Introduction: Understanding Concrete Truck Capacity

Ordering concrete for a construction project can feel like a high-stakes calculation. Get it right, and your pour goes smoothly. Get it wrong, and you’re facing costly delays, wasted material, and logistical headaches. That’s why understanding concrete truck capacity is one of the most critical steps in project planning. Whether you’re a seasoned contractor or a DIY homeowner pouring a patio, knowing the answer to “how many yards of concrete in a truck” is foundational.

The amount of concrete a truck can carry isn’t a single, universal number. It’s influenced by the truck’s design, the density of the concrete mix, and, most importantly, strict legal weight limits on public roads. A truck’s physical volume might allow for a certain amount, but weight regulations often dictate the actual load it can legally deliver. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll break down standard capacities, the factors that change them, and how to calculate exactly what you need for your project.

Standard Concrete Truck Capacity

The most common type of delivery vehicle is the ready-mix concrete truck, also known as a transit mixer. For these trucks, the industry standard capacity falls within a predictable range.

• Average Capacity: The most typical load for a standard ready-mix truck is 8 to 10 cubic yards.

• Minimum Load: Many suppliers have a minimum order requirement, often around 6 cubic yards, due to the high fixed costs of delivery and operation. For smaller needs, you may need to look into mini-trucks or pay a “short load” fee.

• Maximum Capacity: While some larger trucks can hold up to 12 cubic yards of concrete, they are less common. The limiting factor is rarely the drum size but the legal gross vehicle weight.

To visualize this, here’s a quick comparison:

Factors That Affect Truck Capacity

Why isn’t the capacity a fixed number? Several key factors prevent a truck from always being loaded to its maximum volumetric capacity.

1. Legal Weight Limits: This is the #1 constraint. In the United States, the federal bridge formula and state laws typically limit the gross vehicle weight (GVW) to 80,000 pounds on interstate highways. A fully loaded truck consists of the truck’s own weight (approx. 25,000-30,000 lbs) plus the weight of the concrete. Since one cubic yard of concrete weighs about 4,000 lbs, a 10-yard load adds 40,000 lbs, easily pushing the truck to its legal limit.

2. Concrete Density: The standard weight assumption is for a typical mix (like 3,000-4,000 PSI). However, heavier mixes with more dense aggregates or lighter mixes with perlite or vermiculite will change the weight-per-yard, thus affecting the legal number of yards a truck can carry.

3. Distance to the Site: For long hauls, suppliers might slightly underload a truck to ensure they remain compliant with weight regulations across different jurisdictions and to reduce wear and tear.

4. Truck Type and Axle Configuration: Trucks with additional axles can sometimes distribute weight more effectively and may be legally permitted to carry slightly heavier loads, but the 80,000-lb GVW is a firm ceiling for most.

Types of Concrete Trucks and Their Capacities

Not all concrete trucks are created equal. The type of truck your supplier uses will directly impact the delivery size and method.

• Transit Mixer (Standard Ready-Mix Truck): This is the iconic truck with a rotating drum on the back. The concrete is mixed at a central batching plant and agitated during transport to prevent setting. As discussed, their capacity is typically 8 to 10 cubic yards.

• Volumetric Mixer: These trucks carry separate compartments of sand, stone, cement, and water. They mix the concrete on-site, discharging it via a conveyor belt. The major advantage is flexibility; you can order the exact amount you need, from a small fraction of a yard to a full 8-12 yards (the total material capacity), and you can change the mix design on the fly.

• Mini-Mixers (Mobile Mixers): Smaller versions of transit mixers, these are designed for residential driveways, sidewalks, and other projects with limited access or smaller volume requirements. They typically carry 4 to 6 cubic yards.

• Industrial or “Block” Trucks: These are heavy-duty trucks used for large-scale industrial projects, capable of carrying 10-12+ yards. They often have a third axle to help manage the immense weight.

How to Calculate the Concrete You Need

Before you can know how many trucks to order, you must calculate the total volume of concrete required for your project. The formula is straightforward:

Length (ft) x Width (ft) x Depth (ft) ÷ 27 = Cubic Yards Needed

Since concrete is ordered in cubic yards, you must divide the total cubic feet by 27 (as there are 27 cubic feet in one cubic yard).

Practical Example: Pouring a Driveway
Let’s calculate the concrete needed for a driveway that is 30 feet long, 12 feet wide, and 0.33 feet (4 inches) deep.

1. Calculate Volume in Cubic Feet: 30 ft x 12 ft x 0.33 ft = 118.8 cubic feet.

2. Convert to Cubic Yards: 118.8 ÷ 27 = 4.4 cubic yards.

In this case, you would need to order 4.4 cubic yards of concrete. For a project this size, you’d need to find a supplier with a mini-mixer or be prepared for a short load fee on a standard truck.

To make this process foolproof, always use a concrete yard calculator. Many aggregate and concrete association websites offer free, reliable calculators to double-check your math.

How Many Trucks Do You Need?

Once you have your total cubic yardage, calculating the number of trucks is simple division.

Total Yards Required ÷ Truck Capacity = Number of Trucks Needed

Using our driveway example of 4.4 yards, if you only have access to standard trucks with a 10-yard minimum, you’d only need one truck, but you’d have significant leftover concrete (and would pay a short load fee). If a supplier offers a 5-yard mini-mixer, you could order one truck with a nearly perfect load.

