Utah Concrete Calculator
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Utah
Concrete Calculator — Yards, Bags & Cost
Calculate cubic yards, bags needed, and Utah-accurate ready-mix costs for any concrete project — driveways, foundations, Wasatch Front slabs, desert patios, footings & more.
$138
Avg UT Ready-Mix (per Cu Yd)
4,000
Min PSI — UT Exposed Flatwork
30 in
Frost Depth — Salt Lake City
DOPL
UT Division of Occupational & Prof. Licensing
🚗 Driveway
🏗️ Foundation
🏔️ Wasatch Front Slab
🪨 Footings
🌵 Southern UT Desert Slab
🏠 Garage Floor
The Utah Concrete Calculator helps homeowners, contractors, and builders estimate cubic yards, bag count, and ready-mix costs for any concrete project across Utah. Pricing typically runs $128–$162/yd statewide, with Salt Lake City and the Wasatch Front metro near the middle and rural or mountain communities running $10–$20/yd higher due to haul distance and limited supplier competition. Utah presents three distinct concrete environments: the Wasatch Front (Salt Lake City, Ogden, Provo) with moderate freeze-thaw cycles and a 30-inch frost depth; the northern mountains (Park City, Logan) with more severe winters and frost depths up to 36 inches; and Southern Utah (St. George, Cedar City) with minimal frost risk but extreme summer heat requiring careful hot-weather curing procedures. Utah also has widespread expansive clay soils that can heave and crack slabs — proper subgrade preparation is critical statewide. Enter your dimensions for instant, UT-accurate results.
🏜️ Utah Concrete Calculator
🏜️ UT-Accurate Pricing · Building Code Compliant · Utah State
Utah Concrete Calculator
Cubic yards, bags needed & UT ready-mix cost — instant results
🚗 Driveway
🏗️ Foundation
🏔️ Wasatch Slab
🌵 Desert Slab
🪨 Footings
Enter project dimensions to calculate volume, bags, and estimated Utah material cost.
Residential driveway: 6 in. min depth, 4,000 PSI. Air-entrained required in Wasatch Front and northern UT. UDOT access permit required on state routes.
Patio/walkway 4 in · Driveway 6 in · Wasatch/mountain 6 in · Footing 10–14 in · Foundation 8–12 in
Cubic Yards Required
—
Including waste factor
📋 Project Summary
💵 Utah Cost Estimate
📐 Utah Driveway / Slab Cross-Section — Wasatch Front Standard Layers
Broom Finish — UT Standard (Freeze-Thaw / Expansive Soil)
Concrete — 4–6 in. (Utah Building Code / IBC)
4,000 PSI · Air-Entrained Wasatch Front & Northern UT · W/C ≤ 0.45
⬛ Rebar #4 / Wire Mesh — Driveways, Foundations, Expansive Clay Sites
🪨 4–6 in. Compacted Crushed Base Course (Non-Expansive Fill)
Compacted / Treated Subgrade — Frost: 12 in. (St. George) / 30 in. (SLC) / 36 in. (Logan)
27
Cu ft per cubic yard
45
80 lb bags per cu yd
$138
Avg UT ready-mix / yd
Concrete Slab
Rebar Layer
Gravel Base
Subgrade
Utah Concrete Calculator — What You Need to Know
Utah’s geography creates three very different concrete challenges across the state. The Wasatch Front (Salt Lake City, Ogden, Provo, West Valley City) is Utah’s most active construction market — rapid population growth drives strong demand and moderate pricing, while winters bring moderate freeze-thaw cycles requiring air-entrained concrete and 30-inch frost-depth footings. The northern Utah mountains (Logan, Park City, Heber City) see more severe winters with frost depths up to 36 inches and require higher-spec mixes. Southern Utah (St. George, Cedar City, Moab) experiences minimal frost (12 inches in St. George) but scorching summers exceeding 110°F — concrete poured in July heat can lose workability in minutes, and hot-weather curing is critical. One factor universal across all of Utah is expansive clay soil — the Wasatch Front and much of central and southern Utah sit on bentonite and other highly expansive clays that can exert enormous pressure under slabs, causing cracking and heaving if not properly addressed during site preparation. All Utah construction is regulated by the Utah Uniform Building Code enforced at the city and county level.
