Find Every Upcoming Buc-ee’s Location: 2026–2027 Opening Dates & Delays Tracker
Upcoming Buc-ee’s Locations Finder
Buc-ee's is in the middle of its most aggressive expansion push in company history! The Texas-based travel center giant is officially expanding into at least 8 brand-new states—including Arizona, Arkansas, Kansas, Louisiana, Nebraska, North Carolina, Ohio, and Wisconsin.
As of mid-2026, Buc-ee's operates 55+ locations across 12 states. But with dozens of developments currently moving through land purchases, site approvals, and active construction, the beaver mascot is projected to reach nearly 20 states by the time this current rollout is complete!
The first of these new state debuts is already done and dusted: Ohio's first Buc-ee's in Huber Heights opened in April 2026 to historic crowds. Next up, Arizona (Goodyear) and Arkansas (Benton) are preparing for ribbon-cutting ceremonies later this year!
💡 Pro Tip: Planning a cross-country road trip in 2026 or 2027? Keep an eye on Buc-ee's expansion routes along I-10, I-35, I-40, and I-70—you'll soon be able to drive from coast to coast while stopping almost exclusively at Buc-ee's travel centers!
Here is a quick overview of every confirmed and delayed Buc-ee's location currently in development across the country:
| State | City | Current Status | Target Opening |
| Ohio | Huber Heights | ✅ Already Open | April 2026 |
| Arizona | Goodyear | Confirmed | Late June 2026 |
| Arkansas | Benton | Confirmed | August 2026 |
| Tennessee (4th in-state) | Murfreesboro | Confirmed | Late 2026 |
| Texas (37th in-state) | San Marcos | Confirmed | July 2026 |
| Georgia | Monroe County | Confirmed | March 2027 |
| Wisconsin | Oak Creek | Confirmed | April 2027 |
| Louisiana | Ruston | Confirmed | Mid-2027 |
| North Carolina | Mebane | Confirmed | Q4 2027 |
| Tennessee | Gallaway | Confirmed (Delayed) | May 2027 |
| Kansas | Kansas City | Confirmed | 2027 |
| Florida | St. Lucie & Tallahassee | Confirmed | 2027 |
| Kentucky | Oak Grove | Delayed | 2027 or later |
| Arkansas (2nd in-state) | West Memphis | Heavily Delayed | June 2028 |
| Virginia | New Kent County | Severely Delayed | December 2031 |
💡 Pro Tip: Target opening dates can occasionally shift by 2 to 3 months due to utility connections or road widening projects. Always double-check current store status before heading out on a grand opening road trip!
The "How Many New States" Confusion — Resolved
If you've read news articles covering Buc-ee's expansion, you've probably seen conflicting headline numbers claiming 6, 7, or 8 new states. Why the confusion?
It comes down to how local news outlets reported announcements over time. Expansion news rolled out gradually across different regional markets. Nebraska (Gretna, near Omaha) was the "swing state"—it was confirmed slightly later than early press releases, leading some media reports to list 7 states while others updated to 8.
The Most Accurate Picture:
Buc-ee's is officially making its first-time entry into 8 brand-new states: Arizona, Arkansas, Kansas, Louisiana, Nebraska, North Carolina, Ohio, and Wisconsin. On top of that, Buc-ee's is continually building additional stores in states where it already operates (like Texas, Tennessee, Georgia, Florida, and Alabama)!
💡 Pro Tip: Want to know if your state is next? Buc-ee's typically files for municipal land annexations and zoning approvals 18 to 24 months before breaking ground. Following local city council agendas in highway junction towns is the secret to spotting new locations first!
Already Open: Ohio's Debut Location
The first new state entry of 2026 is officially in the books—and the results were staggering!
In April 2026, Ohio welcomed its very first Buc-ee's in Huber Heights (just off I-70 north of Dayton). Opening day recorded over $1 million in total sales, with the town's mayor describing it as possibly the largest single-day grand opening result in Buc-ee's history.
This incredible launch proves that even in brand-new markets with zero prior Buc-ee's footprint, the demand for fresh Texas BBQ, Beaver Nuggets, and pristine restrooms is sky-high!
💡 Pro Tip: Visiting a brand-new Buc-ee's location during its first month of operation? Expect massive grand opening crowds! Try visiting on Tuesday or Wednesday afternoons to enjoy shorter register lines and easier parking.
Opening Later in 2026 — What's Confirmed
Here are the next major Buc-ee's openings scheduled to launch before the end of 2026:
- Arizona — Goodyear (Late June 2026): Arizona's first-ever store, establishing Buc-ee's very first foothold in the American Southwest!
- Arkansas — Benton (August 2026): Arkansas's inaugural location off I-30, bringing the full 74,000-square-foot mega-store setup to Natural State travelers.
