NRMCA Data · Updated June 2026
How Much Does a Yard of Concrete Cost? [2026 Prices]
Ready-mix concrete costs $120–$165 per cubic yard nationally in 2026, with regional averages ranging from $120 in the Midwest to $165+ on the West Coast. Short loads, PSI upgrades, and additives all affect the final number.
Quick Answer
Concrete Price by Region — 2026
| Region | States | Low | Average | High |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Midwest | IL, OH, MI, IN, WI, MN, IA, MO | $105 | $120 | $145 |
| Southeast | FL, GA, SC, NC, AL, MS, TN | $110 | $125 | $150 |
| Southwest | TX, AZ, NM, OK, AR, LA | $110 | $125 | $150 |
| Mountain | CO, UT, NV, ID, WY, MT | $115 | $135 | $160 |
| Northeast | NY, MA, CT, NJ, PA, MD, VA | $115 | $130 | $165 |
| West Coast | CA, OR, WA, AK, HI | $130 | $145 | $185 |
Source: NRMCA In Place Concrete Cost Survey 2026. Material cost only — excludes labor, pump trucks, and finishing.
Free Estimator
Concrete Cost Calculator — Quick Estimate
Already know your cubic yards? Enter them below to get a cost estimate for your region instantly.
Material cost only. Add $3–$12/sq ft for labor, finishing and forming. Use the full calculator for complete estimates including bags and sq ft.
Pricing Variables
What Affects the Price of Concrete per Yard?
Six variables move the number most. Understanding them before you call a supplier saves money and avoids surprises on the invoice.
1. PSI Rating — Stronger Mix = Higher Price
| PSI Rating | Use Case | Price vs 3,000 PSI baseline | When to specify |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2,500 PSI | Sidewalks, light patios | −$5 to −$10/yd³ | Interior slabs, non-structural only |
| 3,000 PSI | Most residential — default | Baseline | Driveways, patios, garage floors |
| 3,500 PSI | Heavy vehicles, freeze-thaw | +$8 to +$15/yd³ | Northern states, heavy equipment |
| 4,000 PSI | Commercial, structural | +$15 to +$25/yd³ | Foundation walls, columns, beams |
| 5,000 PSI+ | High-performance, engineered | +$25 to +$50/yd³ | Requires engineer spec |
2. Short Load vs Full Truck — The Biggest Hidden Cost
| Order Size | Typical Surcharge | Effective cost at $125/yd³ base | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full load (8–10 yd³) | $0 | $125/yd³ | Most economical — fill the truck |
| Short load (5–7 yd³) | +$15–$25/yd³ | $140–$150/yd³ | Common for mid-size driveways |
| Mini load (2–4 yd³) | +$25–$50/yd³ | $150–$175/yd³ | Consider mixing bags for <2 yd³ |
| Minimum charge | $200–$400 flat | — | Most plants have a minimum order fee |
3. Common Additives — What They Cost and When You Need Them
| Additive | Cost | When Required | Benefit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air entrainment | +$3–$8/yd³ | Freeze-thaw climates (ACI 318) | Prevents spalling in cold weather |
| Accelerator (calcium chloride) | +$3–$6/yd³ | Cold weather pours (<50°F) | Faster set time |
| Water reducer / plasticizer | +$5–$12/yd³ | Long pours, hot weather | Maintains workability longer |
| Fiber reinforcement (polypropylene) | +$4–$8/yd³ | Crack resistance (slab alternative to mesh) | Reduces shrinkage cracking |
| Color pigment | +$15–$40/yd³ | Decorative applications | Integral color throughout slab |
| Fly ash (partial cement replacement) | −$5 to −$10/yd³ | Available in most markets | Lower cost, slower strength gain |
4. Other Factors That Move the Price
Cost Comparison
Ready-Mix vs Bags — Where the Break-Even Is
The rule of thumb is 1 cubic yard. But the actual break-even depends on bag prices and your short-load surcharge. Here's the full picture.
| Volume | Bags (80 lb @ $11 avg) | Ready-mix (Southeast avg) | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.5 yd³ | 23 bags — $253 | Min charge ~$300 | Bags ✓ |
| 1 yd³ | 45 bags — $495 | ~$175 (short load) | Ready-mix ✓ |
| 3 yd³ | 135 bags — $1,485 | ~$450 (short load) | Ready-mix ✓✓ |
| 5 yd³ | 225 bags — $2,475 | ~$700 (short load) | Ready-mix ✓✓✓ |
| 10 yd³ | 450 bags — $4,950 | ~$1,250 (full truck) | Ready-mix ✓✓✓ |
Project Reference
Concrete Cost by Project Type — 2026
Typical cubic yards and material costs for the most common residential concrete projects at Southeast region pricing ($125/yd³ avg).
