Concrete Cost Per Cubic Yard
Ready-Mix, Bags & Short-Load Fees
Concrete pricing has two very different structures depending on how you order it (ready-mix by the yard or bagged by the bag) and the right choice depends entirely on your project volume. This guide breaks down current ready-mix prices, the real cost of bagged concrete, short-load fees that most people don't anticipate, and the break-even that determines which ordering method saves you money.
See exactly which ordering method is cheaper for your pour. Enter your volume and local ready-mix price to get a side-by-side ready-mix vs bagged cost comparison. Use the concrete cost calculator to run the numbers for your project.
Compare concrete costs →Ready-mix concrete prices
Ready-mix concrete is priced per cubic yard and quoted by local plants based on mix design, delivery distance, and market conditions. National averages are a useful starting point, but concrete is a local commodity , prices vary by $50 to $80 per CY between markets and can move significantly quarter to quarter with cement and fuel costs.
| Mix specification | National avg $/CY | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2500 PSI (non-structural) | $150–$175 | Interior slabs, non-load-bearing |
| 3000 PSI (standard residential) | $160–$185 | Patios, walkways, shed pads |
| 3500 PSI (garage, pool deck) | $170–$200 | Standard upgrade for general residential |
| 4000 PSI (driveway, freeze-thaw) | $180–$210 | Required per ACI 318 for exterior freeze-thaw |
| 4000 PSI + air entrainment | $190–$225 | Correct spec for freeze-thaw exterior concrete |
These ranges reflect standard delivery within 30 miles of the plant during normal business hours. Extended delivery distances add $3 to $8 per mile beyond the plant's standard radius. Weekend and after-hours deliveries add $50 to $150 per load. Pump trucks add $800 to $1,500 per mobilisation when the pour site cannot be reached by a transit mixer's discharge chute.
The national price quoted above includes delivery to your site. When a contractor quotes "concrete at $185 per yard," that price typically includes the ready-mix and delivery, you are not paying a separate delivery fee unless specified. Use the concrete cost calculator to model total material cost at your local price across different volume scenarios.
Short-load fees: the hidden cost
Ready-mix plants operate transit mixers that carry 8 to 10 cubic yards per load. When your order is smaller than the plant minimum (typically 3 to 5 CY depending on the plant and truck type), the plant charges a short-load fee to cover the cost of running a partially loaded truck. This fee is separate from the per-CY price and is the most commonly misunderstood element of concrete pricing.
Effective Cost Per CY with Short-Load Fee
Effective $/CY = (CY × Base Price + Short-Load Fee) ÷ CY
Example: you need 2 cubic yards at $185/CY base price, and the plant charges a $150 short-load fee. Effective cost = (2 × $185 + $150) ÷ 2 = $520 ÷ 2 = $260 per CY. The short-load fee has effectively added $75 per CY to your cost. At 1.5 CY or less, bagged concrete is often cheaper once this calculation is made.
Always ask the plant for their minimum order quantity and short-load fee schedule before requesting a price. Some plants have a flat short-load fee regardless of how small the order; others charge a sliding scale. The concrete cost calculator models this calculation automatically: enter your volume and local prices to see the break-even point for your specific situation.
Bagged concrete costs
Bagged concrete mix is sold by weight, 80lb, 60lb, and 50lb bags are the common sizes. The 80lb bag is the most cost-effective on a per-cubic-foot basis and is the industry standard for comparison calculations.
| Bag size | Yield | Bags per CY | Retail price | Cost per CY |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 80lb (standard) | 0.60 cu ft | 45 | $6.50–$8.00 | $293–$360 |
| 60lb | 0.45 cu ft | 60 | $5.50–$7.00 | $330–$420 |
| 50lb | 0.37 cu ft | 73 | $5.00–$6.50 | $365–$475 |
Bagged concrete has a cost per CY of approximately $293 to $360 at current retail pricing for 80lb bags, significantly higher than ready-mix on a per-CY basis. But for small pours under 1.5 CY where short-load fees would apply, the convenience and total cost can favour bagged. There is also no minimum order and no scheduling dependency, you buy exactly what you need when you are ready to pour.