🔵 Utah Building Code — Minimum Concrete Requirements
Exposed flatwork (driveways, patios, walkways): 4,000 PSI min statewide · Structural exposed to weather: 4,000–4,500 PSI · Air entrainment: Required in Wasatch Front and northern UT (4–6%); not required in southern UT but recommended for durability · W/C ratio: max 0.45 · Frost depth: ~12 in. (St. George) · ~30 in. (Salt Lake City / Wasatch Front) · ~36 in. (Logan / northern mountain areas). Always confirm locally with your city or county building department.
🚗 Utah Driveway
A standard 10×40 ft driveway at 6 inches needs ~7.4 cubic yards. At UT pricing of $130–$155/yd (Wasatch Front), material cost runs $962–$1,147. In Salt Lake City and Wasatch Front communities, always specify air-entrained 4,000 PSI and a UDOT access permit if the driveway connects to any state-maintained road.
🌵 Southern UT — Hot-Weather Curing
St. George and the Washington County area regularly top 110°F in summer, making hot-weather concrete management essential. Schedule pours before 7 AM, pre-wet the subgrade and forms, use chilled mix water or ice, and apply curing compound immediately after finishing. High evaporation rates in Utah’s desert climate can cause plastic shrinkage cracking within 30 minutes of placement if unprotected.
🧱 Expansive Clay Soil Warning
Utah’s Wasatch Front and much of central and southern Utah contain highly expansive bentonite clay soils that swell dramatically when wet and shrink when dry, exerting enormous pressure on slabs and foundations. Always remove expansive soil from under slabs, replace with compacted non-expansive fill or crushed base course, and consider post-tensioned or reinforced slabs on highly expansive sites.
How to Calculate Concrete Volume for Utah Projects
Measure your project length and width in feet, depth in inches. Convert depth to feet (divide by 12), multiply all three together for cubic feet, then divide by 27 for cubic yards. Add at least 10% for waste — Utah’s many rural and southern communities may have long haul distances from the nearest batching plant, making short-loads costly. For regional comparison, see the Nevada Concrete Calculator or the Colorado Concrete Calculator for neighboring intermountain-west pricing context.
📐 Utah Concrete Volume Formula
Volume (cu ft) = Length (ft) × Width (ft) × [Depth (in) ÷ 12]
Volume (cu yd) = Volume (cu ft) ÷ 27
Order Qty = CEIL[ Volume (cu yd) × Waste Factor ]
Example: 20 ft × 10 ft driveway × 6 in = 100 cu ft = 3.70 cu yd → Order 4.1 cu yd (+10%)
⚠️ Utah Expansive Soil — Test Before You Pour
Bentonite and other expansive clays are common across the Wasatch Front, Utah Valley, and much of southern Utah. A soils test ($200–$500) before any slab pour can prevent thousands of dollars in cracked concrete repairs. If expansive soil is found, options include over-excavating and replacing with compacted clean fill, using lime stabilization, or designing a reinforced post-tensioned slab. Never pour a standard unreinforced slab on untreated expansive clay in Utah.
