Fill Dirt in New Orleans, LA

Local prices vary, but fill-dirt in the New Orleans area typically runs about $8–$30 per cubic yard for the material. Delivered truckloads (tri-axle, roughly 10–12 cubic yards) commonly total between $150 and $600 depending on material quality, distance, and site access. Hello Gravel shows exact delivered pricing for your zip code at checkout and the company has a 3-ton minimum order.

Most local suppliers price fill-dirt by the cubic yard or by the truckload (common for tri-axle loads). Some commercial or recycled materials may be priced by the ton, so always confirm which unit the quote uses since density and moisture content change the effective volume. When in doubt, ask the supplier to convert their price to cubic yards so you can compare quotes.

Yes. Because New Orleans has a high water table and soft, often clayey soils, compacting fill-dirt is important for driveways, patios, and finished grades to reduce settlement. Light compaction (plate compactor) for a small area can be rented $50–$150/day; contractor compaction for a driveway or large area typically runs several hundred to $1,200+ depending on area, depth, and equipment needed. Ask your contractor whether they provide compaction and whether moisture conditioning or lifts (layers) will be used.

One cubic yard is 27 cubic feet. At 2u0022 (0.1667 ft) it covers about 162 sq ft; at 4u0022 (0.3333 ft) about 81 sq ft; at 6u0022 (0.5 ft) about 54 sq ft. Use these numbers to estimate how many cubic yards you need for your project and add 5–15% for compaction and settling.

A standard pickup truck usually carries about 0.3–0.8 cubic yards depending on the bed size and legal load limits, so it will not reliably hold a full cubic yard. For most fill-dirt needs and to avoid multiple trips, a dump truck delivery is recommended. Hello Gravel arranges dump-truck delivery (tri-axle trucks are common) and can show available delivery options for your address.

Fill-dirt is often cheaper per cubic yard for simply raising grade, but it is not a good wearing surface for driveways because it holds water and can settle. For New Orleans' wet conditions and high water table, a gravel or crushed stone base gives better drainage and load-bearing for driveways, making gravel the more cost-effective choice long term despite a higher material cost. Many projects use fill-dirt to raise low spots and then a gravel base for the driveway surface.

Raising 1,000 sq ft by 2u0022 requires about 6.2 cubic yards, and by 4u0022 about 12.3 cubic yards. Using typical delivered fill-dirt pricing in New Orleans ($8–$30 per cubic yard) the material and delivery estimate would be roughly $50–$370 for 2u0022 and $100–$740 for 4u0022, not including labor for spreading or compaction. Spreading and compaction add cost; small contractor jobs or tailgate spreading can add a few hundred dollars depending on access and labor.

Common substitutes include recycled construction fill (clean fill), crusher-run or #57 stone (for structural base), sand, and screened topsoil. Recycled clean fill can be economical for bulk raising but may vary in composition; crusher-run or crushed stone is better where drainage and load-bearing are required. Topsoil is for turf and planting and is not a substitute for structural fill; always confirm suitability and contamination testing when using recycled materials in New Orleans.

Occasionally you can find free or discounted fill-dirt from local excavation projects, municipal giveaways, or online listings, but availability is unpredictable. Risks include unknown composition, contamination, excessive organic material that causes settling, and a lack of compaction control. If you consider free fill, inspect material, ask about its source, and plan for testing and compaction to avoid long-term problems.

A 20-foot by 45-foot driveway is 900 sq ft. To raise that area 6u0022 (common base lift) you need about 16.7 cubic yards of fill-dirt. At typical local delivered prices ($8–$30 per cubic yard) material and delivery would be roughly $135–$500, plus costs for compaction and any final gravel wearing surface. For a driveway you should budget extra for compaction, geotextile, and a gravel or crushed stone wearing layer so the driveway performs well in New Orleans' wet conditions.