# 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:** 13
**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:** [August 26, 2026, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buc-ees-worlds-largest-service-plaza/986309/242 "2026-08-26T22:54:35Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#): > > Don’t remember gas prices. I do, since I need premium and they’re one of the few chains left which have a spread significantly lower than $1.00 over regular (usually +60 cents). ---
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2026, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buc-ees-worlds-largest-service-plaza/986309/243 "2026-08-27T00:25:19Z")
> [@Odesio](#): > > Buc-ee’s isn’t enough of an attraction to draw me to visit in and of itself. The rest stop rodent will not be denied! Your will is ebbing, need brisket. 🤪 ---
**Author:** ![Odesio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/odesio/32/20003_2.png) [@Odesio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Odesio)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2026, 2:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buc-ees-worlds-largest-service-plaza/986309/244 "2026-08-27T02:34:16Z")
> [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](#): > > The rest stop rodent will not be denied! Your will is ebbing, need brisket. 🤪 Wright’s BBQ is actually on the way to my nearest Buc-ee’s. I’ll stop there instead. ---
**Author:** ![ZonexandScout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zonexandscout/32/544_2.png) [@ZonexandScout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZonexandScout)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2026, 2:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buc-ees-worlds-largest-service-plaza/986309/245 "2026-08-27T14:22:39Z")
Mebane, NC, is on the list of new locations. Even though it’s almost 60 miles from Raleigh to Mebane, local Raleigh news has had numerous stories and updates on the Buc-ee’s like it’s the Second Coming. I get the impression that we’re all supposed to drive over to see it like it’s going to be a natural wonder or something…when it opens in 2028. “C’mon, kids! Screw the train ride at Pullen Park! We’re going to Buc-ee’s!!” ---
**Author:** ![MrAtoz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@MrAtoz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrAtoz)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2026, 2:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buc-ees-worlds-largest-service-plaza/986309/246 "2026-08-27T14:34:04Z")
I saw a meme (or something) on Facebook about Buc-ee’s declaring that they would only be opening new stores in red states from now on, so they could be in places that weren’t “hostile to business,” etc. Along with the reply: “The great thing about blue states is that they have actual cultural attractions, and don’t have to pretend that a gas station is one.” ---
**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:** [August 27, 2026, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buc-ees-worlds-largest-service-plaza/986309/247 "2026-08-27T14:36:08Z")
> [@ZonexandScout](#): > > “C’mon, kids! Screw the train ride at Pullen Park! We’re going to Buc-ee’s!!” You laugh, but there are people like this. I’ll stop if I need gas, a charge, or to pee. Otherwise, there are too many people. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2026, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buc-ees-worlds-largest-service-plaza/986309/248 "2026-08-27T14:39:29Z")
Mebane is right outside of where my mom lives, and I swear to God if this dollar store Carowinds makes traffic more difficult when I’m visiting her… ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2026, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buc-ees-worlds-largest-service-plaza/986309/249 "2026-08-27T14:52:16Z")
> [@MrAtoz](#): > > I saw a meme (or something) on Facebook about Buc-ee’s declaring that they would only be opening new stores in red states from now on, so they could be in places that weren’t “hostile to business,” etc. Wow. I looked on Google News and that’s pretty much what the president of the company said. Now I’m much less likely to visit one of their stores even if I’m ever again near one. And as I said upthread, I don’t like that they don’t provide any place where I can sit down to eat the food. The service plazas on the interstate highways in the Northeast (mostly blue states) _also_ have clean bathrooms, food to eat, gas to buy and have places to sit and eat. ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2026, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buc-ees-worlds-largest-service-plaza/986309/250 "2026-08-27T16:28:28Z")
Ohio (or at least Ohio Reddit) is pissed at Buc-ees, for the reasons outlined in the Jon Oliver segment (going after stores with long-standing beaver logos). They have one in Huber Heights - the Dayton area - and that’s what spurred the lawsuit. I think Ohio’s pushback is what made the owner make his statement about “red states” and he’ll be taking his ball and leaving Ohio. Except the one place that he’s already got set up and I’m sure is making money. But he dasn’t try to come any further north in Ohio. We’re not having it. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2026, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buc-ees-worlds-largest-service-plaza/986309/251 "2026-09-01T14:37:45Z")
I thought Ohio was a red state? ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2026, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buc-ees-worlds-largest-service-plaza/986309/252 "2026-09-01T14:46:49Z")
Yeah we’re going through an identