Fill Dirt in Medford, OR

Local delivered prices for fill-dirt in Medford typically range rather than a single fixed rate; expect roughly $12 to $25 per cubic yard (about $15 to $30 per ton) depending on moisture, haul distance, and supplier. Prices fluctuate with local demand and trucking costs, so use Hello Gravel to get a zip-code-specific quote before you order.

Hello Gravel connects you to trusted local suppliers and haulers serving Medford and Jackson County; many suppliers will deliver in tri-axle trucks for larger jobs. Hello Gravel has a 3-ton minimum order, but local suppliers may require a full truckload (roughly 10 to 12 cubic yards) for standard tri-axle deliveries; smaller loads may be available for an extra fee.

Use 1 cubic yard = 27 cubic feet to convert volumes; for 100 sq ft: 2 inches = about 0.62 cubic yards (≈0.8 tons), 4 inches = about 1.23 cubic yards (≈1.6 tons), 6 inches = about 1.85 cubic yards (≈2.4 tons). Those ton estimates use a typical fill-dirt weight of about 1.3 tons per cubic yard, so order 5-10% extra to allow for compaction and settling.

Fill-dirt can be used in Medford for raising grade and general landscape fill, but it often contains fines and organic matter that do not drain well in wet winters and can be affected by freeze-thaw cycles. For areas exposed to winter rains or frost heave, select clean, compactable fill or an engineered granular fill and pay careful attention to drainage to reduce future movement.

Permits may be required for significant grading, changing surface drainage, work in the public right-of-way, or when filling affects stormwater flow or neighboring properties. Check with the City of Medford Planning Division or Jackson County Building Department for specific thresholds and driveway approach permits before you start the work.

For driveways and heavy-load areas, use a well-graded road base or crushed rock engineered for compaction rather than plain fill-dirt; these give strength and stability. For building pad backfill, use clean, compactable granular fill placed and compacted in lifts, and for drainage zones choose free-draining crushed rock or drain rock rather than fine fill-dirt.

Fill-dirt with fines can compact to a reasonable density when placed in thin lifts and mechanically compacted, but it is not the best choice for heavy-traffic driveways. For driveways carrying cars and trucks, install a compacted road-base layer (typically 6 to 8 inches) under a wearing surface of crushed rock or asphalt for long-term performance.

Common alternatives include crushed rock, road base, crusher fines, and sand. Road base and crushed rock offer better load-bearing and drainage for driveways and pads but cost more than plain fill-dirt; crusher fines are good for low-cost, compacted walking surfaces, while sand drains quickly but does not compact well for structural fills.

Areas finished with only fill-dirt will likely settle and develop low spots; plan to regrade and top-dress every few years and check drainage after heavy winter rains. If you need a lasting driveway, cover the fill with compacted road base and a wearing surface to reduce maintenance frequency and extend lifespan.

Typical delivery trucks are tri-axle dump trucks carrying about 10 to 12 cubic yards per load; smaller straight trucks or dumpers can deliver partial loads for smaller jobs. Hello Gravel lists a 3-ton minimum order; delivery is free in many areas but fees may apply for very small orders, long hauls, or next-day service, so check your quote for specifics.

Locate underground utilities before placing material, allow for 5-10% extra to cover compaction and waste, and add clear drop-location instructions in your order notes so the driver can safely place material. If the work is structural or near foundations, ask for engineered fill recommendations and request photos of the material before delivery when possible.

Quick checks include looking for large amounts of organic matter, roots, or trash and checking moisture content; good fill-dirt should be free of large debris and not overly wet or mucky. If you need a lab test or verification for structural work, ask the supplier for gradation and test reports or have a local soils engineer perform a spot check.