Buc-ee’s Expansion Alert: that phrase is turning heads from Ohio to South Carolina. The iconic Texas‑born mega gas station and travel center chain is rolling out 17 new locations across five U.S. states, creating a wave of excitement from road‑trip junkies to business planners and economic developers. These travel hubs are more than simple fuel stops — they’re massive destinations with jobs, community impact, and cultural relevance that keep people talking. Since its founding in 1982 in Texas, Buc‑ee’s has grown from a local convenience store into a national travel‑center powerhouse, known for enormous facilities, spotless bathrooms, mountain‑high snack aisles, and a loyal fan base that plans entire road trips around its stops. This friendly, authoritative guide breaks down what’s happening, where it’s happening, why it matters, and what you should know — whether you’re a traveler, a local business leader, or just roadside‑curious.
Table of Contents
Buc-ee’s Expansion Alert
The Buc‑ee’s expansion — with *17 new mega gas stations across Ohio, Florida, Tennessee, Arkansas, and South Carolina — represents a transformational moment for American road travel and retail. These travel centers aren’t just filling up tanks; they’re fueling local economies, reshaping interstate convenience, creating jobs, and redefining what a roadside stop can be. From Ohio’s first Buc‑ee’s traveling corridor to powerhouse destinations on I‑95, the roadmap ahead shows that the chain’s appeal goes far beyond gasoline. For locals, travelers, and economic planners alike, these expansions offer exciting opportunities and thoughtful challenges. Roadside America will never look the same.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Company | Buc‑ee’s Holdings, Inc. |
| Founded | 1982 in Clute, Texas |
| Current Locations | ~54 U.S. stores |
| New Expansion | 17 new travel center locations across 5 states |
| States with New Stores | Ohio, Florida, Tennessee, Arkansas, South Carolina |
| Typical Store Size | 70,000+ sq. ft. retail + fueling area |
| Typical Fuel Pumps | 100+ pumps |
| Features | EV charging, massive parking, food and merchandise |
| Official Website | https://buc-ees.com/ |
What Is Buc‑ee’s — A Quick but Deep Look
At its core, Buc‑ee’s is an American retail and travel center chain that’s become famous for turning a simple roadside stop into a full‑blown destination. Started by Arch “Beaver” Aplin III and Don Wasek in 1982, the brand began as a modest gas station and convenience store in Texas and eventually built its first mega travel center in 2003.
A typical Buc‑ee’s travel center includes:
- Wide‑open retail space stocked with snacks, drinks, BBQ brisket, fudge, branded merch, and quirky items.
- 100+ fuel pumps — way more than most convenience stores.
- EV charging stations as electric vehicles become mainstream.
- Massive parking lots that feel like mini shopping‑center lots.
- Clean, award‑winning restrooms with nearly cult‑like fame — so much so that they’ve inspired billboards and TikToks.
Nowadays, Buc‑ee’s exists in over 50 locations nationwide, spanning multiple states, with plans for further expansion into new regions. This aggressive rollout reflects not just business growth but a transformation of roadside travel culture in the U.S..
Why This Buc-ee’s Expansion Alert Is Big News?
Let’s be clear: this isn’t just another gas station rollout. Buc‑ee’s expansion has implications for travelers, local economies, industries, and infrastructure.
1. Road Trips Get Better
Buc‑ee’s knows the pain points of long drives — clean restrooms, plenty of gas pumps, space to stretch your legs, and decent food. New locations fill in gaps between major interstates, reducing “range anxiety” and giving drivers reliable places to stop. This especially matters in rural Midwest and Southeast corridors where services can be sparse.
2. Local Economies Get a Boost
Each new Buc‑ee’s is a major investment:
- New travel centers typically generate 200+ local jobs, both during and after construction.
- They boost tax revenue and support ancillary businesses like roadside motels, diners, and tourism attractions.
- They often attract related commercial activity — think fast‑casual restaurants, hotels, and retail clusters.
For example, a new Buc‑ee’s in Monroe County, Georgia, received final approval with local officials estimating 200 jobs and millions in annual sales tax benefits.
