Fill Dirt in Fresno, CA

Fill dirt is subsoil with little organic matter used to raise or level ground. Unlike topsoil, it is not meant for planting and lacks nutrients. Compared with gravel, fill dirt compacts well but does not provide drainage or a finished surface.

Generally yes: fill dirt is usually less expensive than decorative gravel because it is a basic subgrade material. Prices in Fresno can vary by supplier and haul distance, so get a local quote from Hello Gravel for the most accurate price.

Costs fluctuate with supplier, distance, and moisture, but in Fresno delivered fill dirt commonly ranges from roughly $8 to $25 per cubic yard. For an exact price and available delivery dates, request a quote via Hello Gravel so we can connect you with local suppliers.

One cubic yard equals 27 cubic feet and will cover about 324 sq ft at 1 inch depth or 54 sq ft at 6 inches. Because density varies, 1 cubic yard of fill dirt in Fresno typically weighs about 1.2 to 1.5 tons, so 1 ton equals roughly 0.7 to 0.9 cubic yards.

For 1,000 sq ft at 6 inches (0.5 ft) you need about 18.5 cubic yards (1000 x 0.5 / 27). That is roughly 22 to 28 tons depending on moisture and compaction. Use Hello Gravel's material calculator or request a quote to confirm quantities for your site.

A standard tri-axle dump truck commonly carries about 10 to 14 cubic yards of fill dirt. At 6 inches depth that covers roughly 540 to 756 sq ft; at 3 inches depth it covers about 1,080 to 1,512 sq ft. Exact capacity depends on the truck and local load limits.

Some full-size pickup beds can hold about one cubic yard by volume, but the weight may exceed your truck's payload rating. Check your truck's payload limit before loading; for safety and convenience, many Fresno homeowners order delivery by dump truck instead.

You can put gravel over fill dirt, but the fill should be properly compacted and graded first to prevent settling. In Fresno's clay-influenced soils, compacting in lifts and adding a crushed rock base helps prevent rutting and drainage problems.

Use gravel or crushed rock for drainage because these materials allow water to flow through. Fill dirt is dense and will not provide drainage; use it to build grade and then place gravel where you need infiltration or a drain rock layer.

Standard delivery requires 2 or more business days from order placement. Next-day delivery may be available for orders placed before noon CST for an extra fee; check availability for Fresno zip codes during checkout or contact our team.

Drivers may offer tailgate spreading at their discretion and if it can be done safely. Request spreading at checkout and note that Hello Gravel and drivers do not guarantee spreading; we recommend planning for professional spreading or renting equipment for large jobs.

Fill dirt can be used to backfill in many construction situations, but local building codes and the type of fill matter for septic systems and foundations. Check Fresno County or city permits and consult your contractor; Hello Gravel can supply material specs to help with permitting.

Clear vegetation and organic topsoil from the work area and identify any utility lines before delivery. In Fresno's seasonally dry and sometimes clayey soils, place fill in thin lifts and compact each layer to reduce future settling and water pooling.

No. Two inches of gravel is too thin for a driveway over fill dirt. For driveways you typically need 4 to 6 inches of compacted base material plus a top wearing course; make sure the underlying fill is compacted and stable first.

No. 1 ton is not always 1 cubic yard. The weight of 1 cubic yard of fill dirt varies by moisture and composition, but a good rule of thumb in Fresno is about 1.2 to 1.5 tons per cubic yard, so 1 ton is roughly 0.7 to 0.9 cubic yards.