Virginia · Location Watch
Buc-ee’s New Kent, Virginia: What’s Actually Happening With This Store
You’ve probably seen the excitement online, so let’s clear it up straight away: the New Kent travel center hasn’t opened, and it isn’t opening “in a few days.” Here’s the real timeline, the real address, and what to do in the meantime.
per New Kent County officials
So, Is Buc-ee’s New Kent Open?
No, not yet — and it won’t be for a while. Buc-ee’s bought the 27.68-acre New Kent County site back in June 2023 for $6.5 million, and early plans pointed to a 2025 opening. That date has slipped three times since: first to 2027, then to 2029, and as of December 2025, New Kent County officials confirmed the store is now targeting a December 2031 opening.
That’s not a Buc-ee’s construction problem. It’s a road problem, and it’s a genuinely interesting one if you’re the type who likes knowing why things happen the way they do.
Pro Tip: If a headline or social post says New Kent is “opening soon,” check the date it was published. This project has generated hype-y coverage for three years running, and most of it is recycling the original 2025 target that no longer applies.
Why the Delay? Blame the Interchange, Not the Store
Buc-ee’s is deliberately timing its grand opening to line up with a Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) rebuild of the I-64 Exit 211 interchange. According to New Kent County Administrator Rodney Hathaway, the store itself could likely be built faster — but Buc-ee’s wants the surrounding road capacity finished first, given how much traffic its stores typically pull in.
The VDOT project is currently in design, with construction expected to begin around spring 2027 and wrap up in September 2029. Add Buc-ee’s own 18-to-24-month build timeline on top of that, and December 2031 is where the county landed. Funding for the interchange work also isn’t fully secured until 2027, which is another reason the date could still move.
The Delay Timeline, Step by Step
June 2023
Buc-ee’s purchases 27.68 acres at Exit 211 in New Kent County for $6.5 million.
2023 — Original Target
Early reporting from S.L. Nusbaum Realty points to a possible 2025 opening.
Pushed to 2027
The opening is moved to coordinate with planned road construction near the interchange.
Dec. 2025 — Pushed to 2029
County officials cite VDOT’s Exit 211 interchange project, then expected to finish September 2029.
Dec. 2025 — Pushed to Dec. 2031
Buc-ee’s confirms the current target, tying its grand opening directly to the VDOT completion date. This is the most recent confirmed timeline as of mid-2026.
Pro Tip: New Kent County has said it’s “looking for ways to push that a little forward,” so 2031 is a target, not a guarantee in either direction. If you’re local, county planning commission meetings are the most reliable place to catch updates before they hit the news.
What the Finished Store Will Look Like
Once it’s built, the New Kent location will be a full-size Buc-ee’s Super Center — not a smaller regional format. Plans call for roughly 74,000 to 75,000 square feet of retail space, 120 fueling positions, more than 550 parking spaces, dedicated bus and RV parking, and multiple EV fast chargers, including Tesla-compatible stalls. Expect the usual lineup: fresh brisket cut to order, kolaches, Beaver Nuggets, house-made fudge, and wall-to-wall beaver merchandise.
Its location at Exit 211 puts it near the Port of Virginia and along a corridor already seeing major investment tied to the separate I-64 Gap Widening Project, which is part of why the county is motivated to get the interchange work done regardless of Buc-ee’s timeline.
Where to Get Buc-ee’s in Virginia Right Now
The good news: you don’t have to wait until 2031 to visit a Virginia Buc-ee’s. There’s one open today, and a second is finally moving through approvals.
Mount Crawford (Rockingham County)
Virginia’s first Buc-ee’s, opened June 30, 2025 off I-81 near Harrisonburg. 74,000 sq ft, 120 pumps, 24/7. Currently the only way to get the full Buc-ee’s experience in-state.
Stafford County
Off I-95 Exit 140, near Courthouse Road. Rezoning approved May 19, 2026 after a contentious vote. Would be the first Buc-ee’s serving Northern Virginia and DC — but construction hasn’t started and no opening date is set.
Pro Tip: Driving from Richmond, Williamsburg, or Virginia Beach and craving Buc-ee’s now? Mount Crawford is about a 2.5-hour drive west via I-64 and I-81 — not exactly a quick detour, but it’s the real thing while New Kent is still years away.
Frequently Asked Question’s
The Bottom Line
The New Kent Buc-ee’s is real, the land is bought, and the plans are drawn up — it’s just waiting on a highway. Until the Exit 211 interchange project clears the way, December 2031 is the number to keep in your head, not “any day now.” In the meantime, Mount Crawford has you covered, and Stafford County is finally inching toward becoming Virginia’s third location.
Related: Buc-ee’s is also coming to nearby Stafford County, Virginia — track every other project on our upcoming locations tracker.