What tandem, tri-axle, and quad dump trucks actually bill per hour, per load, and per ton across North Carolina in 2026 — plus when to quote hourly instead of per load.
| Truck | Hourly | Per load | Per ton (10–25 mi haul) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single-axle | $80–$115/hr | $200–$290 | $6–$12/ton |
| Tandem-axle | $100–$145/hr | $260–$380 | $7–$14/ton |
| Tri-axle | $120–$175/hr | $340–$490 | $7–$15/ton |
| Quad / super dump | $140–$205/hr | $410–$590 | $8–$16/ton |
Year-round with hurricane risk Aug–Oct. Mountain routes (I-40 west of Asheville) get real winter shutdowns.
Cycles under 45 minutes, sites with loader or paver wait time, and anything where the GC controls your pace. Always attach a two-hour minimum.
Long, predictable quarry-to-site runs over 90 minutes where you control the cycle. Convert the offer to an hourly figure first — if it lands under $100/hr, counter.
$4,900–$9,500/yr for a single tandem. NC uses a mile-based overweight permit system. Charlotte and Raleigh metros have strict weight enforcement on secondary roads. Tri-axle is dominant for aggregate.
Full North Carolina startup guide →The course includes the rate-quote worksheet, cycle-time math, and the exact language for holding your number when a GC pushes back.