Do you have to pay to enter a junkyard?
At a self-service yard, usually yes, but not much. Among the yards in our five states that post a gate fee, it runs from $1 to $5, and $3 is the most common. You pay at the counter on the way in, and the fee covers your time in the rows, not any parts. A full-service yard, where staff pull the part and bring it to the counter, normally charges nothing to walk in because you never go past the front. Self-service yards also set a minimum age. Most of the ones that post a rule say 16 and a few say 18, so bring ID in case the counter asks.
Checked Oct 30, 2026