Fill Dirt in San Antonio, TX

Fill dirt is generally cheaper than gravel in San Antonio because it is less processed and often sourced locally (includes native clay and caliche). Gravel requires crushing and screening, which raises cost. Prices vary by supplier and delivery distance, so ordering larger volumes usually lowers the per-ton price.

A typical tri-axle dump truck in San Antonio carries about 10 to 12 cubic yards of fill dirt, and local prices commonly range from roughly $300 to $900 per load depending on material type, delivery distance, and hauling fees. Heavy caliche or wet material can cost more due to weight. Get an exact quote for your zip code to see current pricing and delivery options.

In San Antonio, fill dirt commonly sells for a rough range of $15 to $40 per cubic yard or about $10 to $30 per ton, depending on quality, how processed it is, and delivery charges. Moisture content and local caliche content affect weight and pricing. Use Hello Gravel's quote tool to see live prices for your address.

Fill dirt is mostly native subsoil—sand, silt, clay, and sometimes caliche—used to raise or fill ground and typically contains few rocks or organic matter. Gravel is crushed rock used for drainage and structural bases and has consistent, angular particles. Use fill dirt for bulk volume and grading; use gravel where drainage and load-bearing are required.

Use the formula cubic yards = area (sq ft) × depth (inches) / 324. For 1,000 sq ft, 1 inch depth needs about 3.1 cubic yards, 2 inches needs about 6.2 cubic yards, and 4 inches needs about 12.3 cubic yards. Always add 5-15% extra for compaction and uneven ground, and consider local settling in clay/caliche soils.

No. Two inches of fill dirt is not sufficient for a driveway surface or structural base. Driveways need a compacted, structural base (6 inches or more of compacted crushed rock) topped with the wearing surface; fill dirt is suitable for raising grade but not as a surfacing or load-bearing layer.

For a 20 ft long driveway, calculate area by length × width. For example, a 20 ft by 10 ft area at 4 inches depth needs about 2.5 cubic yards (20×10×4/324 ≈ 2.47 yd3). For a driveway base you should plan for 6 inches or more of compacted base material, which will require roughly 3.9 cubic yards for that same 20×10 area at 6 inches.

Buy locally sourced, unprocessed fill dirt in larger quantities to reduce per-unit cost, and schedule delivery at once to avoid multiple trip fees. Compare Hello Gravel quotes from nearby suppliers and ask about caliche content, moisture, and compaction. Avoid using topsoil or imported engineered fill unless your project requires it, as those are usually pricier.

Coverage depends on density and depth. As a rule of thumb, 1 ton of fill dirt is roughly 0.7 to 1.0 cubic yards, so at 1 inch depth it will cover about 230 to 324 sq ft, and at 2 inches it will cover about 115 to 162 sq ft. Variations in moisture, compaction, and caliche content will change these numbers, so use them as estimates.

One cubic yard is 27 cubic feet, roughly a 3 ft × 3 ft × 3 ft cube—about the size of a stack you could lift with a small crew. In coverage terms, 1 cubic yard will cover about 324 sq ft at 1 inch depth, 162 sq ft at 2 inches, or 108 sq ft at 3 inches. Keep in mind loose versus compacted volumes differ, so plan for some settlement.

A standard full‑size pickup bed can usually hold about 1 to 2 cubic yards of loose material, so 1 cubic yard will generally fit. However, weight is the limiting factor: a cubic yard of fill dirt often weighs 2,000 to 3,000 lbs, which can exceed your truck's payload rating. Check your truck's payload capacity and local road weight limits before hauling.

You can place gravel over fill dirt, but the fill must be properly prepared: remove organic topsoil, place and compact the fill in lifts, and ensure proper grading for drainage. Without compaction, the gravel surface will shift and rut over time. For driveways and heavy use, install a compacted base (crushed rock) before laying the final gravel layer.

No—fill dirt is not a suitable drainage layer because it often contains clay and fines that hold water. For drainage you should use clean, free‑draining material like crushed rock or gravel and include a drain pipe or proper slope. In San Antonio's clay and caliche soils, designing a drainage solution with permeable rock is especially important to avoid standing water and settlement.

Yes, you can use fill dirt to raise and level low spots, but do it in layers (lifts) and compact each lift to reduce settling. Avoid using organic topsoil as fill; use clean subsoil or engineered fill if possible. Also plan for final grading to maintain drainage away from structures, since San Antonio's clay and occasional heavy rains can cause ponding if slopes are incorrect.