Fill Dirt in Dekalb County, TN

Prices vary with supplier, distance, and material quality, but in Dekalb County you can expect delivered fill-dirt to fall in a broad range. Typical delivered costs often run from about $10 to $35 per ton (or roughly $100 to $600+ for a full tri-axle load), with final price depending on haul distance, moisture content, and any tipping or access fees. Get an exact quote through our checkout or by contacting the Hello Gravel team for your zip code. Remember Hello Gravel has a 3-ton minimum on orders.

A typical tri-axle dump truck carries about 10 to 12 cubic yards of loose fill-dirt, which is roughly 12 to 18 tons depending on moisture and composition. One cubic yard covers 81 square feet at 1 inch depth, so a 10-cubic-yard load covers about 810 sq ft at 1 inch, about 270 sq ft at 3 inches, or about 135 sq ft at 6 inches. Use these conversions to estimate coverage for your project and ask Hello Gravel for a site-specific calculation.

Assuming a common single-car width of 10 feet, a 20-foot by 10-foot driveway needs about 2.5 cubic yards at 4 inches and about 3.7 cubic yards at 6 inches. That equals roughly 3.3 to 5.5 tons depending on soil density; it meets or slightly exceeds Hello Gravel's 3-ton minimum for many orders. Delivered cost depends on material price and distance, but expect a modest per-ton material charge plus any delivery fee; request a zip-code specific quote on our site for the most accurate price.

Fill-dirt is generally cheaper per ton than decorative or crushed gravel because it is untreated earth used for grading and filling. However, fill-dirt is intended for building up and compacting subgrade—not as a finished driving surface; gravel is usually required on top for drainage and durability. For driveways in Dekalb County, order fill-dirt for grades and base material, then add gravel as the wearing course.

Most standard full-size pickup beds safely hold about 1/2 to 1 cubic yard of loose fill-dirt; heavier or wetter fill can exceed safe payload limits and damage the truck. For anything near or above a cubic yard, or when you need precise amounts, delivery by dump truck is recommended. Hello Gravel also has a 3-ton minimum, so delivery is the practical choice for most homeowners.

Volume depends on depth: at 2 inches you need about 0.6 cubic yards, and at 4 inches about 1.2 cubic yards for a 10x10 patio. Suppliers can deliver small amounts, but because of truck capacities and minimums (Hello Gravel's minimum is 3 tons), smaller orders may be rounded up or combined with nearby deliveries. Contact Hello Gravel to see if a supplier in Dekalb County can meet an exact small quantity or suggest the most cost-effective approach.

Homeowners can install fill-dirt themselves for small leveling or garden projects if they have the time and basic tools, but proper compaction is important to avoid settling. Many local contractors in the Tennessee region offer site prep and compaction services; Hello Gravel coordinates material and delivery but does not guarantee installation. Ask our team for referrals or request delivery-only pricing and then get local contractors to quote installation if needed.

Pea gravel is decorative, drains well, and creates a finished surface, but it shifts, wanders off paths, and does not compact like fill-dirt. Fill-dirt compacts and provides a stable base but is not a finished surface and can retain water or support vegetation if not capped with gravel or topsoil. Pea gravel usually costs more per ton than basic fill-dirt, so many Dekalb County projects use fill-dirt for grading and pea gravel or crushed stone as the top layer.

Costs vary by material choice and depth, but as an example: a 20 ft by 10 ft driveway with a 4-inch compacted fill-dirt base (about 2.5 cubic yards) and a 2-inch gravel surface (about 0.6 cubic yards) could require roughly 3 to 6 tons of combined material. Material and delivery costs in Dekalb County might put a DIY materials-only range around a few hundred dollars, while contractor-installed jobs could be higher once labor and compaction are included. For an accurate estimate, request a detailed quote through Hello Gravel that factors local material prices, delivery, and any site access considerations.

Standard delivery windows in our network are 2+ business days, and next-day delivery is sometimes available for orders placed before noon CST with an extra fee. Same-day delivery may be possible in limited situations depending on supplier schedule, truck availability, and your location in Dekalb County, but it usually carries a premium and is not guaranteed. Remember Hello Gravel's minimum order is 3 tons and tailgate spreading is available only at the driver's discretion.