Fill-dirt in Newport News, VA

Fill-dirt is plain subsoil with low organic content used to raise grades, fill holes, or build engineered fills. In Newport News it is commonly used to bring yards up after utility work, level low spots in clay/sand soils, or to prepare a base before topsoil or gravel. It is not a planting medium, so add topsoil for lawns, gardens, or planting beds.

Prices vary by source, season, and trucking distance, but in the Hampton Roads area fill-dirt commonly falls in the range of about $10 to $30 per cubic yard (rough estimate). Because density varies, that typically equals roughly 1.1 to 1.3 tons per cubic yard; always get a live quote from Hello Gravel for accurate per-ton and delivery pricing for your zip code.

A typical residential tri-axle dump truck in our network carries roughly 10 to 12 cubic yards of fill-dirt (about 11 yd3 is common). One 12-yd3 load covers about 1,944 sq ft at 2u0022 depth, 972 sq ft at 4u0022, and 648 sq ft at 6u0022. Convert using 1 yd3 = 27 cu ft or contact us for exact coverage based on the truck assigned to your delivery.

Many suppliers serving Newport News source fill-dirt from nearby borrow pits and sand/clay deposits in the Tidewater area, but some loads come from farther inland depending on availability. Local sourcing usually cuts price and lead time; if material must cross bridges or travel longer distances you may see higher per-yard costs and longer delivery windows. Tell our team your timeline and we will match you with the closest supplier to minimize cost.

Hello Gravel has a minimum order of 3 tons and most residential deliveries use tri-axle dump trucks; in some tight-access jobs smaller single-axles or side-dumps may be used. Delivery fees depend on distance, driveway access, and any required permits—many areas see free or low-cost delivery but remote or heavy loads can add fees. Drivers will tip where safe and legal; if tipping into the street or public right-of-way is needed you may need a permit from Newport News or permission from your HOA.

Yes, fill-dirt can be dumped on the surface and rough-spread, but finished grading and compaction are usually required for structural fills or areas that will receive pavement. Drivers may perform limited tailgate spreading at their discretion if requested at checkout, but compaction is a separate service provided by landscapers or contractors. For a stable fill, work in 4u0022 to 6u0022 lifts and compact each lift; expect additional contractor costs for equipment and labor rather than having the hauler perform compaction.

Fill-dirt is not a suitable structural base for driveways; start with a compactable aggregate such as 3/4u0022 crushed stone, ABC, or a dense-graded base compacted in 4u0022 to 6u0022 lifts. In Tidewater climates with clay and occasional standing water, consider a geotextile fabric under the base and good subgrade drainage. Top with 1.5u0022 to 3u0022 of surface stone (#57 or crushed gravel) depending on desired finish and traffic.

Yes, plain fill-dirt is generally cheaper than topsoil because it lacks organic matter and screening. For leveling yards, a common approach is to bring grade up with fill-dirt and finish the surface with 3u0022 to 4u0022 of topsoil for seeding or sod; for planting beds and gardens order topsoil or a blended mix. If you want a single delivery, request a blended mix (for example 70/30 topsoil to fill) in the Order Notes so suppliers can quote a custom load.

Yes. Deliveries that tip material into the public right-of-way, block sidewalks, or exceed local fill or grading thresholds may require permits from the City of Newport News, and HOAs often restrict visible stockpiles and delivery hours. Coastal plain and FEMA floodplain rules can restrict filling in regulated areas and require erosion control measures; check with Newport News Planning and Code or your HOA before scheduling large deliveries to avoid fines or removal costs.

Use 1 cubic yard = 27 cubic feet to calculate required volume (length x width x depth in feet divided by 27) or use Hello Gravel's online material calculator for an instant estimate. Once you have a quantity, enter your zip code to get local pricing, choose a delivery date, and add any notes about access or spreading; contact our team if you need help selecting the right material or truck size.