Fill Dirt in North St. Paul, MN

Prices fluctuate with supplier, haul distance, and load size, so check Hello Gravel for live local quotes. As a general guideline in the Minneapolis–St. Paul area, delivered fill-dirt often falls roughly in the range of $15 to $40 per ton (about $20 to $55 per cubic yard), depending on source and whether delivery fees apply. Exact pricing will appear at checkout when you enter your zip code and desired quantity.

Yes, plain fill-dirt is usually cheaper than crushed gravel per ton because it is less processed and often sourced locally. However, fill-dirt is intended for raising grade or filling holes, not for a driveway surface—driveways require a crushed-stone base and wearing course to resist traffic and Minnesota freeze-thaw conditions.

Calculate volume in cubic yards: multiply length x width x depth (in feet) and divide by 27. For a 20 ft x 30 ft area raised 6 inches (0.5 ft): 20 x 30 x 0.5 = 300 cubic feet, or about 11.1 cubic yards. For weight use a local estimate of about 1.2–1.4 tons per cubic yard (we use 1.3 tons/yd3 for planning), so that example is roughly 11.1 cy or about 14 to 15 tons.

Small residential deliveries for minor grading usually do not require a permit, but rules vary and projects that change drainage, affect wetlands, or alter lot topography significantly often trigger permits. Before large deliveries, check with the City of North St. Paul public works or planning department and Ramsey County environmental services; if you like, Hello Gravel can help you identify when a permit review is likely.

Yes, fill-dirt should be placed in thin lifts and compacted to avoid future settlement—this is especially important in Minnesota where freeze-thaw and frost heave can create movement. For driveways and patios, use properly compacted fill under a granular base; contractors typically compact each lift with a plate compactor or roller to meet local building requirements.

Putting wearing gravel directly over uncompacted existing soil is not recommended in the Twin Cities because it will settle and reflect frost heave. Best practice is to remove organics/topsoil where the driveway will be, add engineered fill or well-graded crushed stone compacted in lifts, and finish with a proper surface course of crushed stone to promote drainage and stability.

'Poor man's concrete' typically refers to a sand and gravel mix compacted to form a hard surface; it can work for temporary paths or low-use patios but is not an acceptable structural substitute for true concrete or engineered pavement in Minnesota. Due to freeze-thaw cycles it will shift and erode under load, so for load-bearing or long-term surfaces use concrete, asphalt, or a properly constructed crushed stone base with geotextile and compaction.

To limit frost heave, avoid organic topsoil and use clean, granular material such as sand or well-graded crushed stone as structural fill below frost depth. A compacted crushed-stone base (open-graded or 3/4u0022 minus as appropriate) with good drainage is the preferred approach in the Minneapolis–St. Paul climate; you can also add a geotextile fabric where soils are poor.

Fees vary by supplier, distance, and job complexity; Hello Gravel displays delivery fees at checkout for your zip code and order size. Optional services like tailgate spreading are offered at drivers' discretion and may incur an extra fee, while full spreading or compaction by a contractor will be quoted separately—contact local landscapers for firm installation or compaction pricing.

Hello Gravel's platform shows local suppliers and current minimums by location; many dump truck suppliers have minimums (Hello Gravel's general minimum is 3 tons), while landscape yards sometimes sell bagged soil or small loads. For under-a-yard needs look for landscape supply yards, bagged products at big-box stores, or local landscapers who can sell and install small quantities, but expect a higher per-unit price for very small deliveries.