If you’ve taken a road trip through the South in the past few years, there’s a good chance you’ve spotted billboards featuring a grinning beaver in a ballcap beckoning you to stop for brisket and sparkling clean bathrooms. Buc-ee’s, the Texas-based gas station chain with Texas-sized convenience stores, has exploded in popularity since it expanded from its home state into Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Missouri, Mississippi, South Carolina, Tennessee, Kentucky, Virginia, and even one location out in Colorado. You’ve probably seen folks wearing Buc-ee’s T-shirts out at the grocery store or spotted the beaver mascot decal on the back of an SUV. But if you haven’t yet visited a Buc-ee’s, you might be wondering what the hubbub is all about. And if you have, you might be overwhelmed by the sheer size and madness of it all. Here, I, a brave Buc-ee’s regular, share some tips to help you make the most of your next trip.
Expect to lose time.
If you can’t really afford a detour on your road trip, you might just want to get your gas and go. Buc-ee’s stores are enormous—the Lulling, Texas, location actually holds the world record for the largest convenience store at 75,593 square feet. And even if you think you can just run in, grab a Diet Coke and leave, it takes a lot of willpower to not be distracted by the displays of treats you pass to get there, the smell of hot roasted nuts, or the latest seasonal merch (more on that later). Depending on the location, budgeting at least a half hour is a safe bet if you’re not just pumping gas.
Don’t leave your car at the pump.
Likewise, since you can easily spend an hour wandering the store, it’s rude to hog a gas lane for that long. Buc-ee’s always has ample parking away from the pump islands, so make sure to move your car after you fill up.
Park closer to the convenience side of the store.
While all stores are not the same, there are typically entrances in the center of the store and ones closer to the lifestyle wares and convenience store wares. In my experience, I’ve found the convenience entrance can often be less crowded.
Forget the Oreos and Lay’s.
Buc-ee’s is known for the shockingly large selection of snacks, and while you can buy the typical name-brand items you’d see at any gas station, where’s the adventure in that? Buc-ee’s has its own everything—potato chips, chocolates, saltwater taffy, yogurt-covered pretzels, cookies, trail mix, an entire wall devoted to jerky of all kinds, not to mention their signature Beaver Nuggets (a sugary corn puff snack). Why get Funyuns when you can have Buc-O’s? Find my full breakdown of Buc-ee’s snack collection here.
Get a savory kolache, but only in the morning.
In addition to snacks, Buc-ee’s prepares hot sandwiches, burritos, pastries, and other mealtime fare. The barbecue brisket sandwiches are by far the most famous (and surprisingly solid for fast-food barbecue), but the savory sausage kolaches are also worth a try. While you used to be able to order these anytime, in the past year Buc-ee’s shifted to only offering them in the mornings, so arrive accordingly. And be sure to have yours warmed.
Master the art of the car picnic.
Despite the fact that Buc-ee’s is known for its food as much as it is known for those clean bathrooms, there is absolutely zero seating. No outdoor picnic tables, no benches, nothing. So if you want to enjoy your food before hitting the road, you’ll need to hang out by your car. On warm days, my husband and I have popped the trunk, spread our food out, and enjoyed the sunshine while stretching our legs and eating our barbecue sandwiches. I’ve also hastily devoured a sandwich sitting behind the wheel as I sat parked in the pouring rain. You do what you gotta do.
Don’t miss the bathroom art gallery.
Buc-ee’s prides itself on its immaculate bathrooms, and I’ve never had a bad experience with the facilities. The lines also move fast because most locations have upwards of forty individual stalls. But be sure to look at the walls as you enter the restroom area—they’re galleries filled with original artwork for sale, curated for each location.
Visit at different times of the year.
If you love the Buc-ee’s branded merch, or really just seasonal merch in general, you’ll want to visit the store at different times of year. Buc-ee’s creates T-shirts for just about every holiday, from New Year’s Eve to the Fourth of July to Halloween—and the designs change annually. At Christmas you’ll find beaver ornaments, custom wrapping paper, and even a festive inflatable beaver mascot for your lawn. The store stocks non-branded decor for various holidays as well.
Know the onesies run a little small.
A random tip I discovered once my son was born—Buc-ee’s-brand onesies and rompers are adorable, and while they’ll fit true to size in the beginning, your baby might grow out of them quicker than other onesies. All three of my son’s Buc-ee’s outfits, each one a different size, were among the first items to go once he began transitioning to the next size up.
Let the hype die down.
Solid advice for any store opening, but especially a Buc-ee’s—if you don’t want to deal with massive crowds, wait at least a month before visiting a brand-new location. Yes, you might miss out on seeing the enormous inflatable beaver that usually graces a new store, but you won’t feel like a sardine smooshed against the jerky wall.
Make a plan.
Cell service can be slow within the building, and there’s a good chance you’ll lose sight of your road-tripping buddies, so come up with an exit strategy before folks scatter. Perhaps plan to meet up at a specific bay of cash registers or chosen entrance after everyone has had a bathroom break and grabbed snacks. Or you can always let everyone fend for themselves and meet back at the car.
