Ready-Mix vs Bagged Concrete: Which Should You Use?

The decision comes down to project size: use bagged concrete for projects under 1 cubic yard (about 45 bags), and ready-mix delivery for anything larger. The break-even point is roughly 1-1.5 cubic yards, where the convenience of ready-mix starts to outweigh the cost savings of bags.

Understanding when each option makes sense saves money, time, and backache. Use our concrete calculator to determine your project's volume, then follow this guide to choose your source.

The Quick Decision Framework

Project Size	Cubic Yards	80-lb Bags	Best Choice
Very small	Under 0.5	Under 25	Bagged
Small	0.5-1.0	25-45	Bagged
Medium	1.0-1.5	45-70	Either (consider ready-mix)
Large	1.5-3.0	70-135	Ready-mix
Very large	3.0+	135+	Ready-mix only

One person can reasonably mix 20-30 bags in a day. Beyond that, you're looking at multiple days of work, exhaustion, and quality control challenges.

Bagged Concrete: Pros and Cons

Advantages

No minimum order. Buy exactly what you need, whether that's 5 bags or 50.

Work at your own pace. Mix a batch, pour it, go inside for lunch, come back and mix more. No time pressure (until you start each batch).

Easier scheduling. Pick up bags whenever it's convenient. No coordinating with delivery trucks.

Lower cost for small projects. No delivery fees, no short-load charges.

Better for DIY. Mistakes affect only one batch, not an entire pour.

Disadvantages

Labor intensive. Each 80-lb bag requires lifting, opening, mixing, and pouring. Multiply by 45+ bags and you're in for a workout.

Higher cost per yard. Bags cost roughly $290 per cubic yard (using 80-lb bags at $6.50 each). Ready-mix costs $125-175 per yard.

Inconsistent mixing. Each batch is mixed separately, potentially creating slight variations in consistency and strength.

Time consuming. Mixing 45 bags takes 3-5 hours of steady work. Ready-mix arrives ready to pour.

Ready-Mix Concrete: Pros and Cons

Advantages

Consistent quality. Factory-mixed to precise specifications. Every yard is identical.

Save time and labor. Concrete arrives ready to pour. No mixing required.

Lower cost per yard. At $125-175 per yard, ready-mix is roughly half the cost of bagged concrete per cubic yard.

Better for large projects. You can pour 5 yards in the time it takes to mix 20 bags.

Higher strength potential. Professional mixing ensures proper water-to-cement ratios.

Disadvantages

Minimum orders. Most suppliers require at least 1 yard. Some charge short-load fees for orders under 3-4 yards.

Time pressure. Once mixed, you have 60-90 minutes to pour and finish before concrete becomes unworkable. No breaks.

Requires help. You need multiple people to move and place concrete quickly.

Scheduling constraints. Trucks need to be scheduled, and they don't wait.

Access requirements. The truck needs to get within chute distance of your pour area, or you'll need a pump truck (added cost).

Cost Comparison

Here's a direct cost comparison for different project sizes:

10×10 Patio (0.5 cubic yards)

Bagged:

• 23 bags × $6.50 = $150
• Total: $150

Ready-mix:

• 0.5 yards × $150 = $75
• Short-load fee: $75
• Total: $150

Verdict: Equal cost, but bags offer more flexibility and less time pressure.

12×12 Patio (0.9 cubic yards)

Bagged:

• 41 bags × $6.50 = $267
• Total: $267

Ready-mix:

• 1 yard × $150 = $150 (round up to minimum)
• Short-load fee: $50
• Total: $200

Verdict: Ready-mix is slightly cheaper, but bags mean you can take your time.

20×20 Driveway Pad (2.5 cubic yards)

Bagged:

• 113 bags × $6.50 = $735
• Total: $735

Ready-mix:

• 2.5 yards × $150 = $375
• Total: $375

Verdict: Ready-mix saves $360 and eliminates mixing 113 bags by hand. Easy choice.

For detailed pricing information, see our concrete cost per yard guide or use our cost calculator.

Practical Considerations

How Many Bags Can One Person Mix?

Realistically, 20-30 bags per day is the maximum for most people. That's 3-5 hours of hard labor. Beyond that:

• Quality suffers (inconsistent mixing when you're tired)
• Risk of injury increases
• The project drags across multiple days

If your project needs more than 30-40 bags, seriously consider ready-mix.

Ready-Mix Time Pressure

Ready-mix concrete begins setting the moment water is added at the plant. You typically have:

• 60-90 minutes of working time (longer in cool weather, shorter in heat)
• No ability to pause once the truck arrives
• Need for helpers to spread and work the concrete quickly

For more on working with bagged concrete, see our how to mix concrete guide.

Access and Site Requirements

Ready-mix trucks are large—typically 30-40 feet long and weighing 60,000+ pounds when loaded. You need:

• Driveway or road that can support the weight
• Space for the truck to maneuver
• Pour site within reach of the chute (about 15-20 feet max)

If the truck can't reach your pour site, you'll need a pump truck ($150-300) or wheelbarrows (which adds significant labor and time pressure).

Decision Guide by Project Type

Project	Recommended	Why
Fence post holes	Bags	Small quantities, multiple locations
Stepping stones	Bags	Very small amounts, flexible timing
Shed pad (8×10)	Bags	Under 1 yard, manageable DIY
Small patio (10×12)	Either	On the border; bags if DIY, ready-mix if hiring
Large patio (20×20)	Ready-mix	Too many bags to mix manually
Driveway	Ready-mix	Large volume, needs consistent quality
Foundation/footing	Ready-mix	Structural application needs consistency

For bag quantity calculations, see our guide on how many bags of concrete you need.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many bags equal a yard of concrete?

One cubic yard equals approximately 45 bags of 80-lb concrete, 60 bags of 60-lb concrete, or 90 bags of 40-lb concrete. These are estimates—actual yield varies slightly by brand.

Is ready-mix stronger than bagged?

Not inherently, but it's more consistent. Factory mixing ensures precise water-to-cement ratios and uniform blending. Bagged concrete mixed properly achieves the same strength ratings, but DIY mixing introduces more variability. Both standard products achieve 3,000-4,000 PSI when cured properly.

What's the minimum order for a concrete truck?

Most suppliers have a 1 cubic yard minimum, with some requiring 3-4 yards to avoid short-load fees. Fees range from $50-100 for under-minimum orders. Call local suppliers to confirm their policies.

Can one person pour a concrete slab?

For small slabs (under 50 square feet) using bagged concrete—yes, with careful planning. For ready-mix pours or anything larger, you need at least 2-3 helpers to spread, screed, and finish before the concrete sets.

Key Takeaways

• Under 1 cubic yard: bagged concrete is practical and cost-effective
• Over 1.5 cubic yards: ready-mix saves significant time, money, and labor
• Break-even point: approximately 1-1.5 cubic yards
• One person can reasonably mix 20-30 bags per day
• Ready-mix requires 60-90 minutes from delivery to finish—no breaks

Use our concrete calculator to determine your project size, then choose accordingly. For full project budgeting including labor, see our concrete cost per square foot guide. For more background, visit our concrete basics guide or browse all concrete guides.