How Many Yards in a Concrete Truck? Mixer Sizes

How many yards in a concrete truck depends on the truck, but the standard rear-discharge mixer seen on most job sites typically carries up to about 8 to 10 cubic yards. Some larger trucks are built for 11 or 12 yards where road weight limits allow, and plants also run smaller trucks for short loads. Knowing the range helps you plan how many trucks a pour needs and how to space them so the concrete arrives while you are ready for it.

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Common truck types

Truck type	Typical capacity	Notes
Standard rear-discharge mixer	about 8 to 10 cubic yards	Most common for driveways, slabs, and footings
Large or multi-axle mixer	up to about 11 to 12 yards	Depends on local weight laws and axle setup
Front-discharge mixer	about 8 to 11 yards	Driver controls the chute from the cab; common on commercial jobs
Small or mini mixer	about 1 to 4 yards	Used for small pours and tight sites
Volumetric mixer	varies, mixes on site	Carries dry materials and water; you pay for what is produced

A drum’s physical size is larger than the load it carries. Mixer drums need empty space to tumble the concrete, and the truck also has to stay under legal axle weights. Since a cubic yard of concrete weighs about 2 tons, a 10-yard load adds roughly 20 tons to the truck’s own weight.

How many trucks your pour needs

Divide the total cubic yards by about 9 or 10 to get a first estimate, then ask the plant how they will load your order. Examples:

20x20 slab at 4 inches: about 5 yards. One truck.
24x24 garage with a thickened edge: about 9.5 to 10 yards. Possibly one full truck, often two.
Long driveway, 12 by 80 feet at 5 inches: about 15 yards. Two trucks.

For more than one load, ask dispatch to stagger the trucks so the second arrives as the first is nearly empty. Concrete that waits too long in the drum starts to stiffen, and many plants put time limits on how long a load can stay on the truck before it is placed.

Minimums and short loads

Plants often set a minimum order, and anything below it carries a short-load charge. A small truck may be available for those orders, but it costs more per yard than a full truck. If you have several small pours, such as a pad and a set of steps, try to schedule them on the same day and the same order.

Getting the truck to the pour

A loaded mixer is heavy and long. Before delivery day:

Check access. The driver needs a firm, wide path. Soft lawns, septic areas, and narrow gates are common problems.
Protect pavement. A full mixer can crack thin slabs and soft asphalt. See a concrete truck on an asphalt driveway before letting it back up the drive.
Measure the chute reach. Rear chutes extend roughly 10 to 20 feet from the back of the truck. Beyond that, plan wheelbarrows, a buggy, or a pump.
Plan the washout. Drivers rinse the chute after unloading, and that water is caustic. Ask where they will wash out and keep it off lawns and storm drains.

Pay for the right amount

Order what you calculated plus a small cushion, usually 5 to 10 percent. Running short leaves you waiting for a second truck, often with a cold joint and another delivery fee. The concrete calculator gives cubic yards for slabs, footings, and columns so you can call in an accurate order.

Questions people ask

How many cubic yards does a full concrete truck hold?

A standard mixer truck usually carries up to about 8 to 10 cubic yards. Some larger trucks haul 11 to 12 yards where road limits allow.

What is the smallest concrete delivery I can order?

Many plants deliver as little as 1 yard, but small orders usually carry a short-load fee. Some use smaller trucks for these loads.

How much does a full concrete truck weigh?

A loaded standard mixer can weigh well over 30 tons. The concrete alone is about 2 tons per cubic yard.

How far can a concrete truck chute reach?

Rear chutes typically reach about 10 to 20 feet from the back of the truck. Longer distances need a pump, buggy, or wheelbarrows.

How long can concrete stay in the truck?

Many plants aim to have a load placed within about 90 minutes of batching, but limits vary. Plan the site so the truck can unload right away.

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