# Buc-ee's - world's largest service plaza **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [June 29, 2023, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buc-ees-worlds-largest-service-plaza/986309 "2023-06-29T19:36:29Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 10
**Author:** ![Mollie\_Magill](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mollie_magill/32/20882_2.png) [@Mollie\_Magill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mollie_Magill)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2026, 12:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buc-ees-worlds-largest-service-plaza/986309/182 "2026-06-23T12:44:33Z")
The gas is cheap. I think they use it as a loss leader to get you inside. The bathrooms are clean. It’s the only gas station bathroom where I’m not afraid to sit down. Otherwise, it’s a massive sea of humanity which tries my patience within thirty seconds. ---
**Author:** ![Great\_Antibob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e47c2d/32.png) [@Great\_Antibob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Great_Antibob)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2026, 12:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buc-ees-worlds-largest-service-plaza/986309/183 "2026-06-23T12:48:44Z")
I haven’t noticed the gas was any cheaper than elsewhere. But the bathrooms are clean and huge. And the food is several steps up from typical gas station fare. The more recent popularity of the place has made it harder to justify going, though. It was always more of a stopover on road trips, and it’s gone from a quick high quality gas and restroom stop to often a half hour dealing with the crowds. ---
**Author:** ![MrAtoz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@MrAtoz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrAtoz)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2026, 1:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buc-ees-worlds-largest-service-plaza/986309/184 "2026-06-23T13:53:45Z")
The ones that I have stopped at, on I-75 in Georgia, seem to have huge crowds at all hours. Be careful not to get separated from your traveling companions; you may never find them again! 🙂 It’s certainly not the kind of place you can just pop in for a quick stop. And despite having a huge number of gas pumps, it’s still hard to find one that’s available! A lot of Buc-ee’s locations do seem to be adding EV chargers in a big way. Since you’re going to be stopped for 20 minutes to a half hour anyway if you’re charging an EV, I suppose Buc-ee’s is a good place to make that stop. You’re going to need that much time just to get in and out of the place, so you might as well charge your car while you’re at it. ---
**Author:** ![Great\_Antibob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e47c2d/32.png) [@Great\_Antibob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Great_Antibob)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2026, 1:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buc-ees-worlds-largest-service-plaza/986309/185 "2026-06-23T13:55:21Z")
Yeah, there was once a time you could pop in and out of even one of the big travel centers in less than 10 minutes, including the time gassing up. That’s no longer the case. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2026, 1:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buc-ees-worlds-largest-service-plaza/986309/186 "2026-06-23T13:56:12Z")
I don’t know about the comparison of gas prices. But you shouldn’t be bothered to go indoors if you pay at the pump. Unless there are long gas lines. Shouldn’t take anymore time as any gas pump.IMHO Indoors it’s basically a tourist stop/shop. It’s fun once. ---
**Author:** ![Great\_Antibob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e47c2d/32.png) [@Great\_Antibob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Great_Antibob)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2026, 2:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buc-ees-worlds-largest-service-plaza/986309/187 "2026-06-23T14:00:39Z")
There’s hardly any point in going to one if you’re just going for gas. There are other places and the gas isn’t usually any cheaper or more expensive than the corner station down the road. The advantages of going are the big, clean restrooms and the food items. I hate to pull the “back in my day” card but it really was much less of a hassle to go there. It’s just gotten way too popular to be a quick stop anymore. That said, the original small ‘normal’ gas stations are still around in different locations and they’re fine. Not worth going out of your way for, but ok for your regular fillups and such. ---
**Author:** ![John\_DiFool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_difool/32/19543_2.png) [@John\_DiFool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_DiFool)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2026, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buc-ees-worlds-largest-service-plaza/986309/188 "2026-06-23T14:32:59Z")
> [@Great\_Antibob](#): > > There’s hardly any point in going to one if you’re just going for gas. There are other places and the gas isn’t usually any cheaper or more expensive than the corner station down the road. It is if I need premium, which I do, as almost every other chain in the country now has at least $1.00+ markups, while Buc’cees remains @ 60 cents. Wal-Mart is one of the only others that has kept pace. B. also remains somewhat immune to price-cycling and is almost always going to be the cheapest even for regular in any given area. ---
**Author:** ![Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba9def/32.png) [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Asking_Questions)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2026, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buc-ees-worlds-largest-service-plaza/986309/189 "2026-06-23T14:43:25Z")
> [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](#): > > The first one just opened in Arizona, and it was a big freakin’ deal! Even the Governor showed up. I’ll bet she didn’t have to sit in those hours-long lines. Oh well, in a month, or two, I’ll go see. Even in the same city as me, it’s nearly an hour drive out there. > [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](#): > > but I saw a billboard near Tucson that said (more or less) 957 miles to a Buc-ees. > [@hajario](#): > > There will be one in Goodyear, AZ soon. Just 130 miles away. Two years later! Woot! ---
**Author:** ![MrAtoz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@MrAtoz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrAtoz)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2026, 2:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buc-ees-worlds-largest-service-plaza/986309/190 "2026-06-23T14:48:22Z")
Yes, one of the thing Buc-ee’s is known for is billboards hundreds of miles away from their next location on the interstate. I suppose it’s intended to build anticipation. By the time you get there, you’ve seen so many billboards that you feel like they’re an old friend that you just have to drop in and say hello to. I’ve become more fond of stopping at QwikTrip or Wawa, when I can find them. They’re not nearly as crowded, also usually have clean restrooms, and even tend to have hot food of various kinds. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2026, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buc-ees-worlds-largest-service-plaza/986309/191 "2026-06-23T14:59:42Z")
> [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](#): > > Two years later! Woot! Just a six hour drive for me. ---
**Author:** ![Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba9def/32.png) [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Asking_Questions)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2026, 3:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buc-ees-worlds-largest-service-plaza/986309/192 "2026-06-23T15:03:30Z")
> [@MrAtoz](#): > > Yes, one of the thing Buc-ee’s is known for is billboards hundreds of miles away from their next location on the interstate. I suppose it’s intended to build anticipation. Well, when the billboard says 957 miles, even if I were going that way. I’ll still have to stop 3-4 times before I get there. Speaking I10 near Tucson, the THING? billboards knew how to build antici .. pation, for a hundred miles. You almost had to stop just to see what it was. Almost. ---
**Author:** ![Babale](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/babale/32/15666_2.png) [@Babale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Babale)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2026, 1:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buc-ees-worlds-largest-service-plaza/986309/193 "2026-06-24T01:01:27Z")
> [@Mollie\_Magill](#): > > The bathrooms are clean. It’s the only gas station bathroom where I’m not afraid to sit down. > > Otherwise, it’s a massive sea of humanity which tries my patience within thirty seconds. How do they manage that? Very frequent cleanings? ---
**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2026, 1:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buc-ees-worlds-largest-service-plaza/986309/194 "2026-06-24T01:21:26Z")
> [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](#): > > Speaking I10 near Tucson, the THING? billboards knew how to build antici > .. > > pation, for a hundred miles. You almost had to stop just to see what it was. > > Almost. I would say any fan of roadside attractions owes themselves a visit if they’re passing by. The “old” version was pretty funky but the reimagined “Aliens vs. Dinosaurs” version is really well done and definitely worth $5. ---
**Author:** ![kitap](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b9e5f3/32.png) [@kitap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kitap)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2026, 1:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buc-ees-worlds-largest-service-plaza/986309/195 "2026-06-24T01:35:04Z")
Yep. They hire people specifically to be bathroom cleaners. Qlso, tbeir insulated tumblers are awesome. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2026, 2:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buc-ees-worlds-largest-service-plaza/986309/196 "2026-06-24T02:08:04Z")
