Concrete planning
Concrete Bags vs Ready-Mix: When to Order a Truck
Bagged concrete makes sense up to about half a cubic yard, which is around 23 bags of 80 lb mix. Around one cubic yard, 45 bags weighing 3,600 pounds, ready-mix delivery is usually the more practical choice even when the bag price looks lower.
Open the concrete bag vs ready-mix calculatorHow many bags equal a truck order
An 80 lb bag yields about 0.6 cubic feet of concrete and a cubic yard is 27 cubic feet. The bag counts climb quickly.
| Volume | 80 lb bags | Weight to handle | Practical choice |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.25 cubic yard | 12 | 960 lb | Bags |
| 0.5 cubic yard | 23 | 1,840 lb | Bags, with a mixer |
| 1 cubic yard | 45 | 3,600 lb | Price both |
| 1.5 cubic yards | 68 | 5,440 lb | Ready-mix |
| 2 cubic yards | 90 | 7,200 lb | Ready-mix |
Cost is more than the bag price
Multiply the bag count by your local bag price, then add what bags really cost you: fuel and trips, a mixer rental for anything beyond a few bags, and several hours of heavy labor.
For ready-mix, ask for the price per cubic yard plus every fee. Suppliers commonly charge a short-load fee for small orders, a delivery charge by distance, and waiting time if the truck is on site too long. On a one yard order those fees can exceed the cost of the concrete.
The time problem
Concrete begins to stiffen within about an hour of mixing, faster in hot weather. With bags you mix one small batch at a time, so on a larger slab the first batches set before the last are placed. That creates cold joints and an uneven finish.
A truck places the whole pour at once, which is the main reason ready-mix wins on slabs even when the dollar difference is small.
Questions to ask a ready-mix supplier
Have your dimensions and site details ready before you call.
- What is the minimum order and the short-load fee?
- What mix strength do you recommend for this use?
- How close can the truck get, and how far does the chute reach?
- How long can the truck stay before waiting charges start?
- How much notice do you need to schedule or cancel for weather?
- One cubic yard equals 45 bags of 80 lb mix or 60 bags of 60 lb mix.
- Bags suit small pours. Around one yard, get a ready-mix quote.
- Ask about short-load and delivery fees before comparing prices.
Run the numbers
The Concrete Bag vs Ready-Mix Calculator applies this math to your own measurements and shows each step. Best for slabs, pads, footings, and post holes where depth matters.