Bagged vs Ready-Mix Concrete: Break-Even Calculator
Bags win on small jobs and trucks win on big ones. Where the switch happens depends on your local prices, especially the short-load fee many plants charge on small orders. Enter local quotes to find your number.
Example with sample prices
Sample inputs: $6.50 per 80 lb bag, $165/yd ready-mix, $75 delivery, $150 short-load fee under 4 yd, and a 1 yd minimum charge. These are illustrations only. Prices vary a lot by region, so get real quotes.
| Cu yd | 80 lb bags | Bagged | Ready-mix | Cheaper |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.5 | 23 | $150 | $390 | Bagged |
| 1 | 45 | $293 | $390 | Bagged |
| 1.5 | 68 | $442 | $473 | Bagged |
| 2 | 90 | $585 | $555 | Ready-mix |
| 3 | 135 | $878 | $720 | Ready-mix |
| 4 | 180 | $1,170 | $735 | Ready-mix |
| 5 | 225 | $1,463 | $900 | Ready-mix |
Costs that don't show on a receipt
- Labor and time: 45 bags per yard means about 3,600 lb lifted twice, plus mixing. One person can realistically mix and place 1–1½ yd in a day.
- Cold joints: if you mix slowly, the first batch starts setting before the last is placed. Big slabs need to be poured in one continuous placement.
- Access: trucks need firm ground within chute reach (roughly 15–20 ft), or you'll pay for a pump or need wheelbarrows.
- Middle ground: some yards rent tow-behind mixer trailers that carry ½–1 yd.
Frequently asked questions
At what point is ready-mix cheaper than bags?
With typical prices, often around 1½ to 2½ cubic yards once short-load fees are included. Above about 4 yd the truck is almost always cheaper.
What is a short-load fee?
A surcharge ready-mix plants add when an order is under their minimum, often 3–5 yd. It can make small truck orders expensive.
How many bags of concrete equal a yard?
45 × 80 lb bags, 60 × 60 lb bags, or 90 × 40 lb bags (Quikrete published yields).
Last reviewed October 2026 by Jim Frith. These are planning estimates; confirm quantities with your supplier and follow local codes.