Fill Dirt in Mobile, AL

Fill dirt is native soil or subsoil used to raise grade or fill low spots; it contains little organic matter and often includes sand, clay, and small rock. Gravel is a crushed stone or rounded rock used as a structural, draining surface. Use fill dirt when you need to build up or level ground; use gravel when you need drainage or a finished driving/walking surface.

Fill dirt is usually cheaper per cubic yard than decorative or crushed gravel because it is a raw subsoil material with less processing. Local prices vary by supplier, delivery distance, and truck access, so for exact pricing in Mobile check Hello Gravel with your zip code. Remember that gravel often costs more because it serves as a finished surface and may include delivery and spreading costs.

Local costs fluctuate, but delivered fill dirt in the Mobile area commonly ranges roughly from $15 to $40 per cubic yard depending on source, quantity, and site access. Hello Gravel has a 3-ton minimum order and can give a firm quote that includes delivery options and any next-day fees. For accurate pricing, enter your zip code or call our team with your project details.

A typical tri-axle dump truck used in our network usually carries about 10 to 14 cubic yards of loose material. Fill dirt weighs more than some aggregates, so that volume often equals approximately 12 to 18 tons depending on moisture and local soil density. Exact capacity varies by truck and local supplier, so Hello Gravel will confirm load size when you order.

Coverage depends on how deep you need the fill. As an example, a 10 cubic yard load covers about 540 sq ft at 6 inches deep or about 1,080 sq ft at 3 inches deep. For building up yards or foundations in Mobile, most homeowners plan on 6 to 12 inches of lift per rough grade, and multiple truckloads may be required.

One cubic yard is a 3 ft x 3 ft x 3 ft cube, which is 27 cubic feet of material. At a 4-inch depth, one cubic yard covers about 81 square feet, and at 6 inches it covers about 54 square feet. Visualizing this cube helps when estimating how many yards you need for grading or filling low spots.

Most full-size pickup beds can carry roughly 1/2 to 1 cubic yard of loose soil without exceeding payload limits, but that depends on your truck's payload rating. Fill dirt is heavy; a yard can weigh over a ton and may exceed a smaller truck's safe payload. We recommend using a dump truck delivery from Hello Gravel to avoid overloading your vehicle and to simplify unloading.

For backyard leveling, contractors commonly use 6 to 12 inches of compacted fill per lift. A 10 cubic yard load at 6 inches covers about 540 sq ft; at 12 inches it covers about 270 sq ft. For projects in Mobile with low spots or drainage corrections, measure the area and desired final grade to calculate how many loads you'll need.

Yes—fill dirt is commonly used to raise and regrade yards, fill holes, and correct slopes. In Mobile's humid climate you should place fill dirt in thin lifts (4 to 6 inches) and compact each lift to avoid future settling and drainage problems. If you plan to grow grass or plants, topdress with topsoil because fill dirt lacks organic matter for healthy planting.

You can place gravel over compacted fill dirt, but the fill must be properly graded and compacted first to prevent the gravel from sinking or shifting. Often a compacted crushed-rock base or geotextile fabric is added between fill dirt and surface gravel to improve stability and drainage. For driveways or high-traffic areas in Mobile, a prepared base is important because sandy or wet subsoil can lead to ruts and rutting.

Start with a well-compacted fill dirt subgrade, then add a layer of crushed stone or a granular base for structure and drainage. Consider a geotextile fabric between the fill and gravel to reduce mixing and improve stability on wetter Mobile soils. Proper compaction in 4- to 6-inch lifts and attention to drainage will extend the life of the gravel surface.

No, 2 inches of gravel is not adequate for a driveway over fill dirt; it will wash away and track into surrounding areas. A typical residential driveway requires a compacted base of 4 to 6 inches of crushed stone plus a 2-3 inch wearing layer of gravel; heavier loads may need 6 to 8 inches of base. Ensure the subgrade is compacted and pitched for drainage, particularly in Mobile's rainy climate.

Ten tons of fill dirt is roughly 7 to 9 cubic yards depending on moisture and soil density. At 6 inches depth, that volume covers approximately 378 to 486 sq ft; at 12 inches it covers about 189 to 243 sq ft. For precise planning in Mobile, measure your area and desired lift height and ask Hello Gravel for a yard-to-ton conversion based on local material.

Yes, fill dirt is generally cheaper than topsoil because it lacks organic matter and is intended for structural filling rather than planting. Use fill dirt to build grade, support structures, or fill low spots; finish with topsoil where you need to plant grass, flowers, or trees. In Mobile, consider a thin layer of topsoil over compacted fill to establish lawns and improve drainage for plantings.

You can order online by entering your zip code, selecting fill dirt, and choosing the amount; Hello Gravel has a 3-ton minimum order. Standard delivery is 2+ business days and next-day delivery is available if ordered before noon CST for an extra fee; drivers may offer tailgate spreading at their discretion if requested at checkout. For help sizing your job or a firm quote, contact our team at 855-241-8884 or text 844-407-3734.