Pull Over! 6 Reasons to Always Stop When You See Buc-ee’s
A bona fide travel destination in and of itself, loyal Buc-ee's fans are flocking to locations across the South. If you've never been and you're puzzled by the hype, we've got you covered. Image: Chris Chamberlain
To be fair, the urgency of this article’s title is a bit unrealistic since there’s really no such thing as the “sudden appearance” of a Buc-ee’s. The massive gas station/convenience stores are spread along interstates across the South, and there are plenty of billboards warning that one is coming up. Much more than a mere pit stop, it’s a “must-visit” destination for road warriors.
A Buc-ee’s visit has become a special occasion in the South — here are some of the reasons they’ve earned so much hype!
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PinIf you’re lucky, you might meet the mascot himself during a visit to Buc-ee’s!
Here’s What You Might Not Know About Buc-ee’s
Founded in 1982 in Texas, Buc-ee’s has grown into a roadside legend known for its massive stores, spotless restrooms, and beaver-branded everything. As of 2025, there are over 50 Buc-ee’s locations across Texas, Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Kentucky, South Carolina, Tennessee, Missouri, and Colorado — with more on the way!
A new Buc-ee’s isn’t just the talk of the town; it’s the talk of many towns.
#1: Amazing Restrooms
While bathrooms might not be the sexiest thing to discuss, they are a crucial element of any rest stop on the road, and the lavatories at Buc-ee’s are famously immaculate. Awarded “Best Restrooms in America” by several publications, the bathrooms at Buc-ee’s feature more stalls than your average pro football stadium loo. They are meticulously cleaned around the clock by a dedicated staff. The walls are decorated with regionally thematic artwork (which is also for sale like everything else at Buc-ee’s), and that’s part of the reason Arch boasts that his restrooms should be called “The Taj Ma-stall.”
#2: Competitive Fuel (and Electricity)
Buc-ee’s is so confident travelers will pull in for the experience that they don’t even list gas prices on their billboards. Buc-ee’s doesn’t even reveal its prices as cars arrive in the lot — it’s a secret until drivers pull up to the pump.
PinThe Sevierville facility — a giant empire with 120 gas pumps, more than 350 employees, 74,000 square feet of store space, and a car wash stretching two-thirds the length of a football field! Open 24 hours per day, seven days a week, 365 days a year, the parking lot at Buc-ee’s is never empty. Image: Chris Chamberlain.
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PinYour Tesla is welcome at Buc-ee’s, especially since you’ll have time to kill while you charge. Image: Chris Chamberlain
However, their gas prices are usually quite competitive, and further discounts are available for signing up for a signature Buc-ee’s credit card or purchasing a car wash combo. Because, of course, they have their own credit card and car wash. Additionally, there are plenty of charging stations available at each location. Buc-ee’s would love for you to leave your car at the charger for an hour so you have time to partake in a bit of shopping!
#3: Dogs are welcome, but truckers are not.
Buc-ee’s locations feature dog parks so pups can stretch their legs. However, signs at each entrance warn that semis are not allowed. The chain does not offer diesel-filling facilities for 18-wheelers. There are several reasons for this (seemingly discriminatory) regulation: truck parking takes up too much space, truckers are on tight schedules and unlikely to shop, and overnight parking doesn’t generate revenue — not the beaver’s business model.
This corporate decision does at least offer an opportunity for smaller, independent gas stations to try to survive in the shadow of a Buc-ee’s.
PinWith this nice green space, cleaning up after your pups is only fair. Image: Chris ChamberlainPinNo trucks allowed! Image: Chris Chamberlain
#4: The food selection is spectacular.
“Gas station food” has traditionally gotten a bad rap — a mid-trip necessity versus something to look forward to. However, the food selection at Buc-ee’s is next level. In addition to the expected selection of chips and candy, Buc-ee’s features walls covered with every sort of snack imaginable, including dozens of beef jerky varieties.
