Fill Dirt ordered online by the ton. A dump truck delivers to your Portland address and unloads right where you point.
If you are raising a low yard or filling a large hole, you need a material that will not settle or decompose. Fill dirt is mined from below the topsoil layer and contains no organic matter, so it provides a stable base for whatever you build on top.
Portland gets about 44 inches of precipitation a year. That steady rainfall makes drainage planning important when you use fill dirt to build up a pad or backfill around a foundation.
Fill dirt and topsoil serve different purposes. Fill dirt is a structural material for raising grade and backfill. It contains no organic matter, so it compacts well and will not settle over time. Topsoil is the growing layer that goes on top of it. For most Portland projects, you order fill dirt first and cap it with topsoil later.
| Product | What it is for | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Fill Dirt | Raising grade, filling holes, backfill | Clean, compactable subsoil with no organic content. |
Fill dirt is the standard choice for these common Portland projects because it compacts well and does not rot. The table below shows what to order for each job.
| Project | What to order | Depth or note |
|---|---|---|
| Building up a pad | Fill Dirt | Compact in 6-inch lifts |
| Filling a pool or pond | Fill Dirt | Allow for future settling |
| Burying a stump hole | Fill Dirt | Fill in layers, tamp each |
| Raising a low yard | Fill Dirt | Grade away from structures |
| Backfill around a foundation | Fill Dirt | Ensure proper compaction |
Work can run most of the year in this climate, which makes scheduling the delivery the easy part. However, about 100 days a year bring at least a tenth of an inch of rain, so scheduling the delivery onto firm ground matters. Portland also sees about 28 days a year below 32F, which narrows the work window and affects how much the ground moves during freeze-thaw cycles.
About 3 inches of snow falls per year, which is light but can cause plowing damage to a loose fill surface if a plow runs over it before the fill is compacted. Ground freezing here is not a significant factor, meaning the ground is workable through most of the winter and fill settles predictably.
Multnomah County permitted about 1,035 single-family homes in 2024. That figure suggests steady demand for fill dirt in new development, where raising grade and backfill are routine tasks.
Estimating how many tons of fill dirt you need depends on the cubic yards of space you want to fill. A cubic yard of fill dirt weighs about 1.3 to 1.5 tons. To get a rough number, multiply the length and width in feet by the depth in inches, then divide by 324 to get cubic yards. For a more precise figure, use our fill dirt calculator, which accounts for compaction and the shape of your site.
Ordering fill dirt from Gravel Monkey is straightforward. You choose the material and the quantity by the ton, and the delivery price is calculated by your ZIP code at checkout. A dump truck brings the load directly to your address. Loads can range from 1 ton to over 40 tons. Free delivery is available on qualifying orders. Use code FIRSTTIMER50 at checkout to get $50 off your first order.
Learn more about how we operate on our About Gravel Monkey page. See what customers have shared on our Customer reviews page. For delivery details, visit our Delivery information page.
The delivery price is set by your ZIP code and the tonnage you order. About 100 days a year bring at least a tenth of an inch of rain in Portland. While that affects scheduling, the price does not change with the weather. Free delivery is available on qualifying orders.
Portland gets about 44 inches of precipitation a year, so fill dirt that is not capped with topsoil may see some settling as the ground moves. Use the fill dirt calculator for a precise tonnage estimate based on the dimensions of your area.
Orders must be placed at least 3 business days before the desired delivery date. The delivery date is chosen at checkout. This lead time allows us to confirm the delivery window and schedule the truck.
You or someone you nominate must be available during the delivery window. If no one is present, the delivery may be missed and a redelivery fee can apply. Gravel Monkey notifies you before the truck leaves so you can be ready.
Gravel Monkey delivers fill dirt to your address in Portland and the surrounding area. Order online, choose your delivery window, and the truck arrives with the material you need. Start your project by visiting our Portland page.
We also deliver fill dirt to these nearby areas:
See the delivered price for your address and order fill dirt by the ton online. Loads run from 1 to over 40 tons, with free delivery on qualifying orders.
Fill out the form and our sales team will get back to you within the hour.