Reclaiming Wonders

If you’ve ever traveled through Texas or several other states in the South, you’ve likely seen the Buc-ee’s logo (pronounced Buck-eeees)—an iconic pit stop that’s part convenience store, part amusement park, and 100% an experience. From its clean restrooms to its extensive snack selection, Buc-ee’s gas station has become a must-visit destination for road-trippers. Lucky for you, with more Buc-ee’s locations in the US being added every year, there may be one near you soon.

Despite the best gas prices, there are more reasons to stop than just Buc-ee’s gas price. Maybe you are wondering if you should follow that giant cartoon beaver that’s been looming from the interstate for the last two hundred miles? Or if you need to add some Buc-ee’s merchandise to your kid’s closet? Here’s what makes Buc-ee’s worth the visit and why it should be a highlight of your next journey.

My not-Disclaimer: Bucees doesn’t know I exist and isn’t paying me nuthin! 😂
But I’m a Texan. 🤠 Good thing Buc-ee’s Georgia locations followed me here.

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Start with These Top Buc-ees Tips

Don’t make a Buc-ee’s road trip if you don’t like crowds and just want a quick, cheap five minute-potty break. This isn’t the place for you. If your roadtrip family needs a quick out, snacks, and a wiggle break, check it out.

• Don’t even consider going to Bucee’s if you’re a grump. You can’t be a grump and go in Buc-ees.
• Try to park in the row of cars right in front of the store near the statue of Buc-ee the Beaver. Then you can watch goobers like me take selfies at every Buc-ee’s visit. Yep. Full-grown adults.
• Try to leave the Bucees parking lots through the entrance and exit with the traffic light. You’ll never get out otherwise.
• Make an exit strategy for where to meet your kids in Buc-ee’s. Or hand them the extra phone. You’ll get separated. Seriously. (I usually point threateningly to the restroom exit and tell my kids not to leave.)
• If you’re intrigued by now, here are at least twenty reasons to add Buc-ees to your road trip. 

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Where Did Buc-ee’s Start?

Buc-ees is privately owned, maintaining its reputation as a unique, Texas-born roadside phenomenon. It was founded in 1982 by Arch “Beaver” Aplin III and Don Wasek in Lake Jackson, Texas. The name “Buc-ee’s” is a play on Aplin’s childhood nickname, “Beaver,” combined with his love for the Disney character Bucky the Beaver. The original concept was a traditional convenience store, but it quickly evolved into something much larger.

Over the years, Buc-ee’s gained a reputation for its exceptionally clean restrooms, wide selection of snacks, and Texas-themed merchandise. The chain expanded throughout Texas, with each location growing larger and offering more amenities, such as fresh food, an extensive Buc-ee’s beef jerky bar, and massive fueling stations.

Buc-ee’s eventually became known for its super-sized stores, some of which are among the largest convenience stores in the world. The company has expanded beyond Texas, opening locations in other Southern states.

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Where are Buc-ee’s Locations?

Bucees is ever expanding, but just how many Buc-ee’s are there? As of July 2024, there are fifty Buc-ees locations now including Texas, Georgia, Alabama, Florida, Kentucky, Missouri, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Colorado. If you want to search specifically, check out this Bucee’s location list which even tells you what types of gas or electric charging is available at each location.

Remember that each location will have some specific merchandise for the location. If you’re just driving through a state, Buc-ee’s makes an easy stop to load up on your state-specific snacks, home decor, Alabama tourist or nearby college souvenirs. Wouldn’t it be fun to get home from your trip and get to try out a different snack from each state you visited? You’re welcome.

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What Makes Buc-ee’s So Famous?

Buc-ee’s is more than just a gas station—it’s an experience. Known for its happy cartoon beaver mascot (who you can sometimes take pictures with!) and the slogan “Cleanest Restrooms in America,” Buc-ee’s has set a high standard for what a roadside stop can offer.

With locations across the southern United States that often cover tens of thousands of square feet, Buc-ee’s is breaking records. Literally. They hold the world records for largest convenience store at more than 75,000 square feet and longest car wash. No matter which one you visit, you will wonder how there can be anything bigger! They often have a hundred gas pumps and seemingly a thousand parking spots.

