Dump Truck Rate Per Hour: 2026 Benchmarks by Region
Local hourly rates: single-axle $85/hr–$120/hr, tandem $105–$150/hr, tri-axle $135–$165/hr. Rates run 15–25% higher in the Northeast and Bay Area; 10–20% lower in the Southeast and rural Midwest.
The hourly rate you'll actually get is a function of truck size, material, region, and how tight the local job pipeline is that week. There's a floor — and if you're being offered below it, someone is trying to eat your margin.
National rate ranges (2026)
| Truck | Northeast/Metro | Midwest/South | Rural |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single-axle | $110–$135 | $95–$120 | $85–$105 |
| Tandem-axle | $130–$165 | $115–$140 | $100–$125 |
| Tri-axle | $155–$195 | $135–$165 | $120–$145 |
| Quad | $180–$220 | $155–$185 | $140–$170 |
Hourly vs per-load: when to switch
Hourly wins on short cycles and dead-time-heavy sites (waiting for the loader, waiting for the paver). Per-load wins on long, predictable cycles like quarry-to-site runs. Rule of thumb: if your cycle is under 45 minutes, quote hourly; over 90 minutes, quote per load with a minimum.
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