Slab Calculator
Slab Results
| Application | Min Thickness | Recommended | PSI |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sidewalk / Walkway | 3" | 4" | 3000 |
| Backyard Patio | 3.5" | 4" | 3000–4000 |
| Residential Driveway | 4" | 5" | 4000 |
| Garage Floor | 4" | 5–6" | 4000 |
| Heavy Equipment Pad | 6" | 8" | 5000 |
Concrete Cost Breakdown by Project Type
| Project | Typical Size | DIY Material Cost | Pro Installed Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Patio (10×12) | 120 sq ft, 4" thick | $280–$450 | $960–$1,800 |
| Sidewalk (3×30) | 90 sq ft, 4" thick | $220–$330 | $540–$1,170 |
| Driveway single (10×30) | 300 sq ft, 4" thick | $650–$1,050 | $2,400–$4,500 |
| Driveway double (20×30) | 600 sq ft, 4" thick | $1,300–$2,100 | $4,800–$9,000 |
| Garage floor (22×22) | 484 sq ft, 4" thick | $1,100–$1,700 | $3,900–$7,250 |
| Pier footing (12" dia × 36" deep) | Per pier | $8–$15 | $60–$150 |
| Stamped patio (10×12) | 120 sq ft | $340–$540 | $1,440–$2,640 |
Prices reflect average 2026 US costs. Regional variation can be ±30% — labor in coastal cities runs higher, rural areas lower.
What Drives Concrete Cost
Standard 3,000 PSI concrete is the baseline. 4,000 PSI for driveways adds $5–$10/yard. 5,000 PSI for high-traffic or freeze-thaw zones adds $10–$15/yard. Specialty mixes (fiber-reinforced, fast-set, high-early-strength) add $15–$30/yard.
Ready-mix trucks hold 9–11 yards. Ordering less than ~3 yards triggers a "short-load fee" of $75–$200. For projects under 1.5 yards, bagged concrete is almost always cheaper than ready-mix delivery.
Wire mesh: $0.30–$0.50/sq ft. #3 rebar grid (12" spacing): $0.60–$1.00/sq ft. Fiber-reinforced concrete: $5–$8/yard upcharge. For driveways and garage floors, rebar or mesh is cheap insurance against cracking.
Excavation: $0.50–$2.50/sq ft depending on soil. 4" gravel base: $0.40–$0.80/sq ft material plus compaction. Forms (lumber + stakes): $0.20–$0.40/linear ft. Removal of old concrete adds $1–$3/sq ft to demolition.
Broom finish: included in base price. Smooth trowel: small upcharge. Stamped/decorative: $4–$10/sq ft over standard. Acid stain: $2–$4/sq ft. Sealer (yearly recommended): $0.20–$0.60/sq ft DIY.
Coastal/urban areas: ready-mix runs $150–$220/yard. Rural/midwest: $110–$160/yard. Cold-weather pours (below 40°F) require hot water mix or accelerator: $10–$20/yard surcharge.
Concrete Cost by Project Type — 2026 National Averages
| Project | Typical Size | Cost per Sq Ft | Total Installed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sidewalk (4") | 3×20 ft | $6–$12 | $360–$720 |
| Patio (4") | 12×16 ft | $7–$12 | $1,344–$2,304 |
| Driveway (4–5") | 20×30 ft | $8–$14 | $4,800–$8,400 |
| Garage floor (6") | 24×24 ft | $8–$16 | $4,608–$9,216 |
| Stamped patio | 12×16 ft | $12–$22 | $2,304–$4,224 |
| Basement floor (4") | 1,000 sq ft | $5–$10 | $5,000–$10,000 |
Ready-mix concrete itself costs $120–$180 per cubic yard delivered. Labor accounts for 40–60% of total installed cost. Getting 3 quotes from local contractors is always worthwhile — concrete pricing varies significantly by region and by how busy contractors are in your area.
How to Save Money on Concrete
Ready-mix prices vary 15-25% between suppliers in the same city. Always call at least two batch plants for competing quotes before ordering. Schedule your pour mid-week when plants are less busy and more likely to give favorable pricing and on-time delivery. Avoid Friday pours — if anything goes wrong you are waiting until Monday for help.
For bagged concrete, buy in one large quantity from a single trip. Many big-box stores offer a contractor discount card even for one-time large purchases — ask at the service desk. Buying 60 bags at once is significantly cheaper per bag than three separate trips of 20 bags each.
🚛 Truck Payload Reality Check
| 2026 Truck | Max Payload | Concrete Capacity | Bag Capacity (80lb) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toyota Tacoma (standard) | 1,521 lbs | ~0.38 cu yd | ~18 bags |
| Toyota Tacoma (i-FORCE MAX) | 1,705 lbs | ~0.42 cu yd | ~21 bags |
| Ford F-150 (PowerBoost Hybrid) | 1,740 lbs | ~0.43 cu yd | ~21 bags |
| Ford F-150 (5.0L V8) | 2,235 lbs | ~0.55 cu yd | ~27 bags |
| Ford F-150 (3.5L EcoBoost) | 2,440 lbs | ~0.61 cu yd | ~30 bags |
| 3/4-ton (F-250, Silverado 2500) | 3,500+ lbs | ~0.87 cu yd | ~43 bags |
*Payload values from 2026 manufacturer specs. Your actual payload is on the door-jamb sticker. Add accessories (toolbox, bedliner) and that number drops 100-300 lbs. A driver and passenger count against payload too.
If your project needs more than 1 cubic yard (4,000 lbs), pickup-truck delivery requires multiple trips. For 2+ cubic yards, ready-mix delivery is almost always cheaper than the gas, time, and suspension wear of multiple bag runs. Most ready-mix trucks deliver 8-10 yards in one trip.
Cost by Mix Strength (PSI)
The cost of ready-mix concrete varies by strength. Higher PSI uses more cement and costs more per cubic yard:
| Strength | Mix Ratio | Premium vs 3000 PSI | Use For |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2500 PSI | 1:2:4 | -5% | Footings, foundation walls |
| 3000 PSI (standard) | 1:2:3 | baseline | Driveways, slabs, sidewalks |
| 4000 PSI | 1:1.5:3 | +15-20% | Garage floors, RV pads |
| 5000 PSI | 1:1:2 | +30-40% | High-load applications |
Use our Mix Ratio Calculator for raw material quantities at any PSI.