How Much Does Dirt Hauling Cost?

Last Updated on August 29, 2024
Written by CPA Alec Pow | Content Reviewed by CFA Alexander Popinker

Whether it’s for a major construction project, landscaping job, or simple residential yard cleanup, having to properly transport and legally dispose of excess dirt, soil, and other earthen debris quickly becomes a costly yet mandatory site preparation expense.

Advanced planning and diligent contractor selection prevent unwanted budget surprises and ensures the safe, efficient removal of waste soil from properties to keep projects on timeline and minimize environmental impact.

While certainly not the most exciting or glamorous task, proper planning for dirt and debris hauling and removal is an obligatory yet smooth process when costs are reasonably estimated. Competitively pricing this essential service allows construction and landscaping jobs alike to advance without prohibitive transportation expenses derailing progress or timelines. As they say, routine progress relies on proper site cleanup and restoration.

How Much Does Dirt Hauling Cost?

On average, professional dirt hauling services cost approximately $50 to $200 per cubic yard, with precise pricing depending on numerous factors like haul distance, local disposal fees, sheer material quantities involved, and overall project complexity among other important variables.

Short Sub-20 Mile Hauls

• Small Partial Truckloads Under 12 Total Cubic Yards – $60 to $120 per CY
• Full Truckloads Exceeding 12 Total Cubic Yards – $40 to $90 per CY

Long 50+ Mile Hauls

• Small Partial Truckloads Under 12 Total Cubic Yards – $100 to $180 per CY
• Full Truckloads Exceeding 12 Total Cubic Yards – $75 to $140 per CY

Other Material Cost Ranges:

• Fill Dirt Transport – $25 to $60 per CY
• High-Quality Topsoil Transport – $60 to $100 per CY
• Contaminated Soil Disposal – $100 to $300 per CY

When feasible, scheduling bulk quantity hauls for when discounted pricing applies allows maximizing transportation budgets.

According to HomeGuide, the cost to remove dirt ranges from $171 to $208 per cubic yard as of April 2024. They note that these prices can vary significantly depending on site conditions and specific project requirements.

Homewyse offers a more detailed breakdown, stating that the basic cost to remove dirt is between $171 and $208 per cubic yard in April 2024. They emphasize that this is a starting point and actual costs can vary based on factors such as location, project size, and specific options chosen.

Reddit discussions on the r/landscaping subreddit provide some real-world examples. One user in Northern California reported being charged $220 per ton for dirt removal, which amounted to approximately $14,000 for 64 tons. However, other users suggested this price was high, with one mentioning they removed 60 yards of dirt for about $6,000 in the same region.

Dumpsters.com provides a range of costs for dirt removal. They report that junk removal companies typically charge between $140 and $180 per ton for dirt removal. The cost to remove fill dirt is estimated at $140 to $230 per cubic yard. For a full truckload, they suggest the cost could be approximately $1,400 to $2,300, plus additional labor fees.

Angi (formerly Angie’s List) offers information on delivery costs rather than removal. They state that most delivery trucks charge between $7 and $55 per cubic yard for hauling and delivering dirt, with prices varying based on truck size and distance traveled.

Factors That Determine Dirt Hauling Costs

Several major factors substantially influence final price points on bid estimates from contractors:

• Sheer Volume of Material Needing Transport Either in Cubic Yards or Tons– Unit pricing becomes more affordable on a per-yard basis for large aggregate quantities exceeding 50+ yards due to bulk discounts. But minimal quantities under 5 yards prove very expensive per unit.
• Ground Transportation Haul Distance to Final Waste Disposal Site– Prolonged over-the-road hauling over 50+ miles one way requires far more labor hours, fuel, and truck wear-and-tear costs that translate into steep per-mile surcharges. Short sub-20 miles hauls are most economical.
• Job Site Accessibility Constraints– Tight residential sites with limited access for loading equipment or dirt piles located far from driveway access points strain efficiency and drive up per-unit costs. Easy bulk loading capabilities are ideal.
• Underlying Material Type – General Soil, Contaminated Soil, Concrete Debris– Environmental disposal restrictions and special handling procedures for contaminated soils or hazardous debris result in substantially higher tipping fees and transportation rules.
• Highly Specific Timing or Urgent Delivery Constraints– Requiring immediate emergency hauling services on short notice instead of allowing flexible delivery scheduling typically increases rates notably due to allocation inefficiencies.
• Existing Local Landfill Fee Structures and Tip Policies– Disposal gate rates vary tremendously based on municipality, facility size, and public or private operation resulting in major fluctuations in end pricing.