Utah Concrete Pricing Reference
Salt Lake City, West Valley City, Provo, and Ogden form the most competitive ready-mix market in Utah with multiple suppliers. Cache Valley (Logan) and Utah Valley (Provo/Orem) are near average. Southern Utah (St. George, Cedar City) and rural eastern Utah (Moab, Price, Vernal) can run $10–$25/yd above the Wasatch Front average due to limited supplier competition and hauling costs. Air-entrained mixes add $5–$10/yd statewide.
| Mix Type / PSI | UT Price / Cu Yd | National Avg | Best For | Air Entrained? | UT Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3,000 PSI — Standard | $115–$135 | $125–$145 | Interior slabs, protected areas | Not Outdoor | Interior Only |
| 3,500 PSI — Residential | $122–$142 | $133–$152 | Heated garages, southern UT interior slabs | Recommended | Acceptable |
| 4,000 PSI — UT Standard | $130–$152 | $140–$162 | Driveways, patios, all exposed flatwork | Required N. UT | Compliant |
| 4,500 PSI — Structural | $140–$162 | $150–$172 | Wasatch Front foundations, mountain slabs | Required | Compliant |
| 5,000 PSI — High Strength | $150–$175 | $158–$185 | Heavy structural, commercial, industrial | Required | Compliant |
| Fiber-Reinforced / Colored | $160–$200 | $155–$200 | Decorative patios, stamped driveways | Required | Compliant |
3,000 PSI — Standard
UT Price / Cu Yd$115–$135
National Avg$125–$145
Best ForInterior / fully protected slabs only
3,500 PSI — Residential
UT Price / Cu Yd$122–$142
National Avg$133–$152
Best ForHeated garages, southern UT interior
4,000 PSI — UT Standard
UT Price / Cu Yd$130–$152
National Avg$140–$162
Best ForDriveways, patios, all exposed flatwork
4,500 PSI — Structural
UT Price / Cu Yd$140–$162
National Avg$150–$172
Best ForWasatch Front foundations, mountain slabs
5,000 PSI — High Strength
UT Price / Cu Yd$150–$175
National Avg$158–$185
Best ForHeavy structural, commercial, industrial
✅ Northern Utah / Logan — Deeper Frost Zone
Cache Valley (Logan) and other northern Utah mountain communities experience frost depths up to 36 inches — 6 inches deeper than Salt Lake City. All footings, foundations, and grade beams in these areas must clear 36 inches below finished grade. Specify 4,000–4,500 PSI with 5–6% air entrainment for any exposed concrete. Logan and surrounding Cache County also see significant snowfall with road salt runoff — use a penetrating sealer on driveway and walkway slabs for added protection.
Utah Concrete Project Tips
- Always test for expansive soil first — bentonite and expansive clays are widespread across the Wasatch Front, Utah Valley, and southern Utah. A soils test ($200–$500) before any slab pour is the single best investment you can make to prevent future cracking and heaving.
- Wasatch Front: use air-entrained mix — specify 4–6% air content for all outdoor flatwork in Salt Lake City, Ogden, Provo, and surrounding communities. Freeze-thaw cycles will attack non-entrained concrete surfaces within a few winters.
- Northern Utah / Logan: 36-inch frost line — Cache Valley frost depth runs 6 inches deeper than SLC. All footings must clear 36 inches. Use 4,500 PSI with air entrainment and a sealer to protect against road-salt runoff from Logan’s snowy winters.
- Southern UT: schedule pours in early morning — in St. George and Washington County, summer temperatures above 100°F make afternoon pours extremely difficult. Pour before 7 AM, pre-cool mix water, use pre-wetted forms and subgrade, and apply evaporation retarder immediately after screeding.
- Get your UDOT access permit early — the Utah Department of Transportation requires an access permit before any driveway is constructed on a state-maintained road. Apply through your local UDOT region office; processing typically takes 2–3 weeks.
- Replace expansive subgrade before pouring — never pour a slab over untreated expansive clay. Over-excavate 6–12 inches, replace with non-expansive pit run or crushed base course, and compact in lifts. This single step prevents the majority of slab cracking in Utah.
- Cure slowly in Utah’s dry climate — Utah’s low humidity statewide (both desert south and mountain north) causes rapid moisture evaporation from fresh concrete. Apply curing compound within 20 minutes of finishing, or wet-cure with burlap for 7 days to prevent surface cracking from premature drying.
