Fill Dirt in Arlington Heights, IL

Prices for fill dirt in Arlington Heights change with supplier, season, and truck availability, so we provide quotes per order rather than a fixed rate. Typical delivery is by tri-axle dump (about 10-12 cubic yards loose per load), and Hello Gravel’s site will show a price estimate and delivery fee for your zip code—use Get a Quote for an exact, up-to-date price.

To raise 1,000 sq ft by 4 inches you need about 12.35 cubic yards (1000 sq ft x 0.333 ft / 27). Order 10-20% extra for compaction and settling, so plan on roughly 13.5–15 cubic yards, which is roughly 1.2–1.5 tri-axle truckloads (tri-axles commonly carry about 10–12 cubic yards loose).

Fill dirt is generally less expensive per cubic yard than crushed stone, so it’s a common choice for bringing grade up or filling low spots. However, for a driveway base you should use compactible structural fill and then a layer of crushed stone or road base for proper drainage and compaction—fill dirt alone is not a good long-term surface for driveways in Arlington Heights’s clay-prone soils.

If the existing soil is stable, well-draining, and free of organic material, contractors can sometimes place gravel directly with proper geotextile and compaction. If the soil is soft, contains organics, or there are low spots (common in the Chicago suburbs), it’s better to bring up grades with clean fill and compact it before installing a gravel base to avoid future settling and drainage issues.

One cubic yard is a 3 ft x 3 ft x 3 ft cube and equals 27 cubic feet—visualize roughly the size of a small couch or a large washing machine. To avoid shortfalls, add 10%–20% to your calculated need for compaction and waste; for deeper fills or uneven areas, consider 20%+ extra and discuss exact needs with our sales team.

Costs vary by material choices, site access, and contractor rates, so use this as a rough example: a 20 ft x 10 ft driveway at 4 inches requires about 2.5–3 cubic yards of material; material and delivery for both fill and gravel plus compaction can range widely, so small jobs like this in the Chicago suburbs often fall in the low hundreds to a few thousand dollars depending on labor and material specs. For an accurate local estimate, get a quote with project dimensions and select whether you need compaction or spreading services.

Use cubic yards for planning: 1 cubic yard (27 cu ft) covers about 324 sq ft at 1 inch depth, 162 sq ft at 2 inches, 81 sq ft at 4 inches, and 54 sq ft at 6 inches. Tonnage varies with moisture and material density, so 1 ton of fill dirt can equal a different share of a cubic yard; we recommend ordering by cubic yards or asking our team to convert tons for your specific material.

Hello Gravel’s standard policy in the region is a minimum order of 3 tons and standard delivery in 2+ business days, with next-day delivery available for orders placed before noon CST for an additional fee. Delivery is often free in many zip codes but fees can apply for restricted-access sites, long-haul deliveries, or special requests; the checkout will show any delivery charges for your address.

For leveling under gravel in Arlington Heights, choose clean structural or select fill with low organic content that compacts well—avoid topsoil or mixes with high organic matter because they settle and rot over time. If you need a finished planting surface, buy topsoil for the final layer but use screened, compactible fill for subgrade work and then a crushed stone base for the gravel surface.

Arlington Heights may have ordinances about parking heavy trucks on residential streets, permit requirements for extended sidewalk or street blockage, and rules set by HOAs; narrow streets, low-hanging wires, and cul-de-sacs can also limit truck access. Before ordering, check with the Village Public Works or Building Department, note any access constraints in your delivery notes, and share photos of the site so drivers and suppliers can plan the safest drop-off.