How Much Does Firewood, dry softwood (pine/fir) Weigh?
Dry softwood such as pine, fir, or cedar. Burns faster than hardwood. Eastern white pine averages ~2,200–2,400 lbs/cord dry; Douglas fir runs higher at ~2,500–2,800 lbs/cord.
Dry softwood firewood — pine, fir, and cedar are the common choices — is lower density than hardwood, which means it dries faster and weighs considerably less once seasoned. A cord of dry pine runs about 2,200 to 2,400 lb, while denser Douglas fir can reach 2,500-2,800 lb per cord; either way, it's noticeably lighter than an equivalent load of oak or maple.
That low density also means softwood catches fast and burns hot quickly, but the fire doesn't last as long per split, and the higher resin content in pine and fir leaves more creosote residue in a chimney over time. It's well suited to kindling, quick fires, and shoulder-season heating rather than the long, steady overnight burns hardwood is known for.
What Firewood, dry softwood (pine/fir) Is Used For
- Kindling and fire-starting bundles for both wood stoves and campfires
- Shoulder-season heating in spring and fall when a shorter, hotter burn is enough
- Camping, backyard fire pits, and recreational fires where burn time matters less
- Quick high-heat cooking fires, including pizza ovens and outdoor grilling setups
- Cedar specifically for its aromatic smoke and natural insect-repelling properties
Weight Facts
- Weight per cord
- 2,400 lbs
- Category
- Firewood & Biomass
How Much Firewood, dry softwood (pine/fir) Can Each Truck Carry?
| Truck | Payload | Safe max (cords) | Full bed wt. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ford Maverick | 1,500 lbs | 0.63 | 624 lbs |
| Honda Ridgeline | 1,500 lbs | 0.63 | 636 lbs |
| Chevrolet Colorado (2nd Gen) | 1,400 lbs | 0.58 | 786 lbs |
| Chevrolet Colorado (3rd Gen) | 1,500 lbs | 0.63 | 786 lbs |
| GMC Canyon (2nd Gen) | 1,400 lbs | 0.58 | 786 lbs |
| GMC Canyon (3rd Gen) | 1,450 lbs | 0.60 | 786 lbs |
| Ford Ranger | 1,560 lbs | 0.65 | 812 lbs |
| Nissan Frontier | 1,160 lbs | 0.48 | 752 lbs |
| Toyota Tacoma | 1,100 lbs | 0.46 | 645 lbs |
| Jeep Gladiator | 1,200 lbs | 0.50 | 666 lbs |
| Ford F-150 | 1,525 lbs | 0.64 | 1,168 lbs |
| Chevrolet Silverado 1500 | 1,600 lbs | 0.67 | 1,344 lbs |
| GMC Sierra 1500 | 1,500 lbs | 0.63 | 1,344 lbs |
| RAM 1500 | 1,240 lbs | 0.52 | 1,153 lbs |
| Toyota Tundra | 1,485 lbs | 0.62 | 1,230 lbs |
| Nissan Titan | 1,460 lbs | 0.61 | 1,118 lbs |
| Ford F-250 Super Duty | 3,000 lbs | 1.25 | 1,472 lbs |
| Ford F-350 Super Duty (SRW) | 4,000 lbs | 1.67 | 1,472 lbs |
| Ford F-350 Super Duty (DRW) | 5,500 lbs | 2.29 | 1,472 lbs |
| Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD | 3,200 lbs | 1.33 | 1,566 lbs |
| GMC Sierra 2500HD | 3,200 lbs | 1.33 | 1,566 lbs |
| Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD (DRW) | 5,700 lbs | 2.38 | 1,566 lbs |
| GMC Sierra 3500HD (DRW) | 5,700 lbs | 2.38 | 1,566 lbs |
| RAM 2500 | 1,950 lbs | 0.81 | 1,401 lbs |
| RAM 3500 (DRW) | 6,280 lbs | 2.62 | 1,401 lbs |
⚠ = full bed weight exceeds truck payload. Safe max is by payload rating, not bed volume.
Hauling Firewood, dry softwood (pine/fir): What to Know
Softwood's lower weight means a load is more likely to be limited by bed volume than by payload capacity — you can often haul more cubic feet before hitting a truck's weight rating compared to hardwood. That said, a full cord's 128 cubic feet still won't fit a standard pickup bed in one trip; expect to haul a face cord or half cord at a time just as with any firewood.
Because it's lighter and often split into smaller pieces for kindling, softwood can shift more inside a loosely packed bed — stack it snugly against the cab and secure the load with a net or straps rather than relying on its own weight to hold it in place.
Buying & Ordering Firewood, dry softwood (pine/fir)
Softwood is usually the cheaper option per cord and is common at grocery stores and gas stations sold in small bundles for camping, alongside full cord or face cord delivery from firewood dealers. Ask which species you're getting — pine, fir, and cedar burn and weigh differently — and factor in that its faster burn rate means more frequent reloading than the same volume in hardwood.
Calculate Your Load
“Fill Truck” sets quantity to whichever comes first: payload weight limit or bed volume.
⚠ Overloaded — 900 lbs over capacity
This load exceeds the published payload rating and may damage the truck's suspension, frame, tires, and brakes. Reduce quantity or use a higher-rated truck.
Standard AWD EcoBoost payload. Tremor drops to ~1,140 lbs; the 2025+ Lobo off-road trim is lower still (~1,045 lbs). Check door-jamb sticker.
2 trips needed with your Ford Maverick
Could a rental truck do this in fewer trips?
Firewood, dry softwood (pine/fir) — Frequently Asked Questions
- Why does softwood burn faster than hardwood?
- Pine, fir, and cedar have a less dense cell structure than hardwoods, so there's simply less solid wood mass per split to consume. That lower density is also why softwood is lighter to haul and quicker to season.
- Is pine or fir safe to burn in a wood stove?
- Yes, as long as it's properly dried — the higher resin content does produce more creosote than hardwood, so more frequent chimney cleaning is recommended if softwood makes up a large share of what you burn.
- Do I need a full cord delivery for camping firewood?
- No — small bundles cover a weekend camping trip, while a face cord or half cord delivery makes more sense for regular backyard fire pit use or shoulder-season heating over several weeks.
- How much does Firewood, dry softwood (pine/fir) weigh per cord?
- Firewood, dry softwood (pine/fir) weighs approximately 2,400 lbs per cord. Dry softwood such as pine, fir, or cedar. Burns faster than hardwood. Eastern white pine averages ~2,200–2,400 lbs/cord dry; Douglas fir runs higher at ~2,500–2,800 lbs/cord.
- How much Firewood, dry softwood (pine/fir) can a half-ton truck carry?
- A typical half-ton truck with a 1,500 lb payload can safely carry about 0.63 cords of Firewood, dry softwood (pine/fir).
Related Material Weights
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