Buc-ee’s mega travel centers, famed for spotless restrooms and brisket sandwiches, storm into seven new states this year alone, reshaping America’s road trip map forever.
Story Highlights
- Buc-ee’s targets Arizona, Arkansas, Kansas, Louisiana, North Carolina, Ohio, and Wisconsin for first stores by 2027.
- 2026 openings kick off with Ohio’s Huber Heights on April 6, Arizona’s Goodyear on June 22, and Arkansas’ Benton in August.
- Each site spans 70,000+ square feet with 100+ fuel pumps, creating 200+ jobs per location.
- Expansions hit existing states like Texas (San Marcos, July 2026) and Tennessee (Murfreesboro, 2027).
- Family-owned chain founded in 1982 eyes 20-state footprint, boosting local economies nationwide.
2026 Openings Launch the Expansion Wave
Ohio residents celebrated Buc-ee’s first store opening in Huber Heights on April 6, 2026. The 74,000-square-foot center near I-70 features 120 pumps and draws crowds for fresh food and merchandise. Arizona follows with Goodyear on June 22, 2026, at a prime interstate spot. Arkansas’ Benton site targets early to mid-August 2026 along I-30, as confirmed by local leaders like Chair Bill Eldridge. Texas adds its 37th store in San Marcos in July 2026.
Locations for new Buc-ee's locations have been unveiled as the popular gas station chain expands into several new U.S. states. https://t.co/Lylb9W73JI
— FOX 9 (@FOX9) May 11, 2026
2027 Pipeline Targets Midwest and Southeast
Wisconsin’s Oak Creek location plans an early 2027 debut at I-94 and Elm Road, boasting 73,370 square feet and 120 pumps. Louisiana’s Ruston site at I-20 and Tarbutton Road aims for mid-2027 with over 70,000 square feet and 100+ pumps. Kansas City, Kansas, nears I-70 and West Village Parkway for a 2027 opening in a 74,000-square-foot facility. North Carolina’s Mebane store eyes late 2027 after construction began in late 2025.
Founder Arch Aplin Drives Family-Owned Growth
Arch “Beaver” Aplin founded Buc-ee’s in 1982 in Lake Jackson, Texas, starting as a single convenience store. The chain pioneered mega travel centers in the 2010s, earning a Guinness record for the world’s largest at 75,000 square feet in Luling, Texas, in 2024. Aplin emphasizes livable wages and ideal highway locations, as stated at the Benton groundbreaking. Family ownership avoids investor pressures, fueling steady expansion from 55 stores in 12 states toward 20 states by 2028.
Economic Boost Aligns with Conservative Values
Each Buc-ee’s generates 200-300 jobs with competitive pay, mirroring Mississippi’s overnight emergence as the state’s largest private employer. Cities like Benton gain traffic and tax revenue along key interstates. This pro-business model creates opportunities without government handouts, embodying self-reliance and community investment. Local officials, from Goodyear’s mayor to Oak Creek’s government, champion the developments for tourism and infrastructure upgrades. Travelers benefit from superior cleanliness over rivals like Pilot or Love’s.
Buc-ee's set to debut in 6 new states in major expansion push across US https://t.co/C0l3i5sQi1 pic.twitter.com/6AyDXWGHM3
— NY Post Business (@nypostbiz) May 11, 2026
Challenges and Cult Appeal Persist
Buc-ee’s cult status stems from brisket sandwiches, beaver merchandise, and restrooms that outshine competitors—addressing real road warrior pain points post-COVID travel surge. Minor hurdles include traffic congestion and zoning debates, yet no major opposition surfaces. Reports vary slightly on state counts (six to seven) and exact North Carolina dates, but core timelines hold firm. This expansion pressures the fragmented convenience sector toward larger formats, rewarding innovation with market dominance.
Sources:
Buc-ee’s reveals locations sites for major expansion into new states
Buc-ee’s to open new locations in six new states – Fox Business
Buc-ee’s Gas Station Empire Is Expanding Into Seven New States
Buc-ee’s is expanding to new states. Here’s where | The Independent
Buc-Ee’s Is Expanding Into At Least 6 More States — Here’s Where