Frequently Asked Questions — Utah Concrete Calculator
How much does concrete cost per yard in Utah?+
Expect $128–$162 per cubic yard for standard 4,000 PSI ready-mix across Utah. Salt Lake City and Wasatch Front suppliers are the most competitive at $130–$152/yd. Southern Utah (St. George, Cedar City) and rural eastern Utah (Moab, Vernal) run $10–$25/yd higher due to fewer suppliers and longer haul distances. Short-load fees of $125–$250 apply for orders under 5 yards.
What PSI concrete do I need for a Utah driveway?+
Use 4,000 PSI minimum for any exposed driveway statewide. In Wasatch Front and northern Utah communities, specify 4–6% air entrainment for freeze-thaw resistance. In southern Utah, 4,000 PSI without air entrainment is technically acceptable but adding air entrainment is a low-cost upgrade that improves durability. Always confirm with your local building department before pouring.
How deep do footings need to be in Utah?+
Frost depth varies significantly across Utah: ~12 inches in St. George (Washington County), ~30 inches in Salt Lake City and the Wasatch Front, and up to 36 inches in Logan and northern mountain communities. Always verify with your local city or county building department — the locally adopted frost depth takes precedence over general estimates.
How does expansive clay affect concrete in Utah?+
Utah’s expansive bentonite clays are one of the most common causes of cracked and heaved concrete slabs statewide. When wet, these clays swell and push upward on slabs; when dry, they shrink and leave voids beneath. The fix is over-excavating the expansive material and replacing it with compacted non-expansive fill before pouring. A geotechnical soils test is strongly recommended for any slab or foundation project on the Wasatch Front or in southern Utah.
Can I pour concrete in Utah summer heat?+
Yes, but hot-weather precautions are mandatory when air temps exceed 90°F — common statewide in summer and routine in southern Utah. Follow ACI 305 hot-weather guidelines: pour before 7 AM, use chilled or iced mix water, pre-wet subgrade and forms, apply evaporation retarder after screeding, and begin moist curing immediately. In St. George, avoid July and August pours if possible unless you can schedule a very early morning delivery.
Do I need a permit for concrete work in Utah?+
Permits are issued by local city and county building departments in Utah — there is no single statewide permitting authority for most residential concrete work. Foundations, structural slabs, and retaining walls over 4 feet typically require permits. Patios and driveways may not, but connecting to a state road requires a UDOT access permit. Always check with your local jurisdiction before starting any concrete work.
How many cubic yards for a Utah garage floor?+
A standard 20×24 ft two-car garage at 4 inches needs approximately 5.93 cubic yards (6.5 yd with 10% waste). At UT pricing of $130–$152/yd, material cost runs roughly $845–$988. Use 4,000 PSI with air entrainment in Wasatch Front garages — temperature swings through the garage door opening stress non-entrained concrete surfaces over time.
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Official Utah Concrete Resources
Utah DOPL building permits, UDOT access guidelines, and industry standards for compliant concrete work.
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Utah DOPL — Building Codes & Licensing
State Authority
The Utah Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing (DOPL) oversees contractor licensing and enforces the Utah Uniform Building Code statewide. Local city and county building departments issue individual construction permits — contact your municipality before starting any foundation, slab, or structural concrete work in Utah.
UDOT — Access Permits
Utah Dept. of Transportation
The Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) requires an access permit before constructing any driveway or approach connecting to a state highway or access-controlled route. Apply through your local UDOT region office — required before concrete is poured for any driveway apron on a state-maintained road in Utah.
ACI 318 & ACI 305 — Concrete Standards
Industry Standards
ACI 318 (structural concrete) and ACI 305 (hot-weather concreting) are the key national standards adopted by Utah’s building code. ACI 305 is especially critical for southern Utah desert projects — it defines mix temperature limits, evaporation thresholds, curing requirements, and best practices for concrete placed in hot and arid conditions.