Project Planning Tip: Always add a 5-10% waste factor to your total calculation to account for spillage, over-excavation, and slight variations in slab depth. For our 4.4-yard driveway, 10% would be 0.44 yards, bringing the total to ~4.8 yards.

Concrete Weight per Truck Load

Understanding the weight is crucial for appreciating why capacity is limited.

• Weight of Concrete: One cubic yard of concrete weighs approximately 4,000 pounds (2 tons). This can vary based on the mix design, but 4,000 lbs is a reliable industry average.

• Total Truck Weight: A standard truck carrying 8 yards of concrete is hauling 32,000 lbs of concrete alone. Add the truck’s tare weight (around 27,000 lbs), and the Gross Vehicle Weight is approximately 59,000 lbs. A full 10-yard truck is pushing 67,000 lbs, getting very close to the 80,000 lb legal limit. This is why you’ll almost never see a truck carrying more than 10-11 yards.

Cost Implications & Short Load Fees

Cost is directly tied to how efficiently you use a truck’s capacity.

• Cost per Cubic Yard: The base price of concrete varies by region but often falls between $120 and $200 per cubic yard.

• Short Load Fee: If you order less than the truck’s minimum capacity (often 4-6 yards), suppliers will charge a “short load” or “small load” fee. This can be a flat fee ($100-$200) or a premium per yard. This fee compensates them for the fixed costs of delivery.

• Full vs. Partial Load: It is almost always more cost-effective to order a full truckload. If your project requires 7 yards, it’s often cheaper to pay for the full 8-yard minimum than to pay for 7 yards plus a hefty short load fee. Plan your project phases to use a full truck if possible.

International Conversions (Yards to Cubic Meters)

For our international readers or those working on projects with metric specifications, the conversion is simple.

• 1 cubic yard = 0.764555 cubic meters

• To convert yards to cubic meters, multiply the number of yards by 0.765.

Example: A standard 8-yard truck load is equivalent to 8 x 0.765 = 6.12 cubic meters. In the UK, EU, and Australia, you will hear concrete ordered in cubic meters, with standard truck capacities being roughly 6 to 8 m³.

Common Mistakes When Ordering Concrete

Avoid these common pitfalls to ensure a successful pour:

1. Underestimating Quantity: The most common error. Always double-check your calculations and include a waste factor.

2. Ignoring Site Access: Ensure the truck can get to the pour site. Check for overhead obstacles, narrow roads, and weak ground that could cause the truck to get stuck.

3. Forgetting Labor and Tools: Have enough help on-site and all necessary tools (rakes, shovels, screeds, floats) ready before the truck arrives. Time is money once the concrete is discharged.

4. Ordering the Wrong Truck Type: Trying to get a standard truck into a tight backyard is a recipe for disaster. Discuss access with your supplier.

“Before You Order” Checklist:

• Finalized volume calculation (+10% waste)

• Site access confirmed for truck size

• Labor and tools arranged

• Weather forecast checked

• Supplier confirmed load size, price, and delivery time

Real-World Example or Case Study

Project: Garage Foundation Slab

• Specifications: 24 ft x 24 ft slab with a 6-inch (0.5 ft) thick foundation.

• Calculation:

  • Volume (ft³): 24 x 24 x 0.5 = 288 cubic feet

  • Volume (yd³): 288 ÷ 27 = 10.66 cubic yards

  • Volume with 8% Waste: 10.66 x 1.08 = 11.5 cubic yards

Truck Ordering Strategy:
This is a perfect scenario for a single, large-capacity truck carrying 11.5 yards, if available. More likely, the project manager would order one full 10-yard truck and a second truck with 1.5 yards. The second load would incur a short load fee, but it’s the most practical way to complete the pour without significant delay.

You can also free tools

• Blooket Calculator
• 1/4 Mile Calculator 
• Tarot Combination Calculator

FAQs Section

Q: How many yards fit in a concrete truck?
A: A standard ready-mix concrete truck typically holds 8 to 10 cubic yards of concrete.

Q: Can a concrete truck carry more than 10 yards?
A: It’s rare. While some trucks have drums that can physically hold up to 12 yards, federal and state weight laws typically restrict loads to 10 yards or less to stay under the 80,000-pound gross vehicle weight limit.

Q: How many trucks do I need for a 20×30 slab?
A: For a 20×30 slab that is 4 inches thick:

• Volume = 20 x 30 x (0.33) = 198 ft³

• Yards = 198 / 27 = 7.33 cubic yards (about 8 yards with waste).
  You would need one standard 8-yard truck.

Q: Can I request a half load?
A: Yes, but you will almost certainly pay a “short load” fee. It’s best to ask your supplier about their minimum delivery requirement and the associated costs for smaller loads.

External Authority References

For more detailed information on concrete specifications and best practices, consult these authoritative sources:

• American Concrete Institute (ACI)

• National Ready Mixed Concrete Association (NRMCA)

• Concrete Construction Magazine

Conclusion & CTA

Knowing the answer to “how many yards of concrete in a truck” is more than just a number—it’s the key to efficient budgeting, smooth project logistics, and a successful concrete pour. Remember, the standard is 8-10 cubic yards, but always confirm with your local supplier, as their fleet and policies will determine your final order.

Don’t leave your project to chance. Use our concrete calculator tool or consult with a professional estimator to ensure you order the perfect amount of concrete for your next job. A few minutes of planning can save you time, money, and concrete.