PinFood options stretch the length of the store, and that’s a long way! Image: Chris ChamberlainPinThe Great Wall of Jerky! Image: Chris Chamberlain
Shoppers can choose from an impressive array of hot food options including Buc-ee’s famously overstuffed brisket and pulled pork sandwiches, as well as hot dogs, burgers, burritos, tacos, and biscuit sandwiches. In a hurry? There are plenty of grab-and-go ready to enjoy. A full bakery offers pastries, doughnuts, cinnamon rolls, and other baked goods, including sweet and savory kolaches, a Texas tradition spreading across the region thanks to Buc-ee’s expansion. Other food bars sell roasted and cinnamon-glazed nuts and multiple flavors of fudge, and no visit to Buc-ee’s is complete without buying a bag of Beaver Nuggets. This crave-able puffed snack lives somewhere on the Periodic Table of Food between caramel corn and corn pops.
Prepared food items are also available, so if you need some pickled quail eggs or your hot sauce pantry could use a few dozen new additions, they’ve got you covered.
#5: Shopping! No, seriously.
The inventory of your average Buc-ee’s (if there is such a thing) is mind-boggling. While it probably won’t fit in the trunk of your Camry, you can buy a full-size pit smoker to make your own brisket at home. Or maybe you’re a hunter and want to attract deer to your land with a five-foot-tall, 150 lb. deer feeder. They’ve got that, too. Perhaps you can strap that massive outdoor fire pit to the roof of your car using the ratchet straps that Buc-ee’s also sells.
The home furnishing department is staggering, offering everything from inspirational and humorous tea towels to cast iron cookware, candles, and cookbooks. Buc-ee’s caters to outdoors fans as well, with a vast assortment of yard games, beachwear, pool toys, camouflage clothing, and cowboy hats. Did we mention you can also get a Buc-ee’s Halloween costume?
PinIf you want to take one of these huge pit smokers home with you, you’ll have to hook up your trailer before the trip. Image: Chris ChamberlainPinYou could decorate a whole house with furnishings from Buc-ee’s. Image: Chris ChamberlainPinWe all know someone who needs this tea towel. Image: Chris ChamberlainPinA swim-up margarita bar is just about the only amenity that Buc-ee’s does not offer! Image: Chris Chamberlain
Naturally, Buc-ee’s also sells almost anything you can think of to feature an appliqée of its buck-toothed beaver mascot. The Buc-ee’s logo is ubiquitous around the South, where you’ll see people drinking out of branded mugs and glasses, partying in Buc-ee’s lawn chairs around Buc-ee’s coolers on Buc-ee’s camp tables. Walk down the beach in 30-A, and you’re almost sure to see at least one fellow tourist wearing a Buc-ee’s t-shirt. You, too, can be a walking Buc-ee’s billboard.
Interestingly, Buc-ee’s does not sell any of its merchandise online — much like how Masters gear isn’t available outside of the Augusta National Golf Club. Some third-party online shops sell Beaver Nuggets and Buc-ee’s-branded gear, but they must purchase it at retail prices in a Buc-ee’s store like everyone else before marking it up and selling it to fans online.
PinThere is a literal truckload of plush toys inside of Buc-ee’s. Image: Chris Chamberlain
#6: Buc-ee’s treats its employees extremely well.
With over 3,000 employees spread across seven states, Buc-ee’s has a huge staff to manage, and they care for them very well. The average starting pay is around $16-18 an hour, and managers can earn as much as $225,000 a year. No wonder they all have such big smiles when you walk through the door! Employees receive medical, dental, and vision insurance and a 401(k) match. Buc-ee’s workers get three weeks of paid time off every year, and the company has negotiated employee discounts at more than 250 retailers, from Kroger to John Deere, though curiously, not in their own stores.
PinThat beaver really does pay well! Image: Chris Chamberlain
The company posts its salary ranges on signs right outside the building, so you might be tempted to call your boss and say you’re not coming back from vacation. There are many worse places to spend your time than at a Buc-ee’s, that’s for sure!
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For more ideas about spots to stop along the way to your next vacation, visit our archives.
A rare Nashville native, Chris Chamberlain has been writing professionally for over 16 years. Chris loves to write about food, bourbon, and quirky history — especially in the South. Find more of Chris's work at the Nashville Scene, Resy, Fodor's, Tennessee Visitors Guide, Bourbon Plus, NFocus, Thrillist, and Eat This, Not That.
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