How Many Yards of Concrete Are in a Truck? (And What a Full Load Costs)
A standard ready-mix truck carries 8 to 11 cubic yards of concrete, and 10 is the number most plants treat as a full load. Fully loaded, that drum is hauling over 20 tons of product, which is why the truck can’t always get where you want it and why the pricing works the way it does.
Truck sizes at a glance
| Truck | Capacity | Where you see it |
|---|---|---|
| Full-size mixer | 8 to 11 yd | Standard delivery on driveways, slabs, footings |
| Mini mixer | 4 to 5 yd | Tight access, residential backyards |
| Mobile batch truck | Mixes on site, pay per yard used | Odd-size jobs from 1 to 8 yd |
The number to remember: a truck is full at about 10 yards, and everything under roughly half a truck starts collecting small-load economics.
What a full truck costs
At $125 to $180 a yard, a 10-yard load runs $1,250 to $1,800 delivered, before any extras. That makes the full truck the cheapest concrete you can buy per yard: fees get spread across the whole load, and plants prioritize full-truck orders on busy days. The yard price guide breaks down the per-yard number and the fees that ride along on smaller orders.
What 10 yards covers
| Pour | At 4 in thick | At 6 in thick |
|---|---|---|
| One truck (10 yd) | 810 sq ft | 540 sq ft |
| Example | A 27 x 30 driveway | A 22 x 24 shop floor |
Working the other way: a 24 by 24 two-car driveway at 5 inches needs about 9 yards. One truck, almost exactly, which is not a coincidence; residential driveways are what these trucks were sized around.
Figure your pour in yards and bags →
The 10-yard truck questions, answered
How much does a 10-yard truck of concrete cost? $1,250 to $1,800 delivered in most markets, depending on mix strength and distance. Ask for the all-in number at your PSI spec.
How much does the truck weigh? Around 27,000 lb empty and up to 66,000 lb loaded. It will crack a residential driveway it parks on and sink in soft ground, so plan the approach and pump or wheelbarrow the last stretch if needed.
How long do you get to unload? Plants typically allow 5 to 10 minutes per yard; past that, standby time bills by the minute. Have the crew, forms, and path ready before the truck rolls.
Can you order less than a full truck? Yes, down to 1 yard at most plants, but a short-load fee of $50 to $150 applies under about 5 yards. Between a half yard and 2 yards, compare against bags with the concrete calculator.
Ordering the right amount the first time
- Round up to the nearest quarter yard, then add the waste allowance. Coming up short mid-pour means a cold joint and a second delivery fee.
- If your job needs more than one truck, tell the plant. They’ll schedule the second so the first pour doesn’t set while you wait.
- Verify access: 11 feet of width and 14 of overhead clearance is a safe rule for a full-size mixer.
Concrete truck dimensions and weight
Knowing the truck’s footprint answers half the delivery questions before you call.
| Spec | Full-size mixer | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 28 – 32 ft | Needs a long straight approach or room to swing |
| Width | 8.5 ft (10+ with chutes) | Gates and side yards are usually the blocker |
| Height | 12.5 – 13.5 ft | Branches and service drops decide the path |
| Weight empty | ~27,000 lb | Already heavier than anything else that visits |
| Weight loaded | up to 66,000 lb | Stays off septic fields, thin slabs, wet lawns |
| Chute reach | 12 – 16 ft | Past that you’re wheelbarrowing or pumping |
The chute line is the one that changes plans: if the pour sits more than about 15 feet from where the truck can safely stand, budget for a pump ($400 to $900) or a long morning with wheelbarrows.
Can a concrete truck drive on my driveway?
Treat the answer as no. A loaded mixer runs 30-plus tons, and a residential driveway is a 4-inch slab rated for cars. Trucks crack driveways often enough that most plants make you sign a damage waiver before they’ll leave the street. Plan the pour so the truck stays on the road or on compacted gravel, and let the chute, a pump, or wheelbarrows cover the last stretch.
What a full load costs, all-in
A 10-yard load at $125 to $180 a yard runs $1,250 to $1,800 in concrete. On top: a fuel or delivery charge at some plants ($25 to $75), standby time if unloading runs long, and higher-PSI or fiber mixes at $10 to $30 a yard extra. A realistic all-in figure for a full truck of driveway-grade concrete is $1,400 to $2,000 depending on region. Get the quote itemized and the surprises disappear.
Quick answers
How many yards fit in a concrete truck? Most full-size mixers carry 10 yards; the legal payload in some states caps working loads at 8 or 9. Ask what the plant actually dispatches.
How many square feet does a truckload cover? About 810 square feet at 4 inches thick, or a 27 by 30 foot slab. At 6 inches it drops to 540.
Do I pay for a full truck if I order less? No, you pay per yard plus a short-load fee under about 5 yards. The fee usually runs $50 to $150 and disappears on bigger orders.
How long can concrete stay in the truck? Roughly 90 minutes or 300 drum revolutions from batching, less in heat. It’s why plants schedule tightly and why your site needs to be ready when the truck rolls up. Size the order right the first time with the concrete calculator.