Trucking Costs in Massachusetts Construction: Why the Right Truck Makes or Breaks Your Budget
When people think about construction costs, they picture steel, concrete, lumber, or stone. But there’s another major player in every project’s budget: trucking. The size and type of truck hauling your materials can drastically change the cost of your job, especially in Massachusetts where site access, road restrictions, and material needs collide.
Here’s a breakdown of the most common truck classes you’ll see on a job site, what they carry, and how they affect your bottom line.
1-Ton Dump Trucks
These are the smallest dump trucks—think heavy-duty pickup with a dump bed.
Capacity: 2–3 cubic yards, roughly 2–4 tons.
Best For: Tight residential sites, small deliveries, patch jobs, or when you need just a little fill.
Limitations: Not efficient for bulk hauling—too many trips, too much labor.
Cost Impact: Great for small jobs, but expensive per yard if used on larger projects.
6-Wheeler Dump Trucks
These are the workhorses of many local jobs.
Capacity: 8–10 cubic yards, about 10–12 tons.
Best For: Medium-size residential or commercial sites with limited access. Fits in tighter neighborhoods, city streets, or short driveways.
Limitations: Higher cost per ton moved compared to larger trucks.
Cost Impact: Efficient for moderate hauls where site space is limited, but you’ll pay more per ton than with triaxles or trailers.
10-Wheeler Dump Trucks
The bigger brother of the 6-wheeler.
Capacity: 12–15 cubic yards, about 15–18 tons.
Best For: Larger jobs where access roads are decent, and you need to balance capacity with maneuverability.
Limitations: May struggle in very tight sites or older residential streets.
Cost Impact: Sweet spot for many commercial projects—good load size, still fairly maneuverable.
Triaxle Dump Trucks
These trucks dominate big projects in Massachusetts.
Capacity: 18–20 cubic yards, about 20–24 tons.
Best For: Heavy earthmoving, road jobs, and commercial projects with good site access.
Limitations: Too large for cramped urban sites or narrow roads.
Cost Impact: Lower cost per ton moved because of volume. Every trip counts. But if your site can’t fit one, the savings disappear in wasted time.
Dump Trailers vs. Live Floor Trailers
When you’re moving a mountain of material, trailers come into play.
Dump Trailer: Can haul 25–30 tons. Needs plenty of overhead clearance to tip.
Live Floor Trailer: Uses a moving floor to unload. Safer for low-clearance sites and uneven ground.
Limitations: Require good road and site access—these rigs don’t belong on tight, muddy, or hilly residential sites.
Cost Impact: Cheapest way to move big volumes per ton, but only if your site can handle them.
Site Access: The Hidden Variable
In Massachusetts, site conditions are everything:
Urban Streets: A triaxle may not fit down a Cambridge side street, forcing you to use smaller trucks and pay more per load.
Driveways & Yards: Soft ground, overhead wires, or tight turns can knock dump trailers off the list immediately.
Highway Projects: Wide-open access makes triaxles and trailers the kings of cost-efficiency.
A truck that’s “too big” for the site can actually cost more—extra time, material handling, and even damage claims add up.
The Bottom Line for Customers
Trucking isn’t one-size-fits-all. The cheapest material price on paper might balloon if the wrong truck shows up to deliver it. By matching the right truck class to the right site, you save money, reduce delays, and keep the job moving smoothly.
At Amex Construction, we evaluate not just the material needs but also site access, road restrictions, and job size before selecting the right truck fleet. It’s how we keep your job on schedule—and on budget.
