Every Buc-ee’s Location in Kentucky (2026): Richmond, Smiths Grove & the Delayed Oak Grove Store
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1013 Buc-ee’s Boulevard, Richmond, KY 40475 (I-75 Exit 83)
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Buc-ee’s Kentucky
Planning a trip through the Bluegrass State? Kentucky currently features 2 fully open Buc-ee’s mega-stores, with a 3rd confirmed location in Oak Grove currently navigating infrastructure delays.
Kentucky’s two operational travel centers give drivers fantastic coverage along the state’s main north-south highway routes:
- Richmond: Situated along Interstate 75 south of Lexington, making it ideal for travelers driving between Cincinnati and Knoxville.
- Smiths Grove: Positioned along Interstate 65 between Louisville and Nashville, serving as the ultimate gateway stop for Mammoth Cave National Park.
A third store planned for Oak Grove (located near Fort Campbell off I-24) originally aimed for a late 2026 opening. However, required redesigns for the I-24 highway exit ramps have temporarily paused the construction schedule. Below is your complete guide to addresses, store amenities, and road trip advice for every Kentucky location.
Pro Tip: Driving between Louisville and Cincinnati or heading south toward Tennessee? Between Richmond on I-75 and Smiths Grove on I-65, you are never more than an hour away from clean restrooms and warm smoked brisket on Kentucky’s major interstates.
Quick Reference: Kentucky Buc-ee’s Locations
Here is a quick look at all open and planned Kentucky Buc-ee’s stores at a glance:
| Location | Status | Highway | Address |
| Richmond | ✅ Open (Since April 2022) | I-75 | 1013 Buc-ee’s Boulevard, Richmond, KY 40475 |
| Smiths Grove | ✅ Open | I-65 | 4001 Smiths Grove-Scottsville Road, Smiths Grove, KY 42171 |
| Oak Grove | 🚧 Delayed (No confirmed date) | I-24 | Near Exit 89 (Exact site being finalized) |
Pro Tip: Both operational Kentucky locations in Richmond and Smiths Grove feature full-service, multi-lane tunnel car washes. They are perfect for washing off highway bugs after a long drive through the Midwest.
Kentucky’s Two Open Buc-ee’s Locations
1. Richmond, Kentucky — Kentucky’s First Buc-ee’s
Quick Store Facts:
- Address: 1013 Buc-ee’s Boulevard, Richmond, KY 40475
- Highway Access: Interstate 75 (Exit 83 in Madison County)
- Fuel Options: Ethanol-free 87 and 90 Octane, DEF (Diesel Exhaust Fluid)
- Opened: April 2022
Richmond made state history in April 2022 by becoming Kentucky’s very first Buc-ee’s. Positioned along I-75 roughly 30 miles south of Lexington, it acts as a major stopping point for drivers traveling between Cincinnati, Ohio, and Knoxville, Tennessee.
This store is heavily used by visitors heading into Lexington (known worldwide as the Horse Capital of the World), fans traveling to University of Kentucky sporting events, and road trippers exploring the famous Kentucky Bourbon Trail. Along with massive food counters and endless merchandise rows, Richmond features a full-service tunnel car wash to keep your vehicle spotless.
Pro Tip: Headed to a UK Wildcats football game in Lexington or kicking off a Bourbon Trail tour? Richmond is the best spot to stock up on cooler ice, cold drinks, and travel snacks before heading into busier city centers.
2. Smiths Grove, Kentucky — The Mammoth Cave Gateway
Quick Store Facts:
- Address: 4001 Smiths Grove-Scottsville Road, Smiths Grove, KY 42171
- Highway Access: Interstate 65 (Exit 28 in Warren County)
- Fuel Options: Ethanol-free 87 and 90 Octane, DEF available
- Opened: May 2024
Giving Kentucky its second travel center, Smiths Grove anchors the busy I-65 corridor connecting two famous music cities. It sits roughly one hour south of Louisville and 75 miles north of Nashville.
The store is located just 30 miles from Mammoth Cave National Park (home to the longest known cave system in the world), making it the natural pit stop for outdoor adventurers exploring Southern Kentucky. Like Richmond, it also includes a full-service car wash and ethanol-free fuel options.
Pro Tip: Driving through during Kentucky Derby week in early May? I-65 northbound through Smiths Grove experiences heavy traffic surges as racegoers head up toward Louisville. Stopping here early in the morning lets you fuel up and grab breakfast before highway traffic builds up.
3. Oak Grove, Kentucky — The Delayed Third Location
Planned Details:
- Location: Near Exit 89 on Highway 115 off Interstate 24 (Christian County)
- Nearby Area: Fort Campbell (Home of the 101st Airborne Division)
- Target Opening: Originally Fall 2026 (Currently delayed)
Oak Grove was announced as Kentucky’s third store to cover the I-24 corridor in Southwestern Kentucky. Its planned position near Fort Campbell makes it a highly anticipated stop for military families, local residents, and long-distance drivers traveling between St. Louis, Nashville, and Atlanta.
