Quick Answer

Fill Dirt Is Often the Cheapest Bulk Material

Basic fill dirt can be free to \/yd3. Clean structural fill costs \€“\/yd3. The main cost is usually delivery — \€“\ per truckload.

Fill Dirt Price Table (2025)

Fill Dirt TypePer Cubic YardPer TonBest For
Basic fill (unscreened)Free – \\€“\Filling holes, raising grade
Clean fill dirt\€“\\€“\Structural fills, building pads
Compacted structural fill\€“\\€“\Under driveways, footings
Sandy fill (well-draining)\€“\\€“\Areas needing drainage
Clay fill\€“\\€“\Pond/dam construction, barriers

Cost Per Dump Truck Load

FILL DIRT COST PER DUMP TRUCK LOAD (MATERIAL + DELIVERY) \€“\ Small Load (5 yd3) Single-axle truck \€“\ Standard Load (10 yd3) Tandem truck \€“\ Large Load (14 yd3) Tri-axle truck
  • Material cost is often low — even free for basic fill
  • Delivery is the main cost: \€“\ minimum for a truck regardless of load size
  • Order at least 8–10 yards to make delivery economical

How to Find Free Fill Dirt

  • 🏗️ Construction sites: Excavation contractors often give away clean fill for free — just haul it yourself
  • 📋 Craigslist / Facebook Marketplace: Search "free fill dirt" in your area
  • 🌐 DirtMatchup.com / iDirtTrade.com: Platforms matching excavators with people needing fill
  • 📞 Local landscapers: May deliver leftover fill for a minimal haul fee
  • ⚠️ Always test free fill for soil quality — avoid fill from brownfields or unknown sources

Calculate How Much Fill Dirt You Need

Enter dimensions for exact cubic yards and truckload count.

Open Fill Dirt Calculator →

FAQ

How much does a dump truck of fill dirt cost?

A standard 10-yard tandem load of fill dirt costs \€“\ total, including material and delivery. Material alone: \€“\. Delivery: \€“\.

How many yards of fill dirt in a dump truck?

  • Single-axle truck: 5–7 cubic yards
  • Tandem truck: 10–12 cubic yards
  • Tri-axle truck: 13–16 cubic yards

Fill dirt vs topsoil — which do I need?

Use fill dirt to raise grade, fill holes, or build up elevation. Use topsoil for the top 4–6 inches where plants will grow. Fill dirt cannot support plant growth — it has no organic matter.