- Tennessee — Murfreesboro (Late 2026): Tennessee's 4th location, anchoring the busy I-24 corridor southeast of Nashville.
- Texas — San Marcos (July 2026): Texas's 37th location, filling the last major gap on I-35 between Austin and San Antonio.
💡 Pro Tip: Heading to Arizona or Arkansas later this summer? Both Goodyear and Benton will feature full-scale scratch kitchens, giant jerky walls, and over 100 gas pumps ready for summer road trippers!
Opening in 2027 — The Bigger Wave
While 2026 brings several exciting debuts, 2027 is shaping up to be the biggest year in Buc-ee's expansion history!
Building a massive travel center takes roughly 18 to 24 months from the moment ground is broken—which explains why the bulk of newly announced state entries will officially open their doors in 2027.
Here are the major flagship locations scheduled to open in 2027:
- Wisconsin — Oak Creek (April 2027): Wisconsin's first Buc-ee's at I-94 and Elm Road! Featuring a 73,370-square-foot store and 120 gas pumps, this marks the chain's northernmost location to date.
- Louisiana — Ruston (Mid-2027): Louisiana's debut store at I-20 and Tarbutton Road, spanning over 70,000 square feet with 100+ pumps. (A second site in Lafayette is also working toward 2027).
- Kansas — Kansas City (2027): Kansas's inaugural location near I-70 and West Village Parkway, featuring a 74,000-square-foot store.
- North Carolina — Mebane (Q4 2027): North Carolina's first Buc-ee's, anchoring the busy I-40/I-85 corridor in Alamance County.
- Georgia — Monroe County (March 2027): Broke ground in April 2026 to bring a giant 74,000-square-foot store to central Georgia's I-75 stretch.
- Florida — St. Lucie & Tallahassee (2027): Expanding Florida's network with new mega-stores, including a giant 76,245-square-foot flagship in St. Lucie.
- Tennessee — Gallaway (May 2027): Serving the West Tennessee and Memphis metro travel market.
💡 Pro Tip: Headed north to Wisconsin in 2027? Oak Creek will be Buc-ee's first cold-weather mega-store in the Upper Midwest, so expect cozy indoor seating, warm cinnamon rolls, and heavy winter gear merch!
The Delays Tracker — Projects Running Behind Schedule
Building a 75,000-square-foot facility with 120 fuel pumps requires massive highway infrastructure work. Because of complex road widening projects, water line boring, and municipal permitting, several high-profile Buc-ee's locations have seen their opening dates pushed back.
Here is where the major delayed projects currently stand:
| Location | Original Target | Current Target | Delay Estimate |
| Gallaway, TN | Summer 2026 | May 2027 | ~9–10 months |
| Mebane, NC | Late 2026 / Early 2027 | Q4 2027 | Several months |
| Oak Grove, KY | 2026 / 2027 | 2027 or later | Delayed due to construction |
| West Memphis, AR | Original 2026 target | June 2028 | ~2 years |
| New Kent County, VA | 2027 | December 2031 | ~4+ years |
The Most Extreme Delay: New Kent County, Virginia
Originally planned as Virginia's first Buc-ee's for 2027, major regional road construction forced a massive shift. Instead, Mount Crawford opened first as Virginia's debut store, while New Kent County was pushed all the way out to December 2031.
💡 Pro Tip: If you see an article listing West Memphis, Arkansas or New Kent County, Virginia as "opening soon," treat that info as outdated! Both projects are multi-year infrastructure endeavors that won't welcome travelers for quite some time.
Not Every Community Wants One: Local Opposition
While Buc-ee's arrivals are usually met with wild enthusiasm from fans, a handful of proposed locations have faced serious local debate surrounding traffic impact, noise, and land environmental usage.
- Palmer Lake, Colorado: Heated city council meetings regarding environmental impact led to town board resignations and state-level site reviews. Neighboring cities like Lamar and Pueblo have since invited Buc-ee's to build in their municipalities instead.
- Stafford, Virginia: Local votes were delayed into the new year after residents raised valid concerns regarding highway interchange traffic backups.
- Boerne, Texas: In a rare move, Buc-ee's agreed to community concessions by scaling down the overall store footprint and reducing gas pumps to fit local Hill Country architectural guidelines.
Why This Matters for Road Trippers:
Community feedback can directly impact store size and opening schedules. If a proposed site near you is facing local zoning debates, keep in mind that the final building design or pump count may end up slightly smaller than early press releases suggested.
💡 Pro Tip: Interested in how local agreements shape a Buc-ee's location? Concessions like Boerne's often mean more green space, custom stone facades, and tailored landscaping that blend into the surrounding countryside!