Bucees stores are packed with everything from freshly made snacks and beverages to unique gifts and souvenirs. Each store, although for the most part identical to the others in the chain, carries specific souvenirs for that state and food specialties for that area. It’s not unusual to see families, road warriors, and curious tourists stopping by to experience all that Buc-ee’s has to offer. If Disney World had a gas station, you’d think it was Bucees.

Despite all the snacks and souvenirs, I was told years ago that clean bathrooms was one of the original goals of the Buc-ees founders… and they’re rockin’ the goal.

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#1 Buc-ee’s Bathrooms are Always Clean

Buc-ee’s restrooms are huge, hardly ever have a wait, and have a dedicated cleaning staff. In the women’s restroom, there are at least thirty fully-enclosed toilet stalls even with that “occupied” dial on the stall door. My kids even say “This soap smells like Buc-ee’s soap.” I think it smells a little like almond-extract. We’ve been a few times. 🙂

#2 Save Money with Buc-ee’s Gas and Endless Gas Pumps

Even if you don’t want to see inside But-ee’s, you should know that filling up with Bucee’s gas will save you lots of money! I do a comparison with every visit, and I thought maybe my math was wrong. However, lots of stops with lots of mathing shows that getting gas at Buc-ee’s will save you about $0.20 per gallon.

Although there are a lot of people wanting gas from Buc-ee’s, there are so many gas pumps that you will hardly have to wait at all. Recommend Buc-ee’s to your dad with the giant diesel truck and the extra storage tank for gas. He’ll thank you!

#3 The Icees Always Work

Bucees Icees are one of the best deals at this family rest stop! As a self-professed Coke Icee connoisseur, I know, the machine doesn’t work at a lot of places. But you know what’s better than a Coke Icee though? A Dr. Pepper Icee! At Buc-ee’s you will find a wall of Icee machines. Even if one isn’t working, you have others to choose from. And they’re only about a dollar!

#4 Buc-ee’s Drinks: Cheap with Good Ice

Unfortunately, ice is one of the things that keeps me awake during our one-parent-driving road trips across county, and Buc-ees ice is perfect. To be a Buc-ee’s expert, fill up one cup with only ice and one with your Dr. Pepper with lots ice. Then you have plenty for several hours.

Buc-ee’s drinks at the soda fountain are one of their best deals. It’s only about a dollar for a huge drink in an insulated cup. They are way cheaper than the bottled drinks.

#5 Buc-ee’s Gifts: Perfect for Last-Minute Shoppers

If you live near a Buc-ee’s Texas location like I did previously, you’ll know that this is a great place to grab a last-minute birthday or baby shower gift. You could do all your Christmas shopping for men, women, and children all in the same store. While drinking an Icee… It’s big enough so they won’t notice if you get a refill. Ha!

Each store will have camping supplies, kid clothes, cookbooks, candles, home goods, and so much more. There’s something for everyone here. I mean, where else can you get a swimsuit full of that happy red beaver?

#6 Buc-ee’s Merchandise and Beaver Faces

At least half of Buc-ee’s is for shopping. While not every gift has a Buc-ee beaver logo, there are a ton of options that do. I mean, where else can you get a swimsuit covered in a smiling beaver. Buc-ee’s souvenirs make a great conversation starter to talk about family road trips with some new friends.

Your family probably needs seasonal Buc-ee’s shirts. They’re always creating new logos throughout the year and for each location. It’s always a good time to start your Buc-ee’s collection.

#7 Buc-ee’s Dog Parks with a Side of Humor

Not only do all Buc-ee’s have large areas for your dog, but prepare to giggle. Really. There are lots of great dog walking areas probably on multiple sides of the multi-sided parking lot. Don’t go too quickly past the signs even if you’re just driving. It’s a nice little chuckle as you wait to get out of the parking lot.

#8 Is Buc-ee’s Open 24/7?

While I still recommend you check the hours if you’re driving in super late, many Buc-ee’s store are open all day and night every day of the week. With the well-lit parking lot and stores, safety is also of limited concern because the whole area is lit up.

Is Buc-ee’s open on Christmas? Yes. Is Buc-ee’s open on Thanksgiving? Yes! However, watch out for those crowds!