| Project | Typical Size | Thickness | Yd³ needed | Material cost | Installed cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Patio slab | 20×20 ft | 4" | 5.5 | $625–$825 | $2,400–$4,000 |
| Driveway | 40×12 ft | 6" | 9.8 | $1,100–$1,450 | $3,840–$8,640 |
| Garage floor | 24×24 ft | 4" | 8.7 | $980–$1,290 | $2,880–$5,760 |
| Foundation footing | 40 lf × 16"×12" | 12" | 2.5 | $280–$370 | $600–$1,200 |
| Sidewalk | 4×40 ft | 4" | 2.0 | $225–$300 | $640–$1,920 |
| Pool deck | 500 sq ft | 4" | 6.9 | $775–$1,025 | $3,000–$6,000 |
Material costs at $125/yd³ regional avg (Southeast) with 10% overage. Installed costs include labor, forms, and finishing. Use the full calculator for exact figures.
Pro Tips
How to Get the Best Price on Concrete
Get 3 quotes from local plants
Ready-mix pricing varies 15–25% between plants in the same metro. Call at least 3 suppliers with the same spec (yd³, PSI, slump) and compare delivered prices.
Order Tuesday–Thursday
Weekend and Monday pours cost more. Mid-week pours in slow season (winter in warm states, shoulder months elsewhere) often come in 5–10% lower.
Fill the truck if you can
Short-load surcharges of $15–$50/yd³ add up fast. If you're at 7 yards, see if a neighbor needs a pad poured — combining orders to fill a truck can save $150–$350.
Ask about fly ash substitution
Many plants offer 15–20% cement replacement with fly ash at the same strength spec. This can reduce cost by $5–$10/yd³ with no performance impact for standard applications.
Common Questions
Concrete Cost Per Yard — FAQ
Ready-mix concrete costs $120–$165 per cubic yard in 2026 depending on region. The national average is approximately $128/yd³. The Midwest is cheapest at $120/yd³ average; the West Coast is most expensive at $145/yd³ average. These are material-only prices — labor, forms, and finishing add $3–$12/sq ft depending on project type.
A full ready-mix truck holds 8–10 cubic yards and costs $960–$1,650 for the material depending on region and PSI. A 10-yard truck at $128/yd³ national average comes to $1,280. Full trucks avoid the short-load surcharge ($15–$50/yd³ extra) that applies to orders under 8 yards at most plants.
Concrete prices increased 18–25% between 2020 and 2026 driven by four factors: cement manufacturing energy costs (cement kilns run at 1,450°C), aggregate transport costs tied to diesel prices, labor shortages in ready-mix driving, and strong residential construction demand. Portland cement prices alone increased 40%+ since 2020. The good news: prices have stabilized since 2024 and are expected to remain flat through 2026.
Mixing bags yourself costs more per cubic yard than ready-mix for almost any project over 0.5 yards. An 80 lb bag costs $9–$13 and yields 0.60 ft³ — that's $405–$585 worth of bags per cubic yard vs $120–$165 for ready-mix delivery. The only scenario where bags win: small projects (under 0.5 yd³) or projects with no truck access where a pump truck would add $1,000+.
One cubic yard covers different areas depending on thickness: 81 sq ft at 4 inches, 54 sq ft at 6 inches, 40.5 sq ft at 8 inches. The formula: 27 (ft³/yd³) ÷ thickness in feet = square feet per yard. At 4 inches (0.333 ft): 27 ÷ 0.333 = 81 sq ft. Use this to sanity-check any quote you receive.
The four most effective tactics: (1) Get 3 quotes from local plants with identical specs — prices vary 15–25% between suppliers. (2) Order mid-week to avoid weekend surcharges. (3) Fill the truck to avoid short-load fees of $15–$50/yd³. (4) Ask about fly ash substitution, which can reduce cost $5–$10/yd³ at the same strength spec for most standard applications.
Regional pricing verified against NRMCA 2026 In Place Concrete Cost Survey covering 90+ US metro markets. PSI pricing differentials from RS Means Concrete Cost Data. Short-load surcharge ranges from direct supplier interviews in 12 markets. Updated June 2026. Reviewed quarterly.