The devotion of Buc-ee’s customers to this popular gas station is hard to beat. It only takes one visit to this establishment to get “beaver fever.”
You’re missing out if you haven’t experienced the chaos at Buc-ee’s. But why are these roadside stores so popular?
Today we take a look at why people just have to fall in love with these stores.
Grab your beaver nuggets and let’s get going!
What is Buc-ee’s?
Buc-ee’s is a popular supermarket chain/gas station that is popping up all over the country. Buc-ee’s has become a popular destination for many families and travelers. It’s a place to stretch your legs, use the restroom, fill up on fuel, and grab a bite to eat.
This is what it looks like when you combine a Cracker Barrel gift store with a giant travel center.
Due to their extreme popularity, these places can be incredibly chaotic. Since they are open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, we recommend visiting in the late evening or early morning. If you don’t, we’ve tried to warn you.
You can see signs counting the miles over hundreds of miles. Their most loyal customers have no problem driving hours to visit them. Seriously, they have developed a cult-like following among travelers.
History of Buc-ee’s Gas Station
Buc-ee’s was founded in 1982 by Arch “Beaver” Aplin III and Don Wasek. The first location opened in Lake Jackson, Texas. Their commitment to customer service and creating a unique and inviting environment quickly helped them achieve success.
Even though all locations were in Texas, the business thrived. However, in 2018, the company broke ground on its first location outside of the Lone Star State.
Today, there are locations in Alabama, Florida, Ohio, Georgia, Kentucky, South Carolina, Tennessee and Texas. With so much momentum, we don’t expect them to slow down soon.
Where is the largest buc-ee’s gas station located?
Buc-ee’s opened its Sevierville, Tennessee location in June 2023. It includes a 74,000-square-foot convenience store with 120 gas pumps, a 250-foot-long car wash and seemingly endless snacks. It may have taken the crown of largest store, but it won’t stay that way for long.
In November 2022, the company broke ground on a new location in Luling, Texas. This new location will replace the first travel center, which opened in 2003. At 75,000 square feet, it will be slightly larger than the Sevierville location.
Unfortunately, no opening date has been announced. Based on previous projects, many believe it will be March 2024.
Why are Buc-ee’s gas stations so popular?
So what is it that people love so much about Buc-ee’s? With so much devotion, it should come as no surprise that there’s more than one thing. Let’s take a look at why people are willing to take a detour and spend their entire life savings on a single visit.
Award-winning toilets
Consider yourself blessed if you’ve never experienced a shabby gas station restroom. Fortunately, if you stop at a Buc-ee’s gas station, you won’t have to worry. They have a reputation for having some of the cleanest restrooms of any gas station.
They are so clean that in 2012 they received an award for the cleanest restrooms in America. Not only are they clean, but they are huge.
There are over 50 stalls and more than 30 urinals. Despite this impressive number, queues still form at peak times.
Huge snack selection
Another thing people love about these gas stations is their incredible snack selection. They carry many snacks under their own name. You can find the famous Beaver Nuggets, trail mix, and a great selection of beef jerky.
If you are on a road trip and need to replenish your snack supplies, this is the place to do it. There is something for everyone here. There’s even a great selection of sandwiches and hot food.
Don’t forget: The snack section at Buc-ee’s can be overwhelming! See what RVers think are the best snacks at Buc-ee’s
Extensive shopping
We’ve mentioned before that the store is a bit reminiscent of a Cracker Barrel gift store. As soon as you walk in the door, you’ll find beaver-themed merchandise as far as the eye can see.
There are pajamas, coffee mugs and stuffed animals with the famous beaver logo.
There’s also a pretty extensive housewares section. These are items that can fill your home or another room. They are less obtrusive with beaver logos and can complement a room well.
Family friendly ambience
Unlike many truck stops or gas stations, Buc-ee’s offers a family-friendly atmosphere. Not only are the stores clean, but so is the outside area. Employees do an incredible job of making sure trash and litter find their way into the trash can.
It is important to note that Buc-ee’s does not allow overnight parking or use of its facilities by semi-trucks. While we would love to have overnight parking, we understand that it could cause some problems.
Tons of gas pumps
Another reason Buc-ee gas stations are so popular is the enormous number of gas pumps. Most locations have between 80 and 100 gas pumps. However, the largest stores usually have more than 120.
Shocking as it may seem, just like restrooms, there are usually never enough. You may still have to wait in line to fill your tank. With so many gas pumps, however, you won’t have to wait too long.
Novelty
We believe many people love Buc-ee’s so much because it is so new. For more than 35 years, there were no locations outside of Texas. So a visit to Buc-ee’s was an exceptional stop.
Texans took great pride in their huge convenience stores, and many travelers made a detour there while passing through.
Marketing and branding
If Buc-ee’s is good at anything, it’s marketing and branding. Social media does a fantastic job of creating trending posts and graphics.
As mentioned earlier, roadside signs counting miles are everywhere. They do a great job of creating buzz and excitement.
Remember: Is it safe to fill up with your car running? Most people turn off their cars, but are they being overly cautious? Let’s find out!
Are Buc-ee’s gas stations worth the hype?
We’ve visited Buc-ee’s a time or two on our travels. We like to stop to buy snacks and fill up our gas tank. Unfortunately, we usually end up spending a small fortune.
There are so many snacks and other goodies they offer. For us, they are worth the hype. However, we can understand why some people don’t enjoy the mess.
Do you think Buc-ee’s are worth the hype?