Confirmed vs. Rumored: Locations Still Awaiting Official Confirmation
Not every Buc-ee's news story translates into an immediate store opening! It's super helpful to separate projects with active construction from those still navigating early land negotiations:
- Indiana: Land acquisition is progressing near Greenwood (about 11 miles outside Indianapolis off I-65), with a secondary site being evaluated up in Boone County.
- Nebraska: Local officials revealed plans for a potential store in Gretna (~20 miles southwest of Omaha), though it remains in early planning stages.
- Iowa: While there are no official corporate plans yet, residents in Norwalk launched an impressive grassroots community petition to bring Buc-ee's to the Des Moines metro area!
- South Carolina: Hardeeville (I-95 Exit 8) is confirmed but tied to SCDOT highway expansion schedules (~2031 target).
- Florida (Bonus Sites): Plans have been submitted for Port Charlotte and Ocala, building on top of active developments in St. Lucie and Tallahassee.
💡 Pro Tip: Want to know if a site near you is officially greenlit? A location is officially "confirmed" once a city council approves the development agreement or when heavy excavation equipment arrives on site—earlier land option contracts can still change!
The Big Picture: Where Is This Expansion Heading?
Buc-ee's is transforming from a regional Southern favorite into a nationwide highway institution!
While the brand currently operates 55+ travel centers across 12 states, the full planned rollout will expand Buc-ee's footprint to more than 70 mega-stores across nearly 20 states.
Beyond fresh food and gas, every single new travel center brings immense local economic value—creating at least 200 to 300 permanent full-time jobs per location with above-average wages and full employee benefits!
💡 Pro Tip: Looking to apply for a job at an upcoming Buc-ee's near you? Mass hiring events and online job applications typically open 3 to 4 months before a store's scheduled grand opening!
How to Track Opening Dates for a Specific Location
Because large highway projects involve state traffic studies and utility installations, opening dates frequently shift by a few months. Here is the best step-by-step way to track progress for a store near you:
- Check Local Municipal News: Follow city council or county planning commission agendas—they report road permit milestones long before national media.
- Follow Local News Affiliates: Regional TV news channels get direct statements from Buc-ee's public relations team whenever ribbon-cutting dates are locked in.
- Watch Official Announcements: Buc-ee's typically confirms exact grand opening days on their official press releases roughly 2 to 4 weeks prior to opening.
- Take Early Dates with a Grain of Salt: Any opening date announced more than 12 months in advance should be viewed as an estimated target rather than a guaranteed date.
💡 Pro Tip: If a store opening is pushed back by a few months, don't worry—it almost always means state road crews are widening highway off-ramps to prevent traffic jams on opening day!
Frequently Asked Questions
Got quick questions about Buc-ee's multi-state expansion? Here is everything you need to know:
How many new states is Buc-ee's expanding into?
Buc-ee's is entering 8 brand-new states: Arizona, Arkansas, Kansas, Louisiana, Nebraska, North Carolina, Ohio, and Wisconsin.
Has Buc-ee's already opened in any new states in 2026?
Yes! Ohio's first location in Huber Heights opened in April 2026, recording over $1 million in sales on opening day alone.
When will Buc-ee's open in Arizona?
The Goodyear, Arizona store is targeting a grand opening in late June 2026.
When will Buc-ee's open in Arkansas?
Arkansas's first store in Benton is targeting an August 2026 opening. A second location in West Memphis has been delayed to 2028.
Which upcoming Buc-ee's location has been delayed the most?
New Kent County, Virginia faced major regional highway construction delays, pushing its estimated opening out to December 2031.
Why do Buc-ee's store openings get delayed?
Building a 75,000-square-foot facility requires extensive infrastructure work—including boring new water mains, installing sewer lift stations, and widening interstate interchanges.
How many total stores will Buc-ee's have once expansion is complete?
More than 70 mega-locations across nearly 20 states!
Is Buc-ee's coming to Indiana or Iowa?
Indiana is actively progressing through land purchases in Greenwood. Iowa currently has no official corporate plans, though local grassroots petitions are active.
💡 Pro Tip: Keep this FAQ bookmarked! As new city council votes occur across Indiana, Arizona, and North Carolina, we'll update opening timelines so you have the freshest information!
The Bottom Line
The 2026–2027 expansion period is officially the most ambitious chapter in Buc-ee's history! By pushing into 8 brand-new states from the Midwest to the Southwest, the smiling beaver mascot is making world-class road trip stops accessible to millions of new travelers.
While major infrastructure needs can occasionally cause timeline shifts, one thing is certain: fresh Texas BBQ, warm kolaches, and the cleanest restrooms on the highway are coming to an interstate exit near you!
💡 Pro Tip: Road tripping across America over the next couple of years? Download the official Buc-ee's App to bookmark open stores and track real-time fuel prices along your highway route!