3. Cultural Impact
Buc‑ee’s isn’t just another convenience store. It’s a roadside cultural icon — complete with merchandise, fan communities, and even collaborations (like a recent Texas A&M campus snack partnership). People plan vacations around them, and communities highlight them in marketing materials.
In fact, Buc‑ee’s was recently named No. 1 on Newsweek’s “America’s Best Retailers 2025” list, beating out established competitors — a testament to how beloved the brand has become.
Detailed Breakdown Buc-ee’s Expansion Alert of the 17 New Locations
Here are the five states where the new Buc‑ee’s travel centers will go — plus what we know about each:
Ohio — First Buc‑ee’s in the Buckeye State
Huber Heights, OH — Expected 2026
Ohio will finally get its first Buc‑ee’s, located near Dayton. This site is slated to include:
- ~120 fuel pumps
- ~24 EV charging stations
- ~200+ jobs for local workers
- A huge (~74,000 sq. ft.) retail footprint
Construction delays have pushed the opening to spring 2026, after weather and project timelines shifted earlier plans.
This center doesn’t just serve gas and snacks — it becomes an economic and traffic anchor for the area.
Florida — Major Southeast Growth
St. Lucie County & Ocala
Florida continues to expand its Buc‑ee’s footprint:
- St. Lucie County (I‑95 & Indrio Road) — targeted 2027 opening with hundreds of parking spaces and a massive travel hub.
- Ocala (I‑75) — targeted 2028 opening to serve north‑south traffic flows.
Florida’s booming population and tourist traffic make it an ideal growth market.
Tennessee — Heartland Travel Boost
Murfreesboro & Gallaway — Planned for 2027
Tennessee’s expansion caters to major interstate traffic on I‑24 and I‑40, adding high‑capacity stops near fast‑growing cities.
Arkansas — First Buc‑ee’s in the Natural State
Benton (2027) & West Memphis (2028)
This expansion places Buc‑ee’s squarely in Arkansas for the first time, anchoring travel through central Arkansas and the Mississippi River region.
South Carolina — I‑95 Corridor Expansion
Hardeeville (2031)
Located off I‑95, this facility will serve East Coast travel corridors between Florida and the Northeast, a key tourism and freight route.
Timeline Snapshot (Tentative)
Planned openings cluster around:
- 2026: Ohio, Arizona, Texas, Mississippi openings continue.
- 2027: Arkansas, Tennessee, Kansas openings.
- 2028: Florida, North Carolina, West Memphis.
- 2031: South Carolina.
Keep in mind dates are tentative and subject to construction and local infrastructure alignment.
How Buc‑ee’s Reinvents Travel Centers (Business Model)
What sets Buc‑ee’s apart isn’t randomness — it’s strategy. Traditional gas station chains like QuikTrip and 7‑Eleven focus on convenience. Buc‑ee’s goes beyond convenience into experience and destination retailing:
- Large retail space encourages browsing, meals, and shopping — not just a quick gas fill‑up.
- In‑house food offerings (barbecue, kolaches, homemade fudge) elevate the stop into a mini culinary experience.
- Merchandise and branded products turn customers into brand ambassadors.
- Roadside billboards with catchy messages create anticipation before you arrive — building the brand outside the walls of the store.
This “experience economy” approach is part of why Buc‑ee’s draws crowds and loyalty.
Real‑World Tips for Travelers & Communities
For Travelers
Plan ahead: Use apps to see fuel prices, and check Buc‑ee’s website before long road trips.
Expect crowds near openings: Grand openings often draw long lines and social media traffic.
Budget for inside purchases: Once inside, it’s easy to spend on snacks, gifts, and unique merch.
For Local Leaders & Businesses
Prepare for infrastructure changes: New travel centers often require road improvements and traffic flow upgrades.
Develop workforce pipelines: Buc‑ee’s tends to hire locally, creating opportunities in retail, food service, and facilities.
Leverage tourism marketing: A Buc‑ee’s can become a regionally advertised point of interest.
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