Tip 1
Order the right volume
Short load fees can add 10-25% on small orders. Calculate volume precisely and add normal waste.
2026 Ready-Mix Price Guide
Ready-Mix Concrete Prices 2026: Cost Per Cubic Yard, Per State & Per Mix
Per Cubic Yard
$179.89/yd3
National average from NRMCA 2024. Common 2026 range: $160-$195/yd3. Short load: +$50-$150.
Per Square Foot
$6.50-$10.50
Plain slab installed cost including labor, subbase, and finishing. Decorative work can reach $18/sq ft.
Per Ton
$50-$75/ton
Bulk reference only. One cubic yard is about 2.03 tons; a full truck is roughly 20 tons.
Ready-Mix Concrete Price Calculator
Enter your project details to estimate total material cost including delivery.
Material Cost Estimate
$890 - $1,088
5.5 yd3 with waste - 3000 PSI - National Average
$180
delivered per yd3
Base price (5.5 yd3 x $179.89)$989
PSI premium (3000)$0
Air entrainment$0
Fiber reinforcement$0
Delivery (20 miles or less)$0
Short load fee$0 4+ yd3
Weekend surcharge$0
Need bags instead? Equivalent: about 248 bags of 80 lb mix = $1,736. Ready-mix saves $747 before mixing labor.
This is materials only. For installed cost with labor, see the concrete slab cost guide.
Ready-mix concrete costs $160 to $195 per cubic yard in 2026, with a national average of $179.89 per cubic yard based on NRMCA 2024 industry data. Use the calculator above to estimate delivery, then calculate how many cubic yards you need for the pour.
What's Included in Ready-Mix Concrete Pricing?
| Fee Component | Typical Cost | Always Included? | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concrete mix | $140-$175/yd3 | Yes | Cement, aggregate, water, admixtures |
| Batch plant overhead | $10-$20/yd3 | Yes | Included in quoted price |
| Standard delivery | $0-$30/yd3 | Usually | Most suppliers include within 20 miles |
| Short load fee | $50-$150 flat or $53/yd3 | Only under minimum | Biggest surprise cost |
| Distance surcharge | $9.50/mile over 20 mi | Only if far | Industry-standard planning rate |
| Saturday delivery | +$8/yd3 | Weekend only | Some suppliers charge more |
| Sunday / holiday | +$15-$25/yd3 | Holiday only | Availability varies |
| PSI upgrade | +$5-$30/yd3 | If specified | See PSI matrix |
| Air entrainment | +$5-$15/yd3 | If specified | Recommended in freeze-thaw climates |
| Fiber reinforcement | +$8-$15/yd3 | If specified | Reduces surface cracking |
| Colored concrete | +$31-$170/yd3 | If specified | Integral pigment varies widely |
| Pump truck | $350-$800/day + operator | If needed | For difficult site access |
Concrete Price by PSI Strength - 2026 Cost Matrix
PSI measures compressive strength. Higher PSI means stronger concrete and a higher per-yard cost.
| PSI Grade | Price Premium | National Avg Price | Applications | Min Recommended Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2,500 PSI | -$5/yd3 | ~$175/yd3 | Sidewalks, light patios, fills | Foot traffic only |
| 3,000 PSI | Base | ~$180/yd3 | Standard slabs, patios, driveways | Most residential projects |
| 3,500 PSI | +$8/yd3 | ~$188/yd3 | Heavy driveways, freeze-thaw | Heavy vehicle loads |
| 4,000 PSI | +$15/yd3 | ~$195/yd3 | Foundations, RV pads, commercial | Code minimum for many foundations |
| 4,500 PSI | +$22/yd3 | ~$202/yd3 | High-load structural | Engineered applications |
| 5,000 PSI | +$30/yd3 | ~$210/yd3 | Industrial, high-performance | Rarely residential |
Which PSI do you need?
Patios and shed bases: 2,500-3,000 PSI. Driveways and garage floors: 3,000-3,500 PSI. Foundations and RV pads: 4,000 PSI minimum.
Freeze-thaw climates
Specify air entrainment in MN, WI, MI, OH, IL, IN, PA, NY, MA, CT, VT, NH, ME, ND, SD, MT, WY, CO, IA, and northern MO.
