Fill Dirt in Morgan County, TN

One cubic yard of fill-dirt typically weighs between about 1.2 and 1.5 tons (roughly 2,400 to 3,000 lb) depending on moisture, clay content, and rock. In Morgan County, where soils on the Cumberland Plateau can be clayey or rocky, expect weights toward the higher end when material is wet or contains cobbles. Use these ranges when converting between cubic yards and tons for ordering and truck capacity.

One cubic yard equals 27 cubic feet. That will cover approximately 81 square feet at 4 inches deep, 54 square feet at 6 inches deep, or 324 square feet at 1 inch deep. Always add 5-10% extra to account for settlement and compaction, especially on Morgan County clay soils.

A standard tri-axle dump truck used in the area typically carries about 10 to 12 cubic yards loose, which for fill-dirt translates to roughly 12 to 18 tons depending on moisture and rock content. Hello Gravel works with local haulers and can confirm the exact truck size and expected weight for your delivery when you get a quote. Remember our minimum order is 3 tons, so smaller needs may be quoted as partial truckloads.

For a 20-foot-long driveway, the quantity depends on width and depth. For example, a 20 ft by 10 ft driveway with a 4-inch base needs about 2.5 cubic yards (roughly 3-4 tons) of fill-dirt. If you plan thicker base, add volume accordingly and factor in compaction and local frost heave risks in Morgan County.

Using a 10 cubic yard truck as an example, you would cover about 810 square feet at 4 inches deep or about 540 square feet at 6 inches deep. If the truck is 12 cubic yards, multiply those areas by 1.2. Coverage varies with how much the driver piles or spreads the material and whether the dirt is loose or compacted, so plan conservatively.

Fill-dirt pricing varies by supplier, delivery distance, truck size, and material quality, so costs change across Morgan County. Hello Gravel provides transparent, location-based quotes—use the site to check your zip code or contact our team for a firm price and delivery window. Keep in mind additional fees may apply for next-day delivery or tight access sites.

Fill-dirt is often one of the least expensive materials to raise grade because it is typically un-vegetated subsoil, but "free" dirt is uncommon and can carry risks. Local construction sites, landowners, or road projects may occasionally offer free material, but you must confirm legality, contamination, and suitability for your project. Hello Gravel recommends buying from trusted local suppliers to ensure consistent quality and proper removal of debris or organic matter.

If you only need a thin leveling layer, screened loam or blended topsoil might be a better choice for final grading and planting, while crusher run or recycled construction base can be economical for driveways. However, for bulk bulk fill to raise grade where planting is not needed, plain fill-dirt is usually the least costly. Choose the material that matches your long-term use—good drainage and compaction are important in Morgan County's climate.

It depends on your truck. A full cubic yard is 27 cubic feet and can be very heavy (1.2–1.5 tons), so many pickup beds can hold the volume but not the weight and may exceed the vehicle payload rating. Small pickups may safely carry only a fraction of a yard; consult your truck's payload capacity before loading and consider hiring a dump truck delivery through Hello Gravel for safe, legal delivery.

Common downsides include uneven settlement over time, poor drainage if the dirt is clay-rich, and the presence of organic material or debris that can rot and cause settling. Morgan County's freeze-thaw cycles can increase settlement and frost heave risks if material is not properly compacted and graded. For structures or heavy loads, use engineered fill and compaction testing as required by your local building department.

Yes, compaction is important—loose fill can settle significantly. For lawns or simple grade adjustments, compaction with a plate compactor in layers (6-8 inches) is usually sufficient, but for foundations, driveways under paving, or retaining structures, engineered fill and compaction testing are often required by code. Contact the Morgan County building or engineering office for local requirements and consult Hello Gravel if you need contractor referrals.

Contact Hello Gravel as soon as possible—changes are easiest before your order is processed or dispatched. We will do our best to accommodate requests; however, ability to modify or cancel depends on timing and supplier/hauler status. If changes are needed after dispatch, additional fees or scheduling constraints may apply, so call or text our team right away.