How Much Does Concrete Cost in 2026?
The short answer: $130–$200 per cubic yard delivered by ready-mix truck, or $5–$9 per 80-lb bag if you mix yourself. The break-even is around 0.5 cubic yards — about 23 bags. Above that, the truck is almost always cheaper and faster. Below that, bags win.
Ready-mix truck pricing by region (2026)
| Region | $/cu yd (2026) | Min order |
|---|---|---|
| Southeast US (FL, GA, AL, NC, SC) | $130–$155 | Usually 1 cu yd |
| Midwest (IL, OH, IN, MO) | $140–$165 | 1 cu yd |
| Northeast (NY, NJ, MA, PA) | $160–$200 | 1–3 cu yd |
| West Coast (CA, OR, WA) | $175–$220 | 1 cu yd |
| Mountain West (CO, UT, AZ) | $150–$180 | 1 cu yd |
| Rural / outside metro | +$15–40 delivery surcharge | Often 3 cu yd minimum |
Most ready-mix yards charge a short-load fee of $50–$150 if you order under their minimum (typically 3–5 cu yd in some markets). They also charge a standby fee of $1–3/minute if the truck waits more than 7–10 minutes after arrival. Have your forms ready.
Bagged concrete pricing
| Bag size | Price (2026) | Yields | Bags per cu yd |
|---|---|---|---|
| 40 lb | $3.50–$5.50 | 0.30 cu ft mixed | ~90 |
| 60 lb | $4.50–$7 | 0.45 cu ft mixed | ~60 |
| 80 lb | $5–$9 | 0.60 cu ft mixed | ~45 |
| Fast-setting (Quikrete Q-Max, etc.) | $8–$14 / 50 lb | 0.375 cu ft | ~70 |
Bagged is universally available at Home Depot, Lowe's, Tractor Supply, and lumber yards. Pro tip: 80-lb bags are usually the cheapest per pound. Don't buy 40-lb unless you can't physically lift 80.
The break-even calculation
For a 12×10 ft × 4-inch slab (1.48 cu yd, well above the break-even):
- Bags: 67 × 80-lb bags × $7 = $469 + 4–6 hours of mixing labor
- Ready-mix truck (1.5 cu yd): 1.5 × $150 + $75 short-load fee = $300 + 30 minutes of pour time
- Truck wins by $169 and saves an entire afternoon.
For a 4×4 ft × 4-inch fence-post footing (0.20 cu yd, below break-even):
- Bags: 9 × 80-lb bags × $7 = $63
- Ready-mix truck: $150 minimum + $100 short-load = $250 minimum
- Bags win by $187.
Use the concrete calculator with your specific dimensions, then compare both options.
Hidden costs around the concrete itself
- Compacted gravel base — almost always required under a slab. 4 inches of crushed stone runs $35–$60 per cubic yard delivered, plus a vibratory plate compactor rental ($60–80/day). For a 12×10 slab: 1.5 cu yd of base ≈ $75 + $70 compactor = $145.
- Reinforcement — wire mesh runs $0.20–$0.40 per sq ft of slab; #4 rebar grids run $0.30–$0.60. Most residential 4-inch slabs use 6×6 W2.9/W2.9 wire mesh ($25–$40 for a 7×20 ft sheet).
- Forms — 2×4 lumber for slab forms costs $35–$65 for a 12×10 footprint. Reusable, so amortize over multiple projects.
- Expansion joint material — fiberboard strips at slab edges and at every 10–15 ft expansion line. About $5–10 per slab.
- Curing compound or wet curing — concrete needs to cure slowly. A spray-on curing compound is $15–$25 per gallon; or just hose it 2–3× a day for a week.
- Finishing tools — bull float ($35), edger ($15), groover ($15), darby ($25). About $90–$130 first-time set; reusable.
What to budget if hiring a contractor
- Patio slab (4 inches, 100–200 sq ft): $6–$12 per sq ft turnkey including base prep, forms, concrete, finish. So $600–$2,400 for a typical patio.
- Driveway (4–6 inches, 600+ sq ft): $8–$15 per sq ft turnkey. $5,000–$10,000+ for a typical 2-car driveway.
- Decorative finishes — stamped concrete adds $5–10 per sq ft; integral color adds $1–3; broom finish is no extra.
- Removal of old concrete — $1.50–$5 per sq ft of demolition + disposal.
Common questions
Is "high-strength" or "fast-setting" concrete worth the premium?
For most residential pours, no — standard 3,000–4,000 PSI mix from a truck or 4,000 PSI bagged is plenty. Fast-setting (sets in ~30 min) is great for fence posts where you don't want to wait, but it's twice the price per cubic foot. Use it where the time savings matter; standard everywhere else.
Why is rural concrete more expensive?
Truck routes — concrete has a shelf life of about 90 minutes from batch plant to pour. If your site is 45+ minutes from the plant, the yard charges a delivery surcharge to cover the round-trip and the risk that the load can't be fully discharged in time. Always ask about the surcharge before scheduling.
Can I use concrete bags from different stores together?
Yes, but stick to the same product line. Quikrete and Sakrete have slightly different sand/cement ratios — fine to mix in one project but you'll see a faint color/texture line at the boundary if poured in stages.
How much waste should I order?
10% is the standard. Forms are never perfect; some slabs are slightly thicker at one edge than the other. Ready-mix yards round up to the next quarter-yard anyway, so the practical waste factor is automatically built in. For bag projects, buy 2 extra bags above your calculated count for any slab over 1 cu yd.
Size your order with the concrete calculator first. For the gravel base under the slab, use the gravel calculator.