Want to know how much concrete fits in a truck? You’re in the right place! Let’s make this super easy to understand.
How Many Yards of Concrete in a Truck? The Quick Answer
Most concrete trucks hold 8 to 10 yards of concrete.
Think of it this way: one truck can fill up a regular driveway!
The most common size is 10 cubic yards. That’s what you’ll see driving around your neighborhood.
What Does “Cubic Yard” Even Mean?
Don’t worry – this sounds fancy but it’s simple!
A cubic yard is a box that measures:
- 3 feet long
- 3 feet wide
- 3 feet tall
Picture a big washing machine. That’s about one cubic yard!
So when a truck holds 10 yards, it’s like having 10 big washing machines full of concrete.
Different Truck Sizes (From Small to Big)
Not all concrete trucks are the same size. Here are your options:
Mini Trucks (The Small Guys)
- Hold: 2 to 4 yards
- Perfect for: Small backyard projects
- Good for: Tight spaces, narrow driveways
Standard Trucks (Most Popular)
- Hold: 8 to 10 yards
- Perfect for: Driveways, patios, garage floors
- Good for: Most home projects
Large Trucks (The Big Boys)
- Hold: 12 to 14 yards
- Perfect for: Big commercial jobs
- Good for: Large building foundations
Special Volumetric Mixers
- Hold: Adjustable amounts
- Perfect for: When you need exact amounts
- Good for: Reducing waste
How Much Space Does One Truckload Cover?
Here’s what 10 yards of concrete (one full truck) can do:
For a 4-inch thick slab:
- Covers about 810 square feet
- That’s a driveway about 20 feet by 40 feet
- Or a large patio
For a 6-inch thick slab:
- Covers about 540 square feet
- That’s a smaller driveway
- Or a strong foundation section
Quick tip: Thicker = stronger, but you need more concrete!
Why Can’t Trucks Fill All the Way Up?
Good question! Here’s why:
Reason 1: Weight Limits
- Concrete is HEAVY!
- A full truck weighs about 66,000 pounds
- That’s like 10 elephants!
- Roads have weight rules to keep everyone safe
Reason 2: Mixing Space
- The drum needs to spin
- Concrete needs room to mix
- Can’t fill it 100% or it won’t mix well
Reason 3: Safety
- Too much weight = dangerous
- Could damage roads
- Truck might tip over
How to Calculate How Many Trucks You Need
This is easier than you think!
Step 1: Measure Your Project
- Length (in feet)
- Width (in feet)
- Thickness (in inches)
Step 2: Use This Simple Formula
Length × Width × (Thickness ÷ 12) ÷ 27 = Cubic Yards
Example: A Driveway
- 20 feet long
- 30 feet wide
- 4 inches thick
Math: 20 × 30 × (4 ÷ 12) ÷ 27 = 7.4 yards
You’d need: One truck! (Most hold 8-10 yards)
Pro Tip: Always order 5-10% extra. Better to have too much than too little!
What About Those Concrete Bags at the Store?
Sometimes you see bags at hardware stores. How do they compare?
80-pound bags:
- You need 45 bags = 1 cubic yard
- Good for: Tiny repairs, small posts
60-pound bags:
- You need 60 bags = 1 cubic yard
- Good for: Very small projects
For a full truck (10 yards):
- That’s 450 bags (80-lb) or 600 bags (60-lb)
- Way too much work to mix by hand!
- Just order a truck instead
How Much Does a Truckload Cost?
Let’s talk money (prices from 2024-2025):
Full Truckload (10 yards):
- Costs about $1,200 to $1,450
- That’s $119 to $147 per yard
Short Load (Less than 10 yards):
- Costs more per yard
- About $166 to $172 per yard
- Why? The truck still has to come out
Extra Fees to Watch For:
- Delivery fee: $0 to $100
- Weekend delivery: Extra $50 to $100
- Rush delivery: Extra charges
- Long distance: More money
Money-Saving Tip: Order a full truck when possible. It’s cheaper per yard!
