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It’s hard to beat the devotion that Buc-ee’s customers have for this beloved gas station. It only takes one trip into this establishment for you to catch “beaver fever.”
You’re missing out if you’ve never experienced the chaos that is Buc-ee’s. But why are these roadside convenience stores so popular?
Today, we’ll take a look and see why people can’t help but fall in love with these establishments.
Grab your beaver nuggets, and let’s get started!
What Is Buc-ee’s?
Buc-ee’s is a popular convenience store chain/gas station popping up all over the country. They’ve become an iconic road trip destination for many families and travelers. They’re a great place to stretch your legs, use the restroom, fill up on fuel, and grab a bite.
It’s what you’d get when you combine a Cracker Barrel gift shop with a massive travel center plaza.
Due to their extreme popularity, these locations can be incredibly chaotic. Because they are open 24 hours, 365 days a year, we recommend visiting late at night or early morning. If you choose not to, we tried to warn you.
You can see signs counting down the miles for hundreds of miles. Their most loyal customers have no problem driving hours out of their way to visit them. Seriously, they’ve 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 dedication to customer service and creating a unique and welcoming environment quickly rocketed them to success.
Despite all of their locations being in Texas, business was booming. 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?
In June 2023, Buc-ee’s opened its Sevierville, Tennessee, location. It includes a 74,000-square-foot convenience store with 120 fuel pumps, a 250-foot car wash, and seemingly infinite snacks. While it took the crown to be the largest, it won’t last long.
They broke ground in November 2022 on a new Luling, Texas location. This new location will replace its first travel center, which opened in 2003. It will sit at 75,000 square feet, slightly larger than the Sevierville location.
Unfortunately, we’ve yet to see a published date for it to open. Based on prior projects, many are expecting it to be March 2024.
Why Are Buc-ee’s Gas Stations So Popular?
So what do people love so much about Buc-ee’s? With this much devotion, it should come as no surprise that there’s more than one thing. Let’s see why people are willing to go out of their way and spend their life savings in a single visit.
Award-Winning Restrooms
Consider yourself blessed if you’ve never experienced a sketchy gas station bathroom. Luckily, if you stop at a Buc-ee’s gas station, you don’t have to worry. They’ve developed a reputation for having some of the cleanest bathrooms of any gas station.
They’re so clean that in 2012, they received an award for having the cleanest bathrooms in America. Not only are they clean, but they’re also massive.
You can find upwards of 50 stalls and more than 30 urinals. Despite these impressive numbers, lines still form during the busiest times.
Massive Snack Selection
Another thing that people love about these gas stations is their incredible snack selection. They have self-branded versions of many snacks. You’ll find their famous Beaver Nuggets, trail mixes, and a vast selection of beef jerky.
If you’re on a road trip and need to replenish your snack supply, this is the place to do it. There’s something for just about everyone. They even have massive sandwiches and hot food options available.
Keep in Mind: The snack section of Buc-ee’s can be overwhelming! See what RVers think are the best things to try at Buc-ee’s
Plenty of Shopping
We mentioned earlier that it had a somewhat Cracker Barrel gift shop feel. The minute you walk in the door, you’ll find beaver-themed merchandise as far as your eyes can see.
You can find pajamas, coffee mugs, and stuffed animals dawning their famous beaver logo.
Additionally, they have a rather extensive home goods section. These are items that can fill your home or other space. They’re less in your face with beaver logos and can complement a room nicely.
Family-Friendly Atmosphere
Unlike many truck stops or gas stations, Buc-ee’s maintains a family-friendly atmosphere. Not only are the stores clean, but the outside is too. Their staff does an incredible job of helping trash and litter find their way into a trash can.
It’s important to note that Buc-ee’s does not allow overnight parking or semis to use their facilities. While we would love to see overnight parking, we understand it could cause some issues.
Tons of Fuel Pumps
Another reason people love Buc-ee gas stations is because of the enormous amount of fuel pumps. Most of their locations have between 80 and 100 fuel pumps. However, their largest stores generally have upwards of 120.
As shocking as it might be, just like their restrooms, there’s typically never enough. You may still have to wait in line to fill your tank. However, you won’t have to wait too long with this many pumps.
Novelty
We think many people love Buc-ee’s so much because of the novelty. For more than 35 years, there were no locations outside of Texas. As a result, visiting Buc-ee’s was an extraordinary stop.
Texans took great pride in their massive convenience stores, and many travelers made it a point when passing through.
Marketing and Branding
If Buc-ee’s knows how to do anything well, it’s marketing and branding. Their social media does a fantastic job of creating trendy posts and graphics.
As mentioned earlier, their roadside signs counting the miles are everywhere. They do a great job of creating a buzz and generating excitement.
Keep in Mind: Is It Safe to Pump Gas While Your Car Is Running? Most people turn their car off, 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 during our travels. We love stopping and grabbing snacks and topping off our fuel tank. Unfortunately, we generally end up spending a small fortune.
There are so many snacks and other treats that they offer. For us, they’re worth the hype. However, we can understand why some people may not enjoy the chaos.
Do you find Buc-ee’s to be worth the hype?
