Buc-ee's, the popular Texas-based travel center chain, is significantly expanding its national footprint, recently opening its first Arizona location and solidifying plans for at least 15 more massive roadside centers through 2029. The expansion marks a continued push for the brand, which has grown from its Lone Star State origins into a national travel-stop phenomenon.
The latest development occurred Monday with the opening of Buc-ee's first Arizona store in Goodyear, a suburb of Phoenix. The new 74,000-square-foot facility features 120 fuel pumps, operates 24 hours a day, and is expected to create over 200 jobs. Company officials anticipate the location will attract substantial traffic, with estimates suggesting up to 40,000 vehicles could visit during its opening week.
"We could not have picked a better location for our first store in the Grand Canyon State," said Stan Beard, Buc-ee's director of real estate development. "Perfectly placed for road-trippers headed to California or into the Phoenix area, Goodyear will be the place to stop."
Founded in 1982, Buc-ee's currently operates 56 locations across 13 states. The company has a robust pipeline of new stores, with several already scheduled for opening in 2026. These include planned locations in San Marcos, Texas, in August; Benton, Arkansas, later that same month; and Murfreesboro, Tennessee, in November.
Further expansion is mapped out for 2027 and beyond, with sites planned in Louisiana, Kansas, Tennessee, Florida, and Georgia. Even 2028 and 2029 have additional mega-stops scheduled for North Carolina, Kentucky, Arkansas, and Florida. This ongoing expansion includes the recent opening of Buc-ee's first Ohio location in Huber Heights earlier this year, indicating a steady advance into the Midwest.
Buc-ee's expansion strategy focuses on large-format travel centers designed to cater to road travelers, offering fuel, food, and amenities such as notably clean restrooms. The chain's growth indicates a strategy to establish a significant presence across the country.