Types of Concrete Trucks Explained
Regular Mixer Trucks (The Spinning Drums)
- What they look like: Big barrel that spins
- Concrete is already mixed
- Just pour and go
- Most common type
Volumetric Mixers (The Mobile Factories)
- Mix concrete right at your house
- Can adjust the recipe on the spot
- Make exactly what you need
- No waste!
- Cost a bit more
Mini Concrete Trucks (The Tiny Helpers)
- Small enough for tight spaces
- Perfect for backyards
- Can go where big trucks can’t
- Hold less concrete
Important Things to Know Before Ordering
Timing Matters
- Concrete starts hardening in 90 minutes
- Be ready when the truck arrives!
- Have help available
- Know exactly where it goes
Access Requirements
- Can the truck reach your project?
- Need at least 10 feet wide path
- Check for low tree branches
- Look for power lines
Weather Conditions
- Best temperature: 50°F to 80°F
- Too hot = dries too fast
- Too cold = might not cure right
- Don’t pour in rain if possible
Site Preparation
- Ground must be ready
- Forms should be built
- Gravel base in place
- Rebar or wire mesh installed
Common Projects and Truck Needs
Driveway (Single Car):
- Size: 12 feet × 20 feet × 4 inches
- Needs: 3 yards (short load)
- Trucks needed: Less than one
Driveway (Two Car):
- Size: 20 feet × 40 feet × 4 inches
- Needs: 10 yards
- Trucks needed: One full truck
Patio:
- Size: 15 feet × 15 feet × 4 inches
- Needs: 2.8 yards (short load)
- Trucks needed: Less than one
Garage Floor:
- Size: 20 feet × 20 feet × 4 inches
- Needs: 5 yards (short load)
- Trucks needed: Less than one
House Foundation Wall:
- Size: Varies a lot
- Needs: Multiple trucks usually
- Trucks needed: Could be 3-5 or more
Sidewalk:
- Size: 4 feet × 50 feet × 4 inches
- Needs: 2.5 yards (short load)
- Trucks needed: Less than one
Truck Weight Facts (Cool to Know!)
Empty Concrete Truck:
- Weighs about 20,000 to 30,000 pounds
- That’s the truck itself
Full Concrete Truck:
- Weighs about 66,000 pounds total
- Concrete alone: 40,000 pounds
- That’s 20 tons of concrete!
Why This Matters:
- Heavy trucks can crack old driveways
- Might sink in soft ground
- Road rules protect pavement
- Some neighborhoods have restrictions
What Happens During Delivery?
Step 1: Truck Arrives
- Driver checks the location
- Looks at access
- Confirms the order
Step 2: Setup
- Extends the chute
- Positions near your forms
- Makes sure everything’s safe
Step 3: Pouring
- Concrete flows down the chute
- Driver controls the speed
- You guide where it goes
- Workers spread it out
Step 4: Cleanup
- Driver rinses the chute
- You have about 90 minutes to finish
- Smooth and level the concrete
- Start curing process
How Long It Takes: About 10-30 minutes to unload
Special Concrete Situations
Need a Pump?
Sometimes the truck can’t reach your spot.
Concrete Pump Truck:
- Pumps concrete through a hose
- Can reach 100+ feet away
- Can go over houses!
- Costs extra: $200 to $800
When You Need One:
- Backyard projects
- Over garages
- Tight access areas
- Basements
Short Load Situations
Ordering less than 10 yards?
Things to Know:
- You’ll pay a premium
- Still worth it for small jobs
- Better than mixing bags by hand
- Some companies have minimums
Partial Trucks
What if you need 11 yards (more than one truck)?
