How Many Cubic Yards of Dirt Fit in a Dump Truck?
Do you know the answer?
When ordering fill dirt or removing excavated soil, you may receive estimates in cubic yards, tons or truckloads. These measurements are related, but they are not interchangeable.
The amount a dump truck can legally carry depends on the truck, the material and its moisture content.
How Much Dirt Does a Dump Truck Hold?
A standard dump truck commonly carries approximately 10 to 12 cubic yards of dirt. Larger tri-axle trucks and dump trailers may carry more, but heavy material can cause a truck to reach its legal weight limit before the bed is completely full.
| Truck Type | Approximate Capacity |
|---|---|
| Smaller dump truck | 5–8 cubic yards |
| Standard dump truck | 10–12 cubic yards |
| Tri-axle dump truck | 15–20 cubic yards |
| Large dump trailer | 20–25 cubic yards |
These are general estimates. Actual capacity depends on the truck’s rated payload, axle configuration and applicable weight limits.
What Is a Cubic Yard?
A cubic yard measures volume. One cubic yard is a space measuring 3 feet long by 3 feet wide by 3 feet deep. That equals 27 cubic feet.
To estimate the cubic yards needed for an area:
All measurements must be in feet. For example, an area measuring 30 feet long, 10 feet wide and 6 inches deep would require:
This is the estimated volume before accounting for compaction, waste or uneven ground.
How Do You Convert Cubic Yards to Tons?
Cubic yards measure volume, while tons measure weight. There is no single conversion that works for every material.
| Material | Approximate Weight per Cubic Yard |
|---|---|
| Dry, loose soil | 1.0–1.3 tons |
| Wet or compacted soil | 1.3–1.7 tons |
| Fill sand | 1.2–1.5 tons |
| Gravel or crushed stone | 1.4–1.7 tons |
| Topsoil | 0.8–1.2 tons |
For example, 10 cubic yards of material weighing approximately 1.3 tons per cubic yard would weigh about 13 tons.
Why Does Moisture Matter?
Wet dirt weighs considerably more than dry dirt. A truck that can carry 12 cubic yards of dry soil may carry fewer cubic yards of wet material before reaching its legal weight limit.
Rock, clay and saturated soil are also heavier than loose sand or dry topsoil. This is why contractors cannot always fill a truck bed completely.
Why Does Excavated Dirt Take Up More Space?
Dirt expands when it is removed from the ground. Undisturbed soil is packed tightly, but excavation breaks it apart and creates additional air space between the particles.
This increase is called swell. As a result, excavating 100 cubic yards of soil from the ground may produce more than 100 cubic yards of loose material for hauling.
The amount of swell depends on the soil, moisture and excavation method. It should be considered when estimating truckloads.
How Are Dirt and Aggregate Deliveries Measured?
Materials may be sold and transported in several ways:
- By cubic yard: Common for fill dirt, topsoil and mulch
- By ton: Common for limestone, gravel, crushed concrete and asphalt millings
- By truckload: Used when the truck capacity and material are clearly defined
- By hourly hauling rate: Sometimes used when loading, travel or unloading times are uncertain
Aggregate suppliers commonly weigh loaded trucks and provide scale tickets showing the actual tonnage. Dirt loads may be estimated using the truck’s measured bed capacity.
Always confirm whether a quote is based on cubic yards, tons or complete truckloads.
How Many Truckloads Will You Need?
To estimate the number of truckloads:
If a project requires 60 cubic yards and each truck carries 12 cubic yards:
This is only a starting estimate. Weight restrictions, wet material, soil swell and incomplete loads can increase the number of trips.
What Affects Dirt Hauling Costs?
The cost of hauling or delivering material may include:
- Material quantity
- Number of truckloads
- Type and weight of material
- Loading equipment
- Travel distance
- Fuel and trucking time
- Site access and ground conditions
- Disposal or tipping fees
- Required permits or approved disposal locations
A nearby material source or disposal location can significantly reduce trucking costs. Difficult access, long wait times or saturated soil can increase them.
Measure the Material, Not Just the Truck
A “truckload” is not a universal measurement. Before comparing prices, confirm the truck size, estimated cubic yards, material type and whether the load will be measured by volume or weight.
AllJax coordinates material delivery, dirt hauling, excavation and grading throughout the Tampa Bay area and surrounding Florida counties. Visit alljaxinc.com to view completed projects or discuss the material requirements for your property.
