Bucee's is much more than a gas station

While driving back from New Orleans in the summer of 2021, we spotted our first Buc-ee’s Billboard in Alabama. The quirky slogans started appearing frequently along I-65 somewhere between Montgomery and Birmingham. As soon as I saw that buc-toothed beaver smiling, I knew we needed to take the slight detour off our planned route and check out this “convenience store”.

Buc-ee’s is known for its inexpensive fuel, seemingly endless pumps and no semis allowed.

While I had read a few social media posts about Buc-ee’s, I really didn’t know what all the fuss was about, but thought as a travel writer, it was my duty to check out this legendary “convenience” store. My daughter and her boyfriend (both teenagers) thought I was a bit crazy and wondered “why did we need to visit another convenience store?”

We ventured off onto I-20 to the Leeds exit and there in front of us was this seemingly endless array of gas pumps sitting in front of a shiny new building the size of a supermarket. The bright red letters spelling out Buc-ee’s along with that iconic buck-toothed beaver in a red cap led us to the entrance of this place of legends. Soon we would know what the buzz about Buc-ee’s was all about.

The sun never sets at Buc-ee’s which is open 24 hours a day, 7-days a week.

Not long after we returned home, there was an announcement that Buc-ee’s was coming to Crossville, TN, about an hour west of us. Then a short time later the announcement came about a Buc-ee’s coming to a new development at Exit 407 on I-40 in Sevier County, about an hour east of us. Both stores are now open and even more are in the works along some of our common travel routes, and perhaps to an exit near you, too.

When the 70,000+ square foot Buc-ee’s in Sevierville, TN opened in June 2023, it was the largest convenience store in the world.

How to explore Buc-ee’s

Walking inside a Buc-ee’s for the first time can be overwhelming to some and exhilarating to others. Dozens of workers in their bright red polos and t-shirts greet customers with a “Welcome to Buc-ee’s” or a Texas sized smile. Almost instantly the choices of what to check out first can leave you in a bit of a quandary, but don’t worry here are a few pointers on how to explore this store.

If you have a sweet tooth, no worries here, the Buc-ee’s fudge station features more than two dozen flavors flavors ranging from chocolate and peanut butter to banana pudding and birthday cake. You can order up your own assortments or choose a pre-assorted box for the road.

Boxes of assorted fudge line the counters and shelves at Buc-ee’s.

Beside the fudge station, soak in the aroma of the freshly roasted pecans, cashews and mixed nuts available in paper cones or in boxed assortments ready to take home. If that’s not what you are looking for, there are walls and aisles filled with candies like cinnamon bears, pecan logs and the famous Beaver Nuggets, which come in several other flavors other than classic. Overbites, a hockey puck sized peanut butter cup, is my personal favorite.

The chip aisle of a Buc-ee’s features dozens of store brand snacks as well as name brand ones.

For something on the salty side, you can grab bags of Cajun Boil or Sour Cream and Onion Buc-ee’s kettle style chips, and Buc-ee’s own version of a Cheeto.

If you’re in the mood for chips, take a trip down the aisle where you’ll find Cajun Boil, Sour Cream and Onion and other varieties of kettle style chips along with Baked Buc-ee’s Cheese-ee Curls and Puffs.

Brisket sandwiches at Buc-ee’s are a must if you are a BBQ lover. You can get sliced or chopped brisket on a variety of sandwiches and breakfast items.

Listen to the call of “Fresh Brisket on the Board” and head to the The Texas Round Up where you’ll find the famous Brisket sandwiches and other meaty creations.

Be sure and check out the bakery items, long cases filled with jerky or order up something from the kiosk.

Looking for home décor, you’ll find a Texas sized collection at Buc-ee’s along with cookbooks, local souvenirs and stuff for your pets.

And speaking of souvenirs, there’s a literal truckload of stuffed Buc-ee Beavers inside each store along with t-shirts galore, bathing suits and even pajamas.

Need a plush Buc-ee, a buc-ee swimsuit or a t-shirt? You’ll find it all and much more inside each Buc-ee’s store.

Last, but certainly not least, be sure and look for those big white letters at the back of the store back that lead you to the world-famous restrooms, a place that most people probably check out first. And did I mention, you can also fill up your gas tank at Buc-ee’s?

The restrooms at Buc-ee’s are “world famous” for being some of the cleanest you’ll find on the road.

While Buc-ee’s has spread outside of Texas and continues to add new stores, the chain is still very small when compared to convenience stores like 7-Eleven, Speedway, and Quick Trip, but the Buc-ee’s experience is definitely unlike anything else you’re likely to experience on a road trip. If you hear about a Buc-ee’s coming to your area chances are it may be a couple of years before you can actually step inside the doors. These massive stores require lots of planning, permitting and construction.