Calculate exactly how many bags of Quikrete or Sakrete to buy at Home Depot — with real 2026 pricing and built-in wastage.
Home Depot Concrete Bag Count Reference Table
Quick reference for common DIY project sizes — bag counts already include the 10% wastage buffer:
| Project Size (4-inch slab) | 80 lb Bags | 60 lb Bags | 2026 Cost (80lb) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4×4 ft patio (16 sq ft) | 10 bags | 14 bags | ~$68 |
| 8×8 ft pad (64 sq ft) | 40 bags | 53 bags | ~$272 |
| 10×10 ft patio (100 sq ft) | 62 bags | 83 bags | ~$420 |
| 10×20 ft shed pad (200 sq ft) | 123 bags | 165 bags | ~$835 |
| 12×20 ft driveway section | 148 bags | 197 bags | ~$1,003 |
Once you exceed 100 bags, the math shifts. A 12×20 ft driveway section in bags costs around $1,000 plus 4-5 trips with a pickup truck. The same pour delivered by a ready-mix truck costs $700-900 and arrives in 30 minutes ready to pour.
Home Depot vs Lowe's vs Local Supply — Where to Buy
Both big-box stores carry concrete, but selection and pricing differ:
- Home Depot: Stocks Quikrete as the primary brand. Best for general concrete mix, fast-setting Quikrete (for fence posts), and crack-resistant mix. Pro Desk handles bulk pallet orders with free delivery on $1,500+ orders.
- Lowe's: Stocks Sakrete primarily. Identical specs to Quikrete at slightly lower price points. Lowe's Pro program offers similar bulk delivery for contractors.
- Local concrete supply yard: 30-50% cheaper than big box for bulk orders. Often the only option for specialty mixes (5000 PSI, fiber-reinforced, white concrete). Required for ready-mix delivery.
- Tractor Supply / Menards (regional): Quikrete and Sakrete both available. Pricing competitive for the rural Midwest.
For projects under 30 bags, the price difference between stores is minimal — shop convenience. For projects over 50 bags, call a local concrete supply yard before you head to Home Depot. A bulk pallet (42 bags of 80lb Quikrete) typically saves $20-40 over individual bag prices at retail.
Bag Storage and Transport from the Home Depot Parking Lot
Concrete bags weigh real weight. Plan the trip home before you load up:
- Pickup truck payload: Most half-ton trucks (F-150, Silverado 1500) safely carry 25-30 bags of 80lb concrete. That is 2,000-2,400 lbs — exactly at payload limit before passengers and tools.
- SUV / sedan: Maximum 10-15 bags safely. Concrete bags WILL puncture and split if loaded into the cargo area of an SUV without plastic sheeting underneath. Use a trailer for anything over 15 bags.
- Home Depot truck rental: $19 for 75 minutes. Easily carries 60+ bags. The math favors rental over multiple trips in a sedan.
- Home Depot free delivery: Orders over $45 typically qualify for next-day truck delivery to your driveway. The $20-30 delivery fee beats your time on a 50-bag order.
Store bags off the ground on a pallet covered with a tarp. Concrete bags absorb moisture from the air and from concrete on the slab. A wet bag is a ruined bag — the powder partially hydrates and clumps before you ever open it.