How Many Cubic Yards in a Concrete Truck?
Quick Answer
A standard fully loaded concrete mixer truck holds up to 10 cubic yards, but 8 to 9 cubic yards is a more typical load once road weight limits are factored in. One full 10-yard truck covers about 810 square feet at 4 inches thick.
- Full mixer capacity: up to 10 cubic yards
- Typical loaded amount: 8–9 cubic yards
- One cubic yard covers 81 sq ft at 4 inches
- Orders under ~3–4 yards usually incur a short-load fee
Formula
One cubic yard is 27 cubic feet. At a 4-inch (0.333 ft) thickness, one cubic yard spreads across 27 ÷ 0.333 = 81 square feet. Multiply truck capacity by 81 to see coverage.
Step-by-Step Calculation
- 1
Cubic feet per yard
1 cubic yard = 27 cubic feet
- 2
Coverage per yard at 4 in
27 ÷ 0.333 = 81 sq ft
- 3
Full 10-yard truck at 4 in
10 × 81 = 810 sq ft
- 4
Same truck at 6 in
10 × 54 = 540 sq ft
Concrete Truck Capacity and Coverage
| Truck Type | Capacity | Covers @ 4 in | Covers @ 6 in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-size mixer (max) | 10 cu yd | 810 sq ft | 540 sq ft |
| Typical loaded amount | 8 cu yd | 648 sq ft | 432 sq ft |
| Mini-mix / trailer | 4 cu yd | 324 sq ft | 216 sq ft |
| Short load (fee applies) | 1–3 cu yd | 81–243 sq ft | 54–162 sq ft |
Full-size trucks are capped near 10 yards by road weight limits, not drum size. Confirm exact capacity and short-load fees with your local plant.
Pro Tips
- A standard mixer truck holds up to 10 cubic yards, but road weight laws often limit the actual load to 8–9 yards. Always confirm the exact delivery volume when scheduling — a 10-yard order may arrive as two separate loads (8+2) at double the delivery fee.
- The concrete truck drum must keep rotating to prevent the load from hardening. Most plants allow 90 minutes from loading to full discharge — after that, they start adding water (which weakens the concrete) or the driver leaves with a partial load still in the drum. Have your crew and forms ready before the truck arrives.
- For orders under 3 cubic yards, you will pay a short-load fee ($50–$150) because running a full truck for a partial load is inefficient for the plant. Above 8 yards, negotiate per-yard pricing — plants prefer full loads and may offer $5–$10 off per yard.
- If your job site has limited access (narrow driveway, soft ground), request a smaller mixer truck or arrange for a concrete pump. A fully loaded 10-yard truck weighs about 60,000 pounds and will destroy a standard residential driveway or get stuck in soft soil.
Key Cost Factors
- Ready-mix concrete costs $120–$180 per cubic yard depending on mix specification and region. A full 8-yard load at $120/yd = $960, while a 3-yard load at $150/yd plus a $100 short-load fee = $550. The per-yard cost drops significantly with larger orders due to fixed delivery and plant costs being spread across more volume.
- Weekend and after-hours delivery costs 15–25% more at most plants. A Saturday pour for 8 yards that would cost $960 on a weekday might run $1,100–$1,200. Plan your pour for a weekday if possible to avoid premium pricing.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Assuming a truck is always full. A standard mixer holds about 10 cubic yards but is often loaded to 8–9 for weight limits. Do not assume a flat 10 when planning.
- Ordering just under a truckload. Ordering 9.5 yards when a truck holds 10 may still be one truck, but ordering 10.5 forces a second truck and a short-load fee — plan around the capacity.
- Ignoring short-load fees. Orders well under a full truck carry extra per-yard charges; batching your pours to fill trucks efficiently saves money.
- Forgetting overage. Always order a bit more than the exact volume so you do not run a truck short mid-pour.
Related Project Considerations
- Plan pours around truck capacity. Knowing a truck delivers roughly 8–10 yards helps you combine or split pours to minimize trips and fees.
- Confirm access and time limits. Trucks charge for extended on-site time; have forms, crew, and a pump or path ready before the truck arrives.
- Coordinate multiple trucks for big pours. For volumes over ~9 yards, stagger truck arrivals so concrete keeps flowing without setting between loads.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a full concrete truck cost?
At $150–$175 per cubic yard, a full 10-yard truck runs about $1,500–$1,750 for the concrete itself. Delivery fees ($50–$150 flat), fuel surcharges, Saturday or after-hours premiums, and pump truck rental (if the truck cannot reach the pour site) are added on top. Always ask for a delivered-to-site total rather than comparing base per-yard rates alone.
What is a short-load fee?
Suppliers charge a short-load fee (often $50–$150 per yard short of the minimum order) when you order less than about 3 to 4 cubic yards. The fee exists because a truck trip has fixed costs — driver, fuel, wear — regardless of how much concrete is in the drum. For small pours under 2 yards, compare the total cost (concrete + short-load fee + delivery) against bagged concrete to see which is actually cheaper.
How many yards can a concrete truck actually carry?
The drum can mix around 10 cubic yards, but most trucks leave the plant with 8 to 9 yards to stay under legal road weight limits (typically 80,000 lbs gross vehicle weight). Overloaded trucks risk DOT fines and accelerated drum wear. Always order based on the capacity the plant confirms for your delivery — if you need exactly 10 yards, you may need to schedule a small second load.