So, you're staring at a stack of logs in the back of a truck, wondering if you're about to get ripped off. It happens to everyone. You want to stay warm, but you don't want to pay double what the neighbor paid. Honestly, the question of how much is a cord of firewood is way more complicated than just a single number on a price tag. It’s about volume, wood type, and whether some guy is trying to sell you a "face cord" while calling it a full one.
Prices fluctuate wildly. One week you’re looking at $300, and the next, a cold snap hits, and suddenly everyone wants $500.
Let's get the math out of the way first. A true, honest-to-god cord is 128 cubic feet. Usually, that looks like a stack 4 feet high, 4 feet wide, and 8 feet long. If the stack doesn't hit those measurements, it isn't a cord. Period. People get confused because sellers use terms like "rick," "face cord," or "truckload." Those aren't official measurements. They’re marketing. If you aren't careful, you’ll end up paying full price for 1/3 of the actual wood you need.
The Going Rates Across the Country
If you’re looking for a ballpark, most people are paying between $300 and $450 for a cord of seasoned hardwood. But that’s a massive range. In some parts of the Pacific Northwest, where Douglas Fir is everywhere, you might find it cheaper. In a dense city like Boston or New York where wood has to be trucked in from hours away? You might see prices north of $600.
Economics 101 hits hard here. Supply and demand rule the woodpile.
I’ve seen guys on Facebook Marketplace trying to sell "green" wood—which is basically just a freshly killed tree—for $250. It seems like a steal until you realize it won't actually burn. It’ll just hiss and smoke and make you angry. You’re paying for water weight. On the flip side, kiln-dried wood is the gold standard. It’s been baked in a giant oven to get the moisture down to 15% or less. You’re going to pay a premium for that, often $100 or $200 more than seasoned wood.
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Hardwood vs. Softwood Pricing
What are you actually burning? This matters more than the volume.
Oak is the king. It’s dense. It burns forever. Because it takes a long time to grow and even longer to season (usually 12-24 months), it costs the most.
- Oak and Hickory: These are your "overnight" woods. They stay hot. Expect to pay at the top of the local price range.
- Maple and Birch: Good middle ground. They smell great and burn clean, but they go faster than oak.
- Pine and Fir: These are softwoods. They’re great for getting a fire started because they catch fast, but they pop and spit. They also leave creosote in your chimney. If someone tries to charge you $400 for a cord of pine, walk away.
Delivery and Stacking Fees
Don't forget the "lazy tax." Most firewood prices are for "dumped" delivery. The driver backs up his truck, hits the hydraulic lift, and leaves a mountain of wood in your driveway. If you want them to actually stack it neatly against your fence, that's going to cost you. Usually, it’s an extra $50 to $100 per cord.
It's back-breaking work. I usually do it myself, but by the third hour, I always regret not paying the hundred bucks.
Distance also plays a role. Most local sellers include delivery within a 10-mile or 15-mile radius. If you live out in the sticks or way up a mountain, they’re going to tack on a fuel surcharge. It makes sense. Those trucks aren't exactly fuel-efficient when they're hauling three tons of oak.
How to Spot a Firewood Scam
You’ve got to be a bit of a detective. The most common trick is the "face cord" bait-and-switch. A face cord is only one stack deep (usually 16 inches). It looks like a cord from the front, but it’s actually only 1/3 of the volume. If a deal looks too good to be true, ask for the dimensions. If they can’t give you the 4x4x8 measurement, they are selling you a face cord.
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Another thing: Check the ends of the logs.
Seasoned wood should be greyish, cracked on the ends, and it should "ring" like a baseball bat when you knock two pieces together. If it makes a dull thud, it's wet. Wet wood is heavy. You’re paying for water, and you’re going to spend your whole winter fighting a fire that won't stay lit.
According to the University of New Hampshire’s Extension service, burning wet wood can also lead to dangerous creosote buildup, which is the leading cause of chimney fires. So, asking how much is a cord of firewood isn't just about your wallet—it’s about your safety.
Timing Your Purchase
If you’re buying wood in November, you’ve already lost. That’s when prices are highest and seasoned inventory is lowest.
The smart move? Buy in the spring or early summer. Sellers are looking to clear out their yards and the prices are usually $50-$100 lower per cord. Plus, if the wood is a little "green," you have six months of sun and wind to finish the seasoning process yourself at your own house. It’s basically free labor.
Regional Price Realities
Where you live changes everything. In rural Maine, you might find a guy with a processor who will sell you a cord for $250 because the trees are basically in his backyard. In suburban Chicago? You’re looking at $450 easy.
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- The South: You’ll find lots of Hickory and Pecan. Prices are usually moderate, but the season is shorter, so there’s less competition.
- The West: A lot of Softwood like Cedar and Fir. It’s cheaper, but you need more of it to get through the night.
- The Northeast: Heavily dominated by Oak and Maple. High demand means high prices.
Practical Steps for Your Next Order
Don't just call the first number you see on a roadside sign. You want to be smart about this. Start by asking for the specific species of wood. If they say "mixed hardwood," ask what the percentage is. You don't want a "mixed" load that is 90% poplar and 10% oak.
Measure your stove or fireplace before you order. Most standard cuts are 16 inches. If you have a small wood stove and they deliver 22-inch logs, you are going to be out there with a chainsaw for three days. It’s a nightmare. Confirm the length before the truck leaves their yard.
Ask how the wood was seasoned. "Air-dried" is fine, but it needs to have been stacked for at least a year. If they say it was "cut this summer," it’s not ready. It’s just not.
Finally, get a moisture meter. They cost about $20 on Amazon. When the truck arrives, pull a piece from the middle of the pile, split it, and test the center. If it’s over 20%, tell the driver you aren't paying full price for unseasoned wood. It sounds harsh, but it’s your money and your chimney on the line.
Keep your wood off the ground once it's delivered. Use pallets or a dedicated rack. Cover the top to keep rain off, but leave the sides open so air can circulate. If you wrap the whole thing in a tarp, you’re just making a giant humidor and the wood will rot.
Buying firewood is a bit of an art form. Once you find a reliable seller who delivers honest cords of dry wood, keep their number forever. Treat them well, pay them in cash, and maybe even give them a tip. A good wood guy is worth his weight in gold when January rolls around and the mercury drops below zero.