Ready-Mix Concrete Prices by State - 2026
Based on the NRMCA 2024 national average of $179.89/yd3, adjusted for regional labor, energy, and transportation cost indices. Verify with local suppliers before budgeting.
| State | Avg Price/yd3 | Typical Range | Regional Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $162 | $148-$176 | Regional estimate; verify locally |
| Alaska | $215 | $195-$240 | Highest logistics cost |
| Arizona | $172 | $158-$188 | Regional estimate; verify locally |
| Arkansas | $158 | $144-$172 | Regional estimate; verify locally |
| California | $192 | $175-$210 | LA survey near $182/yd3; coastal premiums vary |
| Colorado | $178 | $162-$194 | Regional estimate; verify locally |
| Connecticut | $188 | $172-$204 | Regional estimate; verify locally |
| Delaware | $182 | $166-$198 | Regional estimate; verify locally |
| Florida | $168 | $154-$184 | Regional estimate; verify locally |
| Georgia | $162 | $148-$176 | Regional estimate; verify locally |
| Hawaii | $220 | $200-$245 | Island logistics premium |
| Idaho | $168 | $154-$184 | Regional estimate; verify locally |
| Illinois | $183 | $170-$210 | Chicago survey near $183/yd3 |
| Indiana | $168 | $154-$184 | Regional estimate; verify locally |
| Iowa | $162 | $148-$176 | Regional estimate; verify locally |
| Kansas | $160 | $146-$174 | Regional estimate; verify locally |
| Kentucky | $162 | $148-$176 | Regional estimate; verify locally |
| Louisiana | $162 | $148-$176 | Regional estimate; verify locally |
| Maine | $182 | $166-$198 | Regional estimate; verify locally |
| Maryland | $185 | $169-$201 | Regional estimate; verify locally |
| Massachusetts | $190 | $174-$206 | Regional estimate; verify locally |
| Michigan | $170 | $156-$186 | Regional estimate; verify locally |
| Minnesota | $172 | $158-$188 | Regional estimate; verify locally |
| Mississippi | $156 | $142-$170 | Regional estimate; verify locally |
| Missouri | $164 | $150-$178 | Regional estimate; verify locally |
| Montana | $170 | $156-$186 | Regional estimate; verify locally |
| Nebraska | $160 | $146-$174 | Regional estimate; verify locally |
| Nevada | $175 | $160-$192 | Regional estimate; verify locally |
| New Hampshire | $185 | $169-$201 | Regional estimate; verify locally |
| New Jersey | $190 | $174-$206 | Regional estimate; verify locally |
| New Mexico | $165 | $151-$180 | Regional estimate; verify locally |
| New York | $188 | $172-$205 | Regional estimate; verify locally |
| North Carolina | $165 | $151-$180 | Regional estimate; verify locally |
| North Dakota | $168 | $154-$184 | Regional estimate; verify locally |
| Ohio | $170 | $156-$186 | Regional estimate; verify locally |
| Oklahoma | $158 | $144-$172 | Regional estimate; verify locally |
| Oregon | $185 | $169-$201 | Regional estimate; verify locally |
| Pennsylvania | $178 | $162-$194 | Regional estimate; verify locally |
| Rhode Island | $188 | $172-$204 | Regional estimate; verify locally |
| South Carolina | $162 | $148-$176 | Regional estimate; verify locally |
| South Dakota | $164 | $150-$178 | Regional estimate; verify locally |
| Tennessee | $162 | $148-$176 | Regional estimate; verify locally |
| Texas | $165 | $151-$180 | Regional estimate; verify locally |
| Utah | $172 | $158-$188 | Regional estimate; verify locally |
| Vermont | $182 | $166-$198 | Regional estimate; verify locally |
| Virginia | $172 | $158-$188 | Lynchburg survey near $165/yd3 |
| Washington | $188 | $172-$204 | Regional estimate; verify locally |
| West Virginia | $162 | $148-$176 | Regional estimate; verify locally |
| Wisconsin | $170 | $156-$186 | Regional estimate; verify locally |
| Wyoming | $168 | $154-$184 | Regional estimate; verify locally |
| National Avg | $179.89 | $160-$195 | NRMCA 2024 national average |
Important: these prices reflect ready-mix concrete materials plus standard delivery within 20 miles. They do not include labor, subbase, reinforcement, or finishing.
Concrete Delivery Costs: Short Load Fees, Distance & Weekend Surcharges
Short load fee: the #1 surprise cost
Most ready-mix suppliers have a 3-4 yd3 minimum. Orders below minimum may pay $50-$150 flat or about $53/yd3 below the minimum. Ask: "What is your minimum and short load policy?"
| Distance from Plant | Surcharge | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 0-20 miles | $0 | Included in base price for most suppliers |
| 21-30 miles | +$95-$190 | $9.50/mile x extra miles |
| 31-40 miles | +$190-$285 | Time and set control start to matter |
| 41-60 miles | +$285-$475 | Some suppliers will not deliver this far |
| 60+ miles | Call supplier | May require volumetric mixer |
| Delivery Day | Surcharge | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Monday-Friday | $0 | Standard rate |
| Saturday | +$8/yd3 | Common weekend surcharge |
| Sunday | +$15-$25/yd3 | Many suppliers do not offer Sunday delivery |
| Federal holiday | +$20-$30/yd3 | Confirm availability |
Pump truck costs
Line pumps often run $350-$700/day plus $75-$150/hr operator. Boom pumps are larger, commonly $800-$1,500/day plus operator. Pumping usually pays off when difficult access would require hours of wheelbarrow relay.
Ready-Mix vs. Bagged vs. Volumetric Concrete: Full Comparison
| Ready-Mix | Bagged (80 lb) | Volumetric Mixer | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unit cost | $160-$195/yd3 | $315-$350/yd3 | $180-$230/yd3 |
| Min order | 3-4 yd3 | No minimum | Usually 1 yd3 |
| Delivery | Included within 20 mi | Self-haul or retail delivery | Included |
| Mix consistency | Excellent | Variable | Excellent |
| Pour speed | Fast | Slow | Fast |
| Flexibility | Fixed volume | Mix as needed | Mix on-site |
| Waste risk | Order too much = waste | Use only what you need | No waste |
| Best for | Projects over 1.5 yd3 | Projects under 0.75 yd3 | Remote sites; odd volumes |
A volumetric mixer carries dry materials and water separately, then mixes on site. It can avoid short load penalties and waste for remote sites or uncertain volumes.
Ready-Mix Concrete Price History: 2020-2026
Concrete prices rose sharply after 2020 because cement production, diesel, labor, and aggregate costs all moved higher.
| Year | Avg Price/yd3 | YoY Change | Key Driver |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | ~$120 | - | Pre-inflation baseline |
| 2021 | ~$130 | +8% | Supply chain disruption begins |
| 2022 | ~$148 | +14% | Cement shortage, energy spike, labor |
| 2023 | ~$162 | +9% | Continued material and labor inflation |
| 2024 | $179.89 | +11% | NRMCA official data |
| 2025 | ~$182-$188 | +2-5% | Stabilizing with regional variation |
| 2026 | $160-$195 | Stable | Range reflects regional variation |
Prices are expected to remain stable to modestly higher through 2027 as supply chains normalize but labor costs remain elevated.
5 Ways to Reduce Your Ready-Mix Concrete Cost
Tip 2
Schedule weekday mornings
Saturday, Sunday, and holiday delivery surcharges add cost and reduce supplier availability.
Tip 3
Get 3+ supplier quotes
A $30/yd3 difference on a 10 yd3 order is $300. Give every supplier identical specs.
Tip 4
Specify only the PSI you need
Do not pay for 4,000 PSI where 3,000 PSI meets the application, but never under-spec foundations.
Tip 5
Combine pours
A full truckload can avoid short load fees and reduce the effective per-yard price.
Ready-Mix Concrete Prices - Frequently Asked Questions
How much does ready-mix concrete cost per yard?+
Ready-mix concrete costs $160 to $195 per cubic yard in 2026, with a national average of $179.89 per cubic yard based on NRMCA 2024 industry data. A full 10-yard truckload runs $1,600 to $1,950 delivered within 20 miles.
How much does a yard of concrete cost delivered?+
A cubic yard of concrete costs $160-$195 delivered within 20 miles. Delivery beyond 20 miles adds roughly $9.50 per mile, and short load fees of $50-$150 apply to many orders under 3-4 cubic yards.
What is a short load fee for concrete?+
A short load fee is a surcharge for orders below a supplier's minimum quantity, typically 3-4 cubic yards. Fees are usually $50-$150 flat or about $53 per cubic yard below the minimum.
How much does concrete delivery cost?+
Standard delivery within 20 miles is often included in the base price. Longer distances, weekend delivery, holidays, and pump truck access can add separate fees.
How much does 3,000 PSI concrete cost per yard?+
3,000 PSI concrete costs $160-$195 per cubic yard at the national average. It is the base price for standard ready-mix and the most common residential mix.
How many yards of concrete are in a full truck?+
A standard ready-mix truck holds 9-11 cubic yards, with 10 cubic yards being the most common full load.
How much has concrete gone up in price?+
Ready-mix concrete prices have risen about 50% since 2020, from roughly $120/yd3 to the current national average of $179.89/yd3, driven by cement, transportation, and labor inflation.