Fill Dirt in Portland, IN

Delivery cost depends on your exact zip code, access, and the supplier used. Hello Gravel requires a 3-ton minimum and often offers free or low-cost delivery in many areas, but some locations have a fuel or distance surcharge or a next-day fee for expedited delivery. Enter your zip code on our site or contact sales at 855-241-8884 for an exact quote for Portland, IN.

A good rule of thumb is 1 cubic yard of fill-dirt weighs about 1.1 to 1.35 tons (loose vs dense). To convert: calculate cubic yards (area in sq ft x depth in feet ÷ 27), then multiply by 1.1 to 1.35 to estimate tons. For precise quoting use the denser figure if you plan to compact the material.

Fill-dirt alone is not a durable finished surface in clay and freeze-thaw zones. If you must use fill-dirt as subgrade, place and compact 8 to 12 inches of engineered fill, then add 4 to 6 inches of road base or crushed stone on top for a parking pad. Also consider a geotextile fabric beneath the fill and good drainage to reduce frost heave and settling.

Fill-dirt holds moisture, compacts, and tends to settle or rut in freeze-thaw and wet spring conditions, so it performs poorly as a wearing surface. Crushed stone or road base drains much better, resists frost heave, and provides a stable driving surface. Use fill-dirt for bulk elevation or backfill, and use crushed stone as the top structural layer.

Labor and equipment costs vary, but expect local contractors to charge roughly $50 to $100 per hour for machines and operator or a flat charge of $200 to $700 for small spreads and compaction jobs. Total cost depends on site access, landscape obstacles, and how much grading and compacting is required. Get written estimates from local contractors and ask whether compaction testing is included.

Yes — Hello Gravel connects you with trusted local suppliers and haulers serving Portland and the surrounding region. Our platform reflects local sourcing and most deliveries have a 3-ton minimum, though some quarries or long-haul suppliers may require 5 to 10 tons. Enter your zip code or contact us and we will provide supplier options and their minimums for your area.

Most residential deliveries onto private property do not require a permit, but you should check with City of Portland Public Works or Jay County if trucks will block a public street, require parking restrictions, or if the fill will go in a regulated wetland or floodplain. Overweight or oversized loads on certain local roads may need county or state permits. When in doubt, contact local authorities and tell your Hello Gravel rep so we can note access issues for the hauler.

If used as a surface, fill-dirt driveways typically need topping or regrading every 1 to 3 years and often show ruts or settling faster in wet springs. If fill-dirt is used only as compacted subgrade beneath proper stone, you can expect a longer service life of 5 to 10 years or more depending on traffic and drainage. Regular grading, added stone, and good drainage are the main maintenance steps to extend life.

A 12 x 50 ft area is 600 sq ft. At 3 inches (0.25 ft) that is about 5.56 cubic yards, at 4 inches about 7.41 cubic yards, and at 6 inches about 11.11 cubic yards. Using a fill-dirt conversion of 1.1 to 1.35 tons per cubic yard, you would need roughly: 3 in = 6.1 to 7.5 tons, 4 in = 8.2 to 10.0 tons, and 6 in = 12.2 to 15.0 tons; we recommend ordering 5-10% extra for compaction and waste.

Fill-dirt is generally the least expensive material per ton and per cubic yard, followed by road base, with crushed stone typically costing the most because of processing and quality. Typical regional retail ranges are roughly: fill-dirt $8 to $30 per ton, road base $20 to $40 per ton, and crushed stone $25 to $50 per ton, but prices fluctuate by local source, distance, and seasonal demand. For an accurate cost comparison for your Portland job, request a side-by-side quote through Hello Gravel.