Remember the days when a nationwide coin shortage had us all scrambling for spare change? While the height of the COVID-19 pandemic brought about some surprising shortages, including a temporary scarcity of quarters, the good news is those days are largely behind us.
But what if you still find yourself needing a roll of quarters? Whether it’s for those classic arcade games, a trip to the laundromat, or even just to have some change on hand, knowing where to reliably get quarters is still useful. This guide will walk you through the best and most convenient places to get your hands on a roll of quarters today.
Top Spots to Secure Your Roll of Quarters
Luckily, finding quarters isn’t as challenging as it once was. Here are several places where you can typically obtain the rolls of quarters you need for your various coin-operated activities:
1. Your Local Bank: The Go-To for Larger Quantities
When you need a substantial amount of quarters – say, $10 or more – your bank is generally the most reliable option. Banks stock quarters in rolls of $10, each containing 40 quarters. This amount is often perfect for laundry or a good session at the arcade.
For bank customers, acquiring a roll of quarters is usually a straightforward process. Simply visit a bank teller – ATMs typically don’t dispense rolls of coins – and request the amount you need. You can withdraw the funds directly from your account or exchange cash, like a $10 bill, for the coins. Keeping your request in multiples of $10 simplifies the transaction.
However, bank policies can vary, particularly for non-customers. To save yourself a potentially wasted trip, it’s wise to call ahead and inquire about their policies on coin exchanges for non-account holders. Additionally, some banks might have limits on the number of rolls you can obtain in a single visit. If you require more than a couple of rolls, you might need to visit multiple bank branches.
2. Grocery Stores: Convenience with a Purchase
Grocery stores offer a couple of avenues for obtaining quarters, with varying degrees of success. The simplest approach is to head to the customer service desk and request to exchange a $10 bill for a roll of quarters. However, be prepared for the clerk to potentially decline, especially if you are not a paying customer at that moment.
Alternatively, incorporate your quarter quest into your grocery shopping. Proceed to the checkout lanes. You’ll likely need to make a small purchase, perhaps a piece of candy, to prompt the cashier to open the register. Once it’s open, politely inquire if you can exchange a few dollars for quarters.
If a direct exchange is refused, you can try paying for your purchase with cash. Use a larger bill than needed – for instance, a $5 bill for a $1 item – and specifically request quarters as part of your change. Another tactic is to pay with your debit card and request cash back in the form of quarters.
Keep in mind that grocery stores typically maintain a limited amount of change in their registers. Therefore, you’re unlikely to obtain more than a few dollars’ worth of quarters through these methods. For larger quantities, a bank remains the more suitable option.
3. Convenience Stores: Open Late, Potential for Change
While not ideal for extensive grocery shopping due to limited selection and potentially higher prices, convenience stores offer advantages when you’re on a quarter hunt.
Firstly, they handle numerous cash transactions daily, increasing the likelihood of having change available. Secondly, they often operate during hours when banks and other businesses are closed, providing accessibility outside of typical business hours.
To get quarters at a convenience store, simply approach the register and request to exchange a few dollars for quarters. Similar to grocery stores, making a small purchase beforehand might be necessary to have the cashier open the till.
A word of caution: late at night, cashiers might be more hesitant to part with too much change. The cash in their drawer is often what they rely on until the next day’s bank deposit.
4. Pharmacies: Late-Night Option with Shorter Lines
Pharmacies, particularly drugstore chains like CVS and Walgreens, are another type of establishment often open late into the evening. They usually have coins in their registers and are often willing to exchange a small amount, a couple of dollars’ worth, for customers. Plus, pharmacy lines are often shorter than those at busy grocery stores.
Like other retail locations, pharmacies will likely require a small purchase before they can open the register to provide change. And, similar to convenience stores, they probably won’t be able to provide more than a few dollars in quarters.
5. Gas Stations: Change While Fueling Up
Gas stations, frequently open for extended hours, often have cash registers containing smaller denominations of change. If the gas station has an attached convenience store, you can go inside and request change at the register or customer service counter.
As with other stores, making a small purchase may be required first. You could pay with a larger bill and ask for quarters as part of your change or use your debit card and request cash back, specifying quarters if possible. While you might not get a full roll, you can ask for any quarters they can spare.
If the gas station only has pumps and an attendant, you could get change by prepaying for gas in cash. Pay for more gas than you anticipate needing, then go back inside for your change. However, this method might not always yield quarters, as not all gas stations accept coins as payment, meaning they may not have quarters readily available as change.
6. Fast Food Restaurants: Quick Change with a Meal
Fast food establishments are another type of business that frequently deals in cash transactions. While most don’t have dedicated customer service desks, you can inquire about change at the ordering counter. To avoid holding up lines and inconveniencing other customers, try to do this during less busy times.