Option 1: Order two trucks
- Get 16-20 yards total
- Waste the extra
- Not cost-effective
Option 2: Use a volumetric mixer
- Make exactly 11 yards
- No waste
- Might cost slightly more
Mistakes to Avoid
Mistake #1: Not Ordering Enough
- Always add 5-10% extra
- Can’t add more later
- Running short ruins your project
Mistake #2: Ordering Too Early
- Your site must be 100% ready
- Concrete waits for no one
- Starts hardening immediately
Mistake #3: No Help Available
- You need at least 2-3 people
- Concrete is HEAVY
- Time pressure is real
- Don’t try to do it alone
Mistake #4: Bad Weather Day
- Check the forecast
- Avoid extreme temperatures
- No rain in forecast
- Plan for ideal conditions
Mistake #5: Access Problems
- Measure your gates
- Check overhead clearance
- Know the truck route
- Have a backup plan
Frequently Asked Questions
For a typical two-car driveway (20×40 feet at 4 inches thick), you need about 10 yards. That’s exactly one full concrete truck!
Yes! It’s called a “short load.” You can order as little as 1-2 yards, but it costs more per yard. Many companies charge extra fees for short loads.
About 90 minutes from when water is added. After that, it starts getting too hard to use. Be ready when the truck arrives!
Only if the regular truck can’t reach your project. If your project is in a backyard or far from where the truck can park, you’ll need a pump.
One cubic yard equals about 45 eighty-pound bags. A full truck (10 yards) would be 450 bags! That’s why ordering a truck makes sense.
You can pour extra pads, walkways, or stepping stones. Some people make concrete planters. Don’t let it go to waste!
This is bad! You can’t really fix it well. The new concrete won’t bond perfectly to old concrete. Always order a bit extra.
Yes, if your driveway is old or weak. The truck weighs 30+ tons when full. Tell the driver about any concerns. They can park on the street.
Walkways: 4 inches
Patios: 4 inches
Driveways: 4-6 inches
Garage floors: 4-6 inches
Heavy vehicles: 6-8 inches
Mini trucks start at 2 cubic yards. They’re perfect for tight spaces and small repairs. Great for backyard projects where big trucks can’t go.
A full 10-yard truck usually empties in 10-30 minutes. It depends on how fast your crew can spread and level the concrete.
Yes, but it’s hard work! Small projects (under 2 yards) are doable. Anything bigger, consider hiring help. You need experience to get it smooth and level.
Early morning is best! You want cooler temperatures and more working time. Avoid afternoon heat, especially in summer.
Many do, but expect to pay extra. Weekend delivery fees can add $50-$100. Some companies don’t deliver on Sundays.
Ask neighbors for recommendations
Read online reviews
Get multiple quotes
Ask about their experience
Check their insurance
Conclusion: How Many Yards of Concrete in a Truck Made Simple
Let’s wrap this up nice and easy!
The main answer: Most concrete trucks hold 8 to 10 cubic yards. That’s enough for a typical driveway!
Remember these key points:
- 10 yards covers about 810 square feet at 4 inches thick
- One cubic yard = 27 cubic feet (a 3×3×3 box)
- Always order 5-10% extra
- Short loads cost more per yard
- Be ready when the truck arrives
Choosing your truck:
- Small projects (1-4 yards): Mini truck or short load
- Medium projects (5-8 yards): Short load
- Large projects (9-14 yards): Full truck or multiple trucks
Before you order:
- Measure your project carefully
- Calculate cubic yards needed
- Add extra for waste
- Check truck access
- Prepare your site completely
- Have help available
- Check the weather
Quick formula reminder: Length × Width × (Thickness ÷ 12) ÷ 27 = Cubic Yards Needed
Now you know everything about how many yards of concrete in a truck! You’re ready to order with confidence. No more confusion or stress.
The concrete truck driver will be impressed that you know your stuff!
Final tip: When in doubt, call the concrete company. They help people every day and can double-check your calculations. They’d rather help you get it right than have you order wrong!
Good luck with your project! You’ve got this! 🚛