How Many Yards of Concrete Are in a Truck?
A standard concrete mixer truck holds about 10 cubic yards when fully loaded, though most carry between 8 and 11 yards depending on the truck and local weight limits. That full load is what suppliers call a truckload, and it is the amount you want to be near if you care about getting the best price per yard.
Why a truck rarely runs completely full
A fully loaded mixer is heavy. Ten yards of concrete weighs around 40,000 pounds, and once you add the truck itself the whole rig pushes past 66,000 pounds. Road weight limits, steep sites, and long drives all lead suppliers to load a little under the maximum. So while the drum can technically hold more, 10 yards is the practical full load for most residential deliveries.
Truck types and capacity
| Truck type | Typical capacity | Common use |
|---|---|---|
| Standard rear-discharge mixer | 8 to 11 yards | Most residential and commercial pours |
| Front-discharge mixer | 10 to 12 yards | Larger commercial jobs, better placement control |
| Mini or "short-load" mixer | 1 to 4 yards | Small jobs, tight access, metered on-site mixing |
If your project is small and access is tight, ask whether a supplier runs a mini-mix or volumetric truck. These mix concrete on site and let you buy only what you use, which sidesteps some of the small-order penalties.
Short-load fees and partial trucks
You do not have to buy a full 10 yards. Suppliers deliver partial loads all the time. The catch is the short-load fee. Order under the truck minimum (often around 10 yards, sometimes less) and you pay a surcharge, usually $40 to $60 per yard below the minimum. On a 3-yard pour, that fee can add well over a hundred dollars.
The lesson is not to avoid partial loads, since most home projects are partial loads. It is to plan so you are not ordering an awkward amount. Combining two small pours into one delivery, or nudging a project up to a rounder number, can save the fee.
How many trucks will your job need?
Divide your total yards by about 10 to get the truck count. A typical driveway or patio fits in a single truck with room to spare. You only get into multiple trucks on large slabs, foundations, or commercial work.
| Project | Yards needed | Trucks |
|---|---|---|
| Two-car driveway | ~5 | 1 (partial) |
| Garage floor | ~7 | 1 (partial) |
| Full house foundation | 20 to 40 | 2 to 4 |
To know exactly how many yards you are ordering, measure your pour and run it through the concrete calculator first. Then you can tell the supplier a firm number and know whether you are looking at one truck or several.
Frequently asked questions
How many yards does a concrete truck hold?
About 10 cubic yards fully loaded, with most trucks carrying 8 to 11 yards.
How much does a full truck of concrete cost?
At roughly $155 per yard, a full 10-yard truck is around $1,550 for the concrete, plus delivery and fuel charges.
Can I order less than a full truck?
Yes. Partial loads are normal, but ordering under the truck minimum adds a short-load fee of about $40 to $60 per yard below the minimum.
How much does a yard of concrete in a truck weigh?
Around 4,000 pounds per cubic yard, so a 10-yard load is roughly 40,000 pounds of concrete alone.