The closest thing I’ve ever seen to a Buc-ees is Terrible’s in Jean, MV. Billed as the World’s Largest Chevron Station. 96 pumps, huge store, in-store White Castle and immaculate restrooms. Still not a Buc-ees. ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2026, 2:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buc-ees-worlds-largest-service-plaza/986309/197 "2026-06-24T02:09:53Z")
> [@kenobi\_65](#): > > a brand-new one on I-70 in Dayton, Ohio. Ohio? That means they’re jumping right into the Midwestern stronghold of copycat rival [Wally’s](https://www.wallys.com/) They’re opening a location east of Indianapolis, less than 90 minutes from Dayton. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2026, 2:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buc-ees-worlds-largest-service-plaza/986309/198 "2026-06-24T02:13:45Z")
> [@Kent\_Clark](#): > > Ohio? That means they’re jumping right into the Midwestern stronghold of copycat rival [Wally’s](https://www.wallys.com/) They’re opening a location east of Indianapolis, less than 90 minutes from Dayton. They are, indeed. They are opening one in Oak Creek, WI (on I-94, just south of Milwaukee) next year; another planned one north of Madison, WI is apparently on hold right now. > **[Texas-based 'mega' travel center chain opening within 100 miles of Chicago](https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/plans-approved-for-buc-ees-mega-travel-center-within-100-miles-of-chicago/3829474/)** > > The plan commission in Oak Creek, Wisconsin, approved a proposal for a Buc-ee's travel center and gas station along Interstate 94. ---
**Author:** ![DesertDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/desertdog/32/11503_2.png) [@DesertDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DesertDog)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2026, 6:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buc-ees-worlds-largest-service-plaza/986309/199 "2026-06-24T06:00:27Z")
> [@MrAtoz](#): > > Yes, one of the thing Buc-ee’s is known for is billboards hundreds of miles away from their next location on the interstate. I suppose it’s intended to build anticipation. By the time you get there, you’ve seen so many billboards that you feel like they’re an old friend The one mentioned in Arizona was on I-10 west between Tucson and Phoenix and had a U-turn icon on it. Perhaps they wanted to keep dibs on the billboard while prepping for the Goodyear opening. ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2026, 6:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buc-ees-worlds-largest-service-plaza/986309/200 "2026-06-24T06:20:38Z")
> [@hajario](#): > > Good news. There will be one in Goodyear, AZ soon. Just 130 miles away. They couldn’t put a Buc-ee’s in Buckeye, AZ? I guess that wouldn’t be on the freeway. My dad lives in Buckeye. ---
**Author:** ![Idle\_Thoughts](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/838e76/32.png) [@Idle\_Thoughts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Idle_Thoughts)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2026, 11:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buc-ees-worlds-largest-service-plaza/986309/201 "2026-06-24T11:26:58Z")
> [@MrAtoz](#): > > Yes, one of the thing Buc-ee’s is known for is billboards hundreds of miles away from their next location on the interstate. I suppose it’s intended to build anticipation. By the time you get there, you’ve seen so many billboards that you feel like they’re an old friend that you just have to drop in and say hello to. > > I’ve become more fond of stopping at QwikTrip or Wawa, when I can find them. They’re not nearly as crowded, also usually have clean restrooms, and even tend to have hot food of various kinds. I read the first paragraph of this post (without reading the rest, FYI) and immediately thought to myself "I only remember seeing that once in my life… When I lived in Northern Ontario in Canada for a while, alongside that highway up there, they had a billboard advertising a “Wawa”… With the picture of a duck flying on it. We used to pass that sign all the time and I always found it odd that they were advertising a place that was a good 800 mi away or so. In fact the first time I saw it, I thought maybe they were mistaking 8 Miles for 800 miles…… Because it did not make any sense to me the advertise for a place that was nowhere near where you currently were. I never did find out what a “Wawa” was… But any way, then I read the rest of your post and I see that you even mention Wawa yourself. Truck stop. Now I know. Even though I did not live in Canada for the last 20 years. I find it a little bit odd that you are putting QuikTrip into the same sentence as it though, here quick trips are convenience stores that are on the corner of places… I don’t see a billboard advertising a small convenience store, such as a 7-eleven, 800 mi away. So either the quick trips you have there are much bigger than we have here or you are comparing an apple to an orange when you put Wawa and QuikTrip in the same sentence. Or, I guess it’s possible that Wawa is just a convenience store, but something is telling me it’s probably not… So it’s probably something else that I’m missing. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buc-ees-worlds-largest-service-plaza/986309.md?page=9) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buc-ees-worlds-largest-service-plaza/986309.md?page=11)