The labour cost of mixing and placing bagged concrete manually is a real consideration for large projects. Mixing 45 bags by hand or with a small mixer to produce one cubic yard is manageable; mixing 135 bags for three cubic yards is a full day of hard labour. Factor this cost honestly when comparing bagged vs ready-mix for projects in the 1 to 2 CY range.
What drives concrete price movements
Concrete pricing is driven by three underlying commodity costs: cement, aggregate (sand and gravel), and fuel for delivery. Cement represents roughly 25 to 30% of the raw material cost. Aggregate represents another 25 to 35%. Fuel represents 10 to 15% of total plant operating cost. When any of these inputs moves significantly, ready-mix prices follow within one to two quarters.
Cement prices have been elevated since 2022 due to a combination of import tariffs on Canadian cement, supply chain disruptions from energy cost volatility in cement manufacturing, and increased infrastructure spending that tightened supply nationally. The result is that concrete prices rose 8 to 12% annually through 2023 and 2024, with a more moderate 4 to 6% rise expected through 2025. These increases affect both ready-mix and bagged concrete proportionally.
Regional price differences are structural and unlikely to narrow. A rural area in the South with abundant local aggregate and a nearby cement plant will always have lower concrete prices than a dense coastal city that must import both cement and aggregate. The only way to know your current local price is to call a ready-mix plant directly for a quote.
Frequently asked questions
How much does ready-mix concrete cost per yard?
Ready-mix concrete averaged $160 to $210 per cubic yard nationally in early 2026. Standard 3000 PSI residential mix runs $160 to $185 in most markets. Higher-strength 4000 PSI with air entrainment (required for exterior concrete in freeze-thaw climates) runs $190 to $225. Prices in remote locations or high-cost metro areas can exceed $240 per CY. Always get a current quote from your local plant: prices change quarterly with cement and fuel costs.
What is a short-load fee and when does it apply?
A short-load fee applies when your order is below the plant minimum, typically 3 to 5 cubic yards. The fee ranges from $50 to $200 per delivery. On a 1.5-yard pour, a $150 short-load fee adds $100 per CY to the effective cost. Always ask the plant for their minimum order quantity and short-load fee before requesting a price. The concrete cost calculator models this automatically once you enter your volume and local prices.
Is it cheaper to buy bags or ready-mix concrete?
The break-even is approximately 1.5 cubic yards when short-load fees are included. Below 1.5 CY, bagged concrete at 45 bags per CY is often cheaper than ready-mix plus a short-load surcharge. Above 1.5 CY, ready-mix is typically more economical per CY. Factor in the labour cost of mixing bags by hand for larger pours, 45 bags per CY is significant work. Use the concrete cost calculator to see the comparison at your specific volume and prices.
Why does concrete price vary so much by region?
Ready-mix concrete price is driven by cement cost, aggregate availability, and fuel for delivery, all of which vary significantly by region. Areas near cement plants and aggregate quarries have structural cost advantages. Dense urban areas with high land and labour costs have structural disadvantages. The result is that the same mix specification can vary by $50 to $80 per CY between markets. Regional variation is structural and permanent, it reflects local geology and supply chain geography, not contractor margin differences.
How much does high-strength concrete cost compared to standard mix?
Moving from 3000 PSI to 4000 PSI adds approximately $10 to $20 per cubic yard. Adding air entrainment (required for freeze-thaw climates) adds another $8 to $15 per CY. For a 10-yard driveway pour, the full upgrade from standard 3000 PSI to 4000 PSI air-entrained mix costs $180 to $350 extra: well justified given that 4000 PSI with air entrainment is the ACI-minimum for exterior concrete exposed to freeze-thaw and deicing salts.
References
National Ready Mixed Concrete Association. (2025). NRMCA Ready Mixed Concrete Industry Data Report. NRMCA. nrmca.org
RSMeans. (2025). Residential Cost Data. Gordian. gordian.com
American Concrete Institute. (2025). ACI 318-25: Building Code Requirements for Structural Concrete, Table 19.3.3.1. ACI. concrete.org
