Buc-ee’s Is Opening 5 New Locations in 2026 (Including in 1 New State)

The great Wawa vs. Sheetz debate might be won by a cartoon beaver. Buc-ee's is moving into new territories in 2026, and their mixture of country store and gas station, combined with a beloved beaver mascot, is sure to lure customers away from the classics.

Buc-ee's has gained a name for itself far beyond its relatively small footprint by becoming a favored pit stop on road trips. In addition to food, fuel, and other conveniences, they're also known for their top-quality bathrooms. Customers of other convenience stores are seeing rising prices that force new and creative ways to stretch a restaurant budget, and Buc-ee's could very well tempt some of those dollars away with their unique menu and practical store offerings.

Founded in Texas in 1982, Buc-ee's has built a devoted following thanks to its oversized travel centers, extensive food selection, spotless restrooms, and exclusive merchandise. Unlike a typical convenience store, each location is designed to be a destination where travelers can fuel up, grab fresh barbecue, browse gifts, and stock up on snacks before getting back on the road. As the company expands into more states, fans are eagerly tracking every announced opening. The locations below represent the latest confirmed expansion plans and are expected to bring hundreds of jobs and millions of annual visitors to their communities.

See which lucky states are getting their first Buc-ee's, and learn everything we know so far about their 2026 expansion plans.

History of Buc-ee's

Buc-ee's was born in the Texan wilds of the early '80s and has been expanding to other states since 2018. Their northward expansion has brought their total store footprint up to more than 50 locations — but they're not done growing yet.

The company opened its first travel center in 2003 and began expanding beyond Texas with its first out-of-state location in Alabama in 2018. Since then, Buc-ee's has steadily added stores across the South and Midwest while maintaining its focus on large-format travel centers rather than smaller convenience stores. The chain has also become known for carrying fresh brisket sandwiches, homemade fudge, roasted nuts, beef jerky, and branded apparel that can't be purchased directly from an official online store. This deliberate strategy encourages customers to visit locations in person, helping each new opening become a regional attraction.

In contrast to many corporate expansion plans, Buc-ee's is steadfastly ignoring an online storefront and is only available through third parties for any online purchases. Here's where new locations will be popping up in 2026.

Arkansas

• Benton: Interstate 30 and Highway 229 (Aug. 17, 2026)

Benton residents are excited for the state's first Buc-ee's to finish construction and are pleased the opening date will be mid-August.

The travel center is expected to create over 200 jobs in the region and attract an estimated 3 million visitors each year. The additional spending from travelers passing through is anticipated to help boost the local economy.

The Benton location marks Buc-ee's debut in Arkansas and is expected to become a major stop for travelers along Interstate 30 between Little Rock and Texarkana. Plans call for approximately 120 fuel pumps and a full-sized travel center offering the chain's signature food items, gift shop, and famously clean restrooms. Local officials expect the project to increase tourism spending while generating additional tax revenue for the community. The opening also continues Buc-ee's strategy of expanding into fast-growing highway corridors that experience heavy regional traffic.

Tennessee

• Murfreesboro: I-24 and Joe B. Jackson Parkway (Fall 2026)

Over 5 million visitors per year are expected to visit this new Buc-ee's location planned for this fall. The new location will have 120 gasoline pumps and will be the fourth Buc-ee's in the state.

Located along one of Tennessee's busiest interstate corridors, the Murfreesboro travel center is designed to serve both local residents and travelers heading between Nashville and Chattanooga. Plans filed with the city show the project includes Buc-ee's signature large-format convenience store along with extensive fueling capacity and parking. Like other new Buc-ee's locations, it is expected to feature fresh barbecue, bakery items, fudge, jerky, branded merchandise, and the chain's well-known clean restrooms. The store is anticipated to become one of the busiest travel stops in Middle Tennessee after opening.

Texas

• San Marcos: 3245 N. I-35 (Aug. 12, 2026)

Texas is the home state of Buc-ee's, but they're not done expanding there yet. The new San Marcos location is expected to bring $5.9 million in property taxes to the area over the next 15 years, in addition to half of the store's sales tax.

The San Marcos travel center will span approximately 74,000 square feet and include 128 fuel pumps, making it one of the chain's largest locations. Buc-ee's expects the store to create more than 200 jobs with competitive pay and benefits. Positioned along the heavily traveled I-35 corridor between Austin and San Antonio, the location is intended to accommodate growing traffic while giving travelers another convenient stop for fuel, fresh food, and shopping. Local officials have also highlighted the project's long-term economic benefits through job creation and increased commercial activity.

Future openings

The Buc-ee's beaver mascot is going to continue to pop up in new places for the next two years, with many sites planned for 2027 and 2028. Next year will see grand openings in Ruston, Louisiana; Kansas City, Kansas; Gallaway, Tennessee; Monroe County, Georgia; St. Lucie, Florida; and Boerne, Texas.

Then, 2028 will bring new locations to Mebane, North Carolina; Lafayette, Louisiana; Ocala, Florida; and Gretna, Nebraska. Following that, in 2029, new locations will open in West Memphis, Arkansas; and Oak Grove, Kentucky.

Buc-ee's expansion strategy continues to focus on high-traffic interstate routes where its oversized travel centers can serve both long-distance travelers and local residents. While opening timelines occasionally shift because of construction schedules, infrastructure improvements, or permitting, the company has confirmed that additional locations remain in development across multiple states. Each new store typically includes a full-service bakery, hot food stations, extensive fuel pumps, and thousands of square feet devoted to snacks, gifts, and travel essentials. As more locations open, Buc-ee's footprint is expected to grow well beyond its traditional Southern base.

Bottom line

All of Buc-ee's travel centers include a bakery, brisket station, and fudge bar, in addition to the typical rest stop offerings of convenience stores. They also feature a large collection of beef jerky flavors and branded merch with the fashion stylings of everybody's favorite beaver mascot.

And if you're visiting Buc-ee's for the first time, be sure to bring your favorite cash back credit cards — you'll likely want to spend more than expected on all the unique offerings. 

What sets Buc-ee's apart is that it functions as more than a gas station. Many travelers plan their road trips around Buc-ee's stops because they can refuel, grab freshly prepared meals, shop for gifts, and stock up on snacks in one place. From house-made fudge and barbecue to seasonal merchandise and dozens of jerky varieties, there's plenty to browse before hitting the road again. As the chain expands into new states, even more drivers will have the opportunity to see why Buc-ee's has developed such a loyal following and become one of the country's most recognizable travel center brands.

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