Fill-dirt in Cortez, CO

Fill-dirt usually costs less per ton or cubic yard than gravel because it is less processed, and in Cortez (pop. 12,570) local suppliers often source it nearby. Delivery costs depend on distance from the pit and truck type; because Hello Gravel requires a 3-ton minimum and uses tri-axle trucks, per‑load delivery fees are similar for both materials. For installation, fill-dirt may still cost less if you only need loose grade material, but costs rise if compaction or excavation is required.

Fill-dirt is fine, mostly soil material used for grading and backfill, while gravel is crushed rock used for drainage and wearing surfaces like driveways. In West Colorado and around Cortez, use fill-dirt for raising grade, filling holes, or backfilling foundations; use gravel for a durable driveway surface, drainage trenches, and areas that need load-bearing capacity. If you plan to build a driveway, you should use gravel (and a compacted base) rather than leaving fill-dirt at the surface.

Prices vary by supplier, season, and distance, but delivered fill-dirt to Cortez commonly runs about $10 to $30 per ton or roughly $20 to $60 per cubic yard as a general range. Convert using roughly 1.2 to 1.5 tons per loose cubic yard for most fill-dirt mixes to compare units. For an exact delivered price, enter your zip code on our site or request a quote—Hello Gravel will show local supplier pricing.

For a 1,000 sq ft area, a common grading depth is 3 to 4 inches, which equals about 10 to 12.5 cubic yards of fill-dirt. At a delivered cost of $20 to $60 per cubic yard, expect material and delivery to run roughly $200 to $750, not including compaction or additional onsite labor. Plan for settlement and possible extra material—order 5% to 10% extra if you need accurate finished grade.

If you need fill-dirt as a nonbearing leveling lift under a driveway 20 ft long and, say, 10 ft wide at 6 inches deep, that is about 4.5 cubic yards of material. Using the delivered price range of $20 to $60 per cubic yard, expect $90 to $270 for materials and delivery, but note fill-dirt alone is not a recommended wearing surface. For a durable driveway you would add structural gravel and compaction—those materials and contractor work add to total cost.

You can place fill-dirt over native Cortez soils, but proper base prep is usually required for stable results: remove organic material, re-grade, and compact in lifts to reduce settlement. In arid West Colorado soils, moisture content and native compaction affect how much consolidation you’ll see, so compacting each lift with appropriate equipment is recommended for building pads or supporting driveways. If you’re unsure, have a contractor evaluate the site—Hello Gravel can connect you with local pros.

Most tri-axle dump trucks used in our network carry about 10 to 12 loose cubic yards of fill-dirt, though smaller trucks may carry less. Truckload delivery costs depend on distance and supplier, but local Cortez deliveries often range from about $200 to $600 per truckload for fill-dirt; exact pricing appears at checkout after you enter your delivery zip code. If you need multiple truckloads, ask about bulk pricing or volume discounts when you request a quote.

Yes—many local suppliers offer better per-ton or per-yard pricing for larger orders and may have minimums tied to truck capacity; Hello Gravel’s minimum order is 3 tons. In rural areas around Cortez, ordering a full truckload often lowers the per-unit price because suppliers prefer full loads for haul efficiency. When you request a quote on our site, we show pricing by supplier and any volume discounts or minimums that apply.

Tailgate spreading may be available at the driver’s discretion—request it at checkout—but Hello Gravel does not guarantee spreading services, and feasibility depends on access, slope, and safety. Contractors commonly offer spreading and compaction services; typical extra fees for spreading by a driver or local hauler are often $50 to $200 per truckload, and contractor labor and compaction equipment add additional cost. For projects that require controlled compaction (foundations, driveway bases), hire a contractor to spread and compact in lifts for reliable results.

Because Hello Gravel sources materials regionally, fill-dirt delivered to Cortez reflects local geology—expect variations in color, sand/silt content, and small rock content compared with photos or other areas. Seasonal factors like winter freeze, spring runoff, and dry summer conditions can affect pit operations, trucking schedules, and moisture content of fill-dirt, which influences compaction behavior. If you have color or composition preferences, add them to Order Notes and we’ll pass them to suppliers, but exact matches are not guaranteed.