of thousands of dollars on bigger pours.
Indirect Budget Factors — Beyond Base Material Cost
Concrete material cost is one part of your budget:
- Site Preparation: Grading, eliminating obstacles, and stabilizing the subbase before pouring concrete might cost as much as the concrete, especially when estimating the cost of footings and slab.
- Waste and Over Order: Projects buy 5–10% more concrete than they need to cover spills, pump losses, and uneven ground. This makes the concrete more expensive.
- Permits and Inspection Fees: The permit cost for driveways and foundations varies between towns. This adds fixed costs to the total budget.
- Labor and Equipment: For large-scale projects, experienced personnel for forming, pouring, finishing, and curing tend to be more significant than the cost of materials. Costs may escalate if concrete pumps, vibrators, and finishing gear have to be used.
Weather delays, problems getting to the site, and changes to the scope at the last minute can all mean that the project needs a 5–15% cushion to stay on track.
Strategies to Manage Concrete Costs
Concrete cost management can make or break a big chunk of your project’s budget, as the prices for materials and labor change with the seasons. You actually can save on costs sans losing quality or structure, provided you carefully prepare for smart decisions. These construction cost guidance-based strategies are feasible.
Calculate Accurate Volume Before Ordering
- Calculate your cubic yard needs using online concrete calculators or accurate measurements before ordering. It prevents you from overordering or underordering, both of which may imply delivery fees or waste, respectively.
- It adds a 5–10% waste buffer on top of the numbers for spills and uneven ground; this keeps people from rushing at the last minute.
Compare Multiple Suppliers
- Multiple bids from local concrete vendors allow for price comparison, delivery fees, and discounts, potentially saving hundreds of dollars.
- If your order is flexible in schedule, suppliers may provide significant savings or off-peak rates.
Order Smart — Full Loads
- Full truckloads of concrete are cheaper per yard than partial “short loads,” which could mean additional expenses.
- Streamlining numerous pours or project phases into a single delivery can boost pricing efficiency.
Optimize Mix and Materials
Choose the right concrete mix strength for your project, avoiding over-specifying or adding specific additives.
Plan Delivery Timing
- Consider scheduling pours during off-peak seasons or low demand for better cost and more consistent delivery.
- Avoid weather-sensitive periods to save on accelerators, heated mixes, and rescheduling.
Consider Alternative or Supplemental Materials
Utilizing recycled concrete aggregate or smaller concrete portions with pavers or gravel might save material costs.
How Rising Concrete Prices Affect Larger Projects
Concrete prices are rising due to material price fluctuations and supply chain challenges, which might affect commercial buildings, infrastructure, and megaprojects. While concrete cost has only increased moderately (about 6–8% in 2025 with predicted ongoing increasing pressure into 2026) for ready mix and major inputs like cement and aggregates, these increases nonetheless accumulate on big projects.
Material Trends & Price Drivers
- Input price growth: Concrete product manufacturing indices show persistent higher producer pricing, indicating inflationary trends in raw material costs.
- Market volatility: Tariffs, supply disruptions, and energy costs result in price instability and increase concrete and material costs.
Budget Impact on Large Projects
Major pours involving hundreds of yards can cost tens of thousands with $5 to $15 per cubic yard increases. Slabs, foundations, and pavements use a lot of concrete, thus project budgets must account for escalating material costs.
Developer & Contractor Responses
Developers employ strategic procurement, which involves placing order or contract demands, for holding or securing favorable costs and thereby maintaining margins for long-term projects, along with adjusting project phasing and providing for cost escalations.
Conclusion
The cost is an important part of your project budget because even a slight difference in the cost of concrete, from $120 to $180 per cubic yard for general mix concrete, can end up being spent on a large order.
Planning, correct volume computation, and forecasting prevent surprises and stay on budget. Before setting your project budget, seek multiple quotations and thorough estimates from local suppliers or contractors offering professional concrete pouring services to evaluate prices, understand overall concrete pricing, and cover all scope items.