DIY Hauling Costs

Typical DIY Hauling Expense Considerations:

• Full-Size Pickup Truck Rental – $75 to $200 Daily
• Roundtrip Fuel Costs – $50 to $300+ per Haul
• Landfill Gate Disposal Fees – $50 to $100+ per Cubic Yard
• Hidden Labor Costs – At Least $500 to $1,000+ per Day Value

You might also like our articles about the cost of a dump truck load of gravel, sand, or pool water delivery.

Potential Benefits of DIY Hauling:

• More Flexibility in Hauling Schedule and Pace Without Contractor Coordination
• Potential Cost Savings on Small Jobs Under 5 Total Cubic Yards

Limitations of DIY Hauling:

• Increased Time Burden and Physical Labor Compared to Turnkey Services
• Exposing Yourself to Permitting Requirements and Liability Risks
• Forfeiting Any Discounted Bulk Volume Landfill Fee Structures

Except on micro-scale projects, residential DIY junk hauling often proves more trouble than it’s worth compared to hiring dependable waste removal pros.

What Should You Ask Prospective Haulers?

• Are you fully licensed, bonded, and insured for local residential hauling conforming to all regulations?
• What itemized costs are included in your quoted job pricing? Any undisclosed fees?
• Can you provide recent references from comparable completed hauling projects?
• Do you offer incremental bulk cubic yard pricing discounts at certain volume tiers?
• What size trucks, equipment, and number of laborers will you dedicate to our job?
• How and when are dump fees billed – integrated upfront or separately upon completion?
• Will you handle securing any local hauling permits required by authorities?

Carefully qualifying haulers prevents selecting unqualified contractors with deficient equipment or insurance coverage that could lead to environmental violations or project liabilities.

Tips for Reducing Dirt Hauling Costs

• Thoroughly compare bids from at least 3-5 local hauling contractors of similar size.
• Repurpose and reuse any excavated soil, rock, or debris on-site whenever safely possible.
• Schedule projects strategically during slower winter seasons when demand is lower for better rates.
• Inquire about discounted bundled pricing if excavation and hauling are combined using the same provider.
• Explore backfilling certain materials on-site if permitted instead of mandatory offsite disposal.
• Consider compartmentalizing the project into smaller incremental hauls to capitalize on better per-yard bulk rates where applicable.

Remaining flexible and open to creative cost-reduction suggestions from haulers ultimately minimizes budget overages.

Final Words

When accurately quoted by reputable local waste hauling companies, typical per cubic yard dirt and debris removal costs often range from approximately $50 up to $200+ per CY based heavily on transportation distances and material quantities involved in each unique residential or commercial project.

While rarely an exciting budget line item, carefully planning soil disposal logistics with properly licensed hauling contractors minimizes unexpected cost escalations for construction initiatives of any scale.

Just be certain to thoroughly compare bid estimates and credentials to avoid the pitfalls of cheapest options that lack experience or insurance. Your caution initially prevents major headaches when problems arise.

Answers to Common Questions

How do you calculate dirt haul off?

First calculate the total cubic yards of dirt being removed based on the excavation area sizes and depths. Then factor in cost per cubic yard for hauling based on distance to dump site and bulk load discounts. Finally, add estimated dump fees at roughly $50 to $100+ per cubic yard. Multiple total cubic yards by cost per cubic yard for the total project price.

What is the cheapest way to remove dirt?

For smaller residential projects under 3 yards, consider hauling it yourself in an affordable trailer rental instead of paying steep minimum fees from hauling companies. Just be sure to research dump disposal fees first to include them in cost estimates.

How much does a load of top soil cost?

The typical cost for purchasing, transporting, and delivering a 10 cubic yard load of topsoil often ranges from $250 – $500, with per yard rates averaging $25-$50. Location and delivery distance impact per yard pricing. Include possible fuel surcharges for long hauls.