However, complex engineering requirements regarding the nearby I-24 exit ramps have temporarily delayed the project. Groundbreaking timelines are currently being reassessed by local and state transportation boards.
Pro Tip: Traveling along I-24 near Fort Campbell before Oak Grove opens? You can still find nearby Buc-ee’s stores just about an hour away along I-65 in Smiths Grove, Kentucky, or down off I-65 in Athens, Alabama.
The Oak Grove Story: Site Selection & Infrastructure Delays
If you have been following the news about Kentucky’s third Buc-ee’s in Oak Grove, you know the project comes with quite a backstory.
Before settling on the current site near Exit 89 off Interstate 24, there was a two-year back-and-forth debate over whether the store should sit at Exit 89 in Kentucky or Exit 1 just across the state line in Tennessee. Ultimately, Oak Grove won out due to its prime location right next to Fort Campbell and the strong support of the local military community.
Why Has the Oak Grove Project Been Delayed?
While originally aiming for a Fall 2026 grand opening, comprehensive traffic and engineering studies revealed that surrounding state roads require major overhauls before a 74,000-square-foot travel center can open safely:
- Intersection Upgrades: Comprehensive road widening required along Highway 115.
- I-24 Exit Ramp Rework: Rebuilding interstate off-ramps to handle heavy passenger vehicle volume.
- New Roundabouts: Designing and installing modern roundabouts to keep local traffic moving smoothly.
Because these highway reconstruction projects require close coordination with state transportation departments, a 2027 opening or later is currently the most realistic timeframe for Oak Grove.
Pro Tip: Do not let project delays worry you. When a Buc-ee’s development faces road delays, it rarely means the store is canceled. It simply means state highway departments are widening access roads first so drivers do not encounter heavy traffic backups once the doors open.d store to cover the I-24 corridor in Southwestern Kentucky. Its planned position near Fort Campbell makes it a highly anticipated stop for military families, local residents, and long-distance drivers traveling between St. Louis, Nashville, and Atlanta.
Kentucky Buc-ee’s: Amenities Comparison
Comparing Kentucky’s open travel centers against the planned Oak Grove location? Here is how their features and highway access stack up side-by-side:
| Feature | Richmond | Smiths Grove | Oak Grove (Planned) |
| Status | Open | Open | Delayed |
| Highway Access | Interstate 75 | Interstate 65 | Interstate 24 |
| Tunnel Car Wash | Yes | Yes | TBD |
| Ethanol-Free Gas | 87 & 90 Octane | 87 & 90 Octane | TBD |
| DEF at the Pump | Yes | Yes | TBD |
| Nearest Major Attraction | Lexington / Bourbon Trail | Mammoth Cave National Park | Fort Campbell |
| Opening Date | April 2022 | May 2024 | Delayed (TBD) |
Pro Tip: Both operational Kentucky locations in Richmond and Smiths Grove feature dedicated ethanol-free fuel pumps offering 87 and 90 octane. If you are towing a boat to Kentucky lakes or driving a classic car, filling up here provides cleaner fuel performance.ts require close coordination with state transportation departments, a 2027 opening or later is currently the most realistic timeframe for Oak Grove.
Which Kentucky Buc-ee’s Should You Stop At?
Not sure which Kentucky location fits best into your travel itinerary? Here is a quick route guide:
- Driving I-75 (Cincinnati to Knoxville): Stop at Richmond. It is the only Buc-ee’s along I-75 in Kentucky and sits just south of Lexington.
- Driving I-65 (Louisville to Nashville): Stop at Smiths Grove. It sits roughly halfway between both cities and makes the perfect mid-trip break for I-65 travelers.
- Touring Bourbon Country or Horse Country: Richmond is your best bet, positioned roughly 30 miles south of Lexington and close to key Bourbon Trail destinations.
- Visiting Mammoth Cave National Park: Smiths Grove is hands-down the closest store, located only about 30 miles from the main park entrance.
- Driving I-24 (Nashville to St. Louis): There is currently no open Buc-ee’s along this stretch in Kentucky until construction on the Oak Grove store finishes.
Pro Tip: Heading to the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in early May? The Smiths Grove store along I-65 gets especially busy with racegoers driving up from Nashville. Stopping early in the morning lets you beat the Derby weekend traffic rush.
Frequently Asked Question’s
The Bottom Line
Kentucky features two fantastic, fully operational Buc-ee’s travel centers in Richmond (I-75) and Smiths Grove (I-65). Both stores deliver the complete signature experience, from hot-carved Texas brisket and Beaver Nuggets to multi-lane car washes and pristine restrooms.
While the planned Oak Grove location off I-24 near Fort Campbell continues resolving state highway infrastructure requirements, Kentucky road trippers along I-75 and I-65 are completely covered.
Pro Tip: Planning a 2026 Bluegrass State road trip? Set Richmond or Smiths Grove as your designated lunch and refueling stop—they are two of the cleanest, most convenient travel stops anywhere in the region.
Related: See what’s happening just across the border in Ohio and every Buc-ee’s location in Tennessee.