#9 Buc-ee’s BBQ Sandwiches and Fresh Food

Now, I can’t speak for Buc-ee’s locations in Tennessee, but I know that Buc-ee’s in Texas, Georgia, Alabama, and Florida have freshly made barbecue sandwiches and thick cut chips. My favorite is the pulled pork sandwiches. The Buc-ee’s staff is right there chopping it fresh and calling out to you across the store when some is ready to go.

Does Buc-ee’s have breakfast foods? They sure do. Stock up on a breakfast burrito or biscuit. Or… See #10

#10 Buc-ee’s and the Only Kolaches Outside of Texas!

Technically, we have found a few donut stores with kolaches since we moved away from Texas, but there sure aren’t a lot of them. This originally Czech pastry joined the Buc-ee’s food lineup because the Czech population in central Texas brought them over. Most donut stores in the Houston area are going to have their own kolaches. Although they aren’t the same as authentic Czech kolaches, these pigs-in-a-blanket style treats are going to have you asking for more. Be even more Texan and get sausage and cheese kolache with a jalapeño on top.

#11 Hug-a-Buc-ee Beaver

So I’ve been to Buc-ees many times, but only several times did I see the beaver in the store. Think of it as a rare sighting kinda like Peter Pan as Disney World. You know he’s there… sometimes. But when you do see Buc-ee the Beaver, you gotta take a picture. Hopefully your kids aren’t as lame as mine and don’t make you take a picture by yourself. If you don’t see him, you just gotta go back!

#12 Buc-ee’s Coffee Bar

Truth. I don’t like coffee. However, if I did like coffee, I would really like Buc-ees coffee and their central iced area full of every flavor of creamer you could want. It’s way cheaper than that other name brand you tend to frequent.

#13 Prime Highway Buc-ee’s Locations

Buc-ee’s are placed strategically on major highways. This means that you won’t have to drive far off your path to get there. Now, everyone else will be trying to get there as well… but at least it’s convenient.

#14 Buc-ee’s Local Specialties: The Texas Hot Sauce

If you visit different Buc-ee’s locations, you will notice that they aren’t all the same. You will see different big universities or different state collectors items. You’ll also see different snacks. If you’re in Texas, there’s a whole shelf of different spicy sauce. 

#15 Friendly Faces Everywhere

Walking into any Buc-ee’s, you will see the ads about how much Buc-ee’s employees can earn. So not only do they seem to pay them well, they seem to do their jobs well. Buc-ee’s staff is everywhere keeping the store clean and ready to go. With a lot of people working, you get a lot of registers, so there’s minimal waiting in a check-out line either.

#16 Buc-ee’s Beef Jerky Bar

Some stores have a deli selection. Think giant glass-fronted cabinet with every flavor, weight, and size you could ever want. This is also perfect for that last-minute gift idea we were talking about earlier!

#17 Are There Healthy Snacks at Buc-ee’s?

As Buc-ee’s snacks are endless, there are lots of opportunities for low-carb or dairy-free eaters. Grab some Bucee’s charcuterie and load up on a fruit or veg cup, meat and cheese, or even fresh salads. There’s definitely a lot of fresh food options here that you won’t find at most road trip stops or gas stations.

#18 Buc-ee’s Treats: Huge Selection

If you’re wanting more traditional road trip packaged snacks – and not the homemade cookies or fudge for some reason – there is a huge selection of chips and candy waiting for you. Rows and rows.

#19 Food Samples at Buc-ee’s

Although I can’t guarantee food samples at Buc-ee’s, make it a mission for the kids to find something. You never know. It may be fudge or a new chip they’re marketing. Warning: you may then go buy some on your own. Genius marketing.

#20 Electric Car Chargers at Buc-ee’s

With an increase in electric vehicles on the road, Buc-ee’s is installing even more charging stations for EV owners. Check this updated list that shows Buc-ee’s EV locations for Tesla Superchargers and Mercedes Benz High-Power Chargers. Good thing there’s plenty to do at Buc-ee’s while waiting for the car to charge!

#21 Did I Mention the Dr. Pepper Icees?! 😉

Not to mention. Your kids will enjoy a stop at Buc-ee’s. And they need a break. And mom needs that Dr. Pepper Icee. It’s also a good bribe method for any Southern road trip; “You’d better behave or I won’t stop at Buc-ee’s.”

Because once you go Buc-ee’s, it’ll be hard to pass that next one by.

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