Cost by size
| Cubic yards | 80 lb bags | Bag cost | Ready-mix cost | Cheaper |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.25 | 12 | $78 | $320 | Bags |
| 0.50 | 23 | $150 | $320 | Bags |
| 0.75 | 34 | $221 | $320 | Bags |
| 1.00 | 45 | $292 | $320 | Bags |
| 1.50 | 68 | $442 | $405 | Ready-mix |
| 2.00 | 90 | $585 | $490 | Ready-mix |
| 3.00 | 135 | $878 | $660 | Ready-mix |
| 4.00 | 180 | $1,170 | $680 | Ready-mix |
| 5.00 | 225 | $1,462 | $850 | Ready-mix |
What else to weigh
- Labor: one cubic yard is about 45 bags and 3,600 lb to lift, mix and place.
- Cold joints: mixing bags slowly on a big slab can leave weak seams. A truck pours it all at once.
- Truck access: chutes reach about 15–20 ft. Beyond that you need wheelbarrows or a pump, which costs extra.
- Mixer rental: a drum mixer rents for about $50–80 a day and speeds up bag pours.
Typical 2026 US prices used in the tables: 80 lb concrete $6.50, ready-mix $170/yd³ plus a $150 short-load fee under 4 yd³; gravel $5.50 per 0.5 ft³ bag or $45/ton + $100 delivery; mulch $4 per 2 ft³ bag or $40/yd³ + $75 delivery; topsoil $3.25 per 0.75 ft³ bag or $35/yd³ + $75 delivery. Change any of them in the calculators.