You will likely need to purchase something to have the register opened. As in other stores, you can pay with cash and request quarters in your change. Just don’t expect to get more than a few dollars’ worth of quarters this way.
If the fast food place has a tip jar on the counter, you can also ask to exchange dollars for quarters from the jar. Cashiers are often agreeable to this, as bills are easier to manage than a large amount of loose change. Always ask permission before taking change from a tip jar.
7. Vending Machines: A Transaction for Change
Most vending machines accept dollar bills and dispense change in coins, frequently quarters. You could insert a dollar bill, make a small purchase like a $1.50 item, and receive a couple of quarters back as change.
However, this method isn’t guaranteed to provide quarters. The machine might dispense dimes or nickels if it’s low on quarters. Also, you’ll only get a limited number of quarters per transaction. You’d need to make multiple small purchases to accumulate a roll’s worth.
There’s also a less reliable “hack” for some soda machines: inserting a dollar and immediately pressing the “return change” button. Some machines might dispense quarters in response, but others may simply return your dollar bill. And again, you might end up with other coins instead of quarters.
8. Laundromats: Change Machines and On-Site Exchanges
Laundromats, especially older ones, often rely on coin-operated machines. They require quarters to function, so they often have change machines available for customer use. Laundromats without change machines might offer change at a counter, though often limited to a few dollars’ worth.
Be aware that some laundromat machines don’t dispense quarters. Instead, they might issue tokens that are only usable within that specific laundromat. Additionally, some laundromats might not provide change unless you are actually doing laundry. It’s a good idea to call or inquire at the counter about their change policies before assuming you can simply exchange cash for quarters.
While many laundromats are open 24/7, change services might not be available around the clock. Staff might not be present late at night, and even if someone is on duty, the register containing change might be locked.
9. Car Washes: Coin-Operated and Change Ready
Coin-operated car washes also heavily rely on quarters. These establishments typically have change machines located in the office area or near the entrance. Car washes without change machines may offer change at a customer service desk.
Similar to laundromats, some car washes may use tokens instead of quarters. Always double-check what type of “change” the machine or attendant provides to ensure you receive legal tender if that’s your goal.
10. Arcades: Quarter Central for Gamers
Video game arcades, while less common than in previous decades, are still around. And if you happen to have one nearby – or a restaurant or bar with retro arcade games – they can be excellent places to get quarters.
Classic arcade games are designed to accept quarters exclusively. Because of this, most arcades have either change machines or a cashier at a desk with a substantial supply of quarters on hand.
As with laundromats and car washes, verify whether the machines dispense quarters or arcade-specific tokens before inserting your money. Tokens won’t be usable outside of that particular arcade.
11. Retail Chains: Customer Service and Checkout Options
Major retail chains like Walmart or Target have customer service desks and checkout lanes where you can request change. However, similar to other stores on this list, they might decline if you haven’t made a purchase.
If a purchase is necessary to get change, try to select something you can genuinely use. A small consumable item, like a bottle of water or a single piece of fruit, is a practical choice. Alternatively, consider buying a refill of a regularly used household item, such as shampoo.
12. Getting Change Back from Purchases: A Guaranteed Method
While cashiers at various stores might not always be willing or able to provide change without a purchase, they are obligated to give you change when you pay in cash for an item. Therefore, the most reliable way to get a few quarters at a retail store is to buy something.
When paying for your purchase with cash, you can specifically request to receive as much of your change as possible in quarters. You can also make the same request when getting cash back with a debit card transaction.
13. Friends, Family, and Coworkers: Your Personal Coin Network
If you need quarters quickly, consider simply asking your social circle. Friends, family members, and coworkers may be happy to offload loose change from their pockets, wallets, or purses in exchange for bills.
However, during times of coin scarcity, individuals might be less inclined to part with their quarters. Be understanding if people decline your request. And if they do help you out, be ready to reciprocate the favor when they need change in the future.
Final Thoughts on Finding Quarters
Quarters may not be as essential to daily transactions as they once were. Credit cards, debit cards, and mobile payment apps have become increasingly prevalent.
Even machines traditionally reliant on quarters are adapting to alternative payment methods. Vending machines, train ticket kiosks, and even parking meters frequently accept card payments. Laundromats, car washes, and arcades are increasingly using their own token systems. And toll roads commonly accept electronic payment passes like E-ZPass or SunPass.
However, quarters still serve a purpose. Older laundromats, vending machines, and similar establishments continue to rely on them. And they’re undeniably useful for situations like garage sales or flea markets where cash transactions are common.
Keeping a small stash of quarters on hand can be a practical idea. Even if you don’t use them frequently, you never know when they might be needed. By visiting a bank or convenience store for a roll of quarters today, you can ensure you’re prepared for those moments when loose change comes in handy.
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