We RVers see our fair share of roadside pitstops. But one stands above the rest. Far above. That’s Buc-ee’s roadside stores. First, realize that your Buc-ee’s visit will not be your ordinary “fuel-quick-and-get-back-on-the-road” kind of stop! Instead, this roadside mega-store will cause your jaw to drop. Your eyes will go wide, and you may even forget your urgency to locate the restrooms! No, really.
“Go big or go home” might be an apt motto for the Buc-ee’s brand. They’ve certainly upped the ante among convenience stores. Read on and you’ll see what I mean.
Buc-ee’s
The Buc-ee’s brand originated in Texas. In 1982, co-owners Arch (“Beaver”) Aplin and Don Wasek set out to make their travel stops the very best in the world. Their marketing strategy? The promise of clean restrooms. Yep, all along the Texas highways, Buc-ee’s billboards teased travelers with this promise. And it worked! Turns out, travelers wanted clean restrooms. (Don’t we all?)
Buc-ee’s famously clean restrooms
Fun fact: In 2012, Cintas, a business services company, conducted a national contest for the nation’s cleanest restrooms. Buc-ee’s won! Overwhelmingly so! Of course, it takes a round-the-clock, dedicated cleaning crew to keep the toilets sparkling, but the dedication pays off. “If given a choice,” one happy customer smiled, “I’d choose Buc-ee’s over any other travel center! It’s so clean. And big. It’s got everything a road warrior could hope for!”
Fueling
Obviously you can fuel your RV at a Buc-ee’s. The newer stations offer plenty of space to maneuver your rig into position. Each fuel pump offers both diesel and regular. Some stores even feature ethanol-free fuel and DEF. The big bonus is that you won’t navigate around any tractor trailers. Commercial over-the-road big rigs are not permitted at Buc-ee’s.
Big and better
In 2012, Buc-ee’s opened a humongous store in New Braunfels, Texas. This travel center is officially the largest convenience store in the world. Don’t believe me? It’s approximately 68,000 square feet! That’s big. Even for Texas! With 120 gas pumps and 1,000 parking spots, you can fuel up and make use of the restroom with virtually no wait—ever!
Still, do not plan on getting back on the road anytime soon. It will take a while to choose a snack, buy a souvenir, and simply stare in amazement and wonder.
Other Buc-ee’s amenities
If you’ve ever wished for it, Buc-ee’s probably stocks it! Here are a few of the products you can expect to find at Buc-ee’s:
- Souvenirs. Add to your collection of shot glasses, magnets, or T-shirts. Or let the kids press a penny!
- Food. Buc-ee’s offers cheesesteak burritos, BBQ brisket sandwiches, breakfast tacos, and a yummy pastrami Rueben sandwich, among a plethora of other meal options.
- Snacks. Probably the most famous snack is Buc-ee’s Beaver Nuggets (sweet, crunchy puffed corn). But you can also find a wide variety of dried fruit and vegetables, along with trail mixes in various flavors. There is an amazing variety of jerky, and you can pick up some unusual snacks like pickled quail eggs, candied jalapenos, and mayhaw jelly, too! Oh, and don’t forget to pick up some candied nuts (made on-premises) before you leave.
- Clothing. You’ll find swimsuits, T-shirts, sweatshirts, shorts, and so much more! Grab a Buc-ee’s hat as a souvenir if you like. Although I doubt you’ll ever forget your Buc-ee’s experience.
Not just in Texas
Buc-ee’s has expanded and now has stores in Alabama, Georgia, and Florida, as well as several stores in Texas. Plans are to continue the expansion to include the states of Missouri, Colorado, Kentucky, Mississippi, Tennessee, and South Carolina.
Do you have a favorite travel convenience store? Have you ever visited a Buc-ee’s? Share your thoughts in the comments, please.
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We love Buc-ees and have for many years living in TX. In fact, two of our grandkids at a very young age wrote their own jingle which has stuck in our family. It starts “Let’s all go to Buc-ees . . .” and it adds to the joy of the visit, as well as the super clean, super nice restrooms and of course the must have barbecue! Thank you Buc-ees! Keep expanding east as we travel to VA often! And, sorry truckers. It is just nicer to avoid the crowded lots, idling noise and polluted air that you contribute. Hey, you still have the other travel centers even if they aren’t so nice.
Hello…Just returned from Florida, and my first Buc ee’s experience was awesome !! Is it Possible that Buc ee’s will make it into Central Virginia 🤔
My first stop at a Bucee’s was on a trip from Austin to Ft. Worth. It was awesome! I was so excited to see the sign for Bucee’s on our trip from Indiana to Florida (Georgia).
I’m old-school. Grew up in Central Texas. As a kid we traveled to see family in Washington. Our gas stops were “Stuckey’s”, so I see our new replacement (Modern Day travel stop) Buckees!!
Stuckeys to Buckees!!
Definitely make a stop every time I travel, BBQ sandwiches to the travel snacks my favorite!! Love all the gift ideas as well. Shawn B
My favorite fueling stop while in the RV is a TA or Petro because of the deep discounts we get there via the TSD Logistics fuel card. As to bathroom, we almost always use the one in the RV. As to souvenirs, we don’t buy them at fuel stops, and rarely elsewhere (we take pictures instead). I think that I saw a Buckees once, but maybe not. Our rig is 43′ and we tend to mostly travel interstates. Buckees sounds like a good distraction to avoid.
FYI, the Richmond, KY is open!
Texas A&M Aggie owned and operated!
Good to know, thank you!
I was on my way to see my daughter and family after their move from MN to Houston. I kept seeing these signs for Buc-ees. I called her and asked “What the heck is Buc-ees?” She said “stop and see!” What a blast! I stocked up on Pecan Honey Butter for me and several types of jerky for S-I-L and fudge for daughter. It became a compulsory stop for bi-annual trips to TX. Now they live in Nashville — closest Buc-ees will be Knoxville — boo hoo!
Buc-ees will be opening in Crossville, TN in July… (Right off I-40) : )
There will be a Buc-ees just north of Bowling Green, KY on I65 very soon!
Agreed. Buc-ee’s is the best! I tried them for the first time this winter, and was blown away at everything that they do, and especially the spotless washrooms. If they are on our route, we stop.
There is now a place called Wally’s, one on I-55 in Pontiac, Illinois and one just opened on I-44 in the St. Louis area. I’m guessing the founder got the idea from Bucee’s, since it’s pretty much an exact copycat.
It’s not Top Tier gas so I only go there if there is no Top Tier easily available.
Love Buc-ee’s!! Was just at the St. Augustine FL location yesterday. Made a special trip.
Buc-ees Has True American Values!
Best!
Never heard of Buc-ees until this article. If they are coming to Colorado and are such a big deal, you would think we would have seen or read something in the local media. We heard about In & Out Burger and Krispy Kreme for months, maybe years, before they opened their first stores here. Maybe a gas station just doesn’t garner the same mass excitement that a new donut or hamburger franchise creates.
I live in Arvada and have known about the new Buc-ees in Johnstown for months. I CAN’T WAIT. You must get your news from facebook.
We love Buc-ees!! Owned and Operated with “Conservative American Values”..
Buc-ees is one of the few things we actually miss from our years in Texas, but we’ll soon have one open here in Crossville, TN. Just so everyone knows, you don’t have to share their “Conservative American Values” to shop there or get fuel. They also welcome those with other than “Conservative Values”.
Ditto as to Buc-ee’s is the BEST ever!!!
We finally got one in St Augustine. Hurrah!
There’s no over nighting here. It seems like that would be a natural thing to offer, but it’s a neat place anyway.
What a great place to stop. Had the opportunity to stop at a Buc-ee’s several times in the last year and a half. Great restrooms and a convenient place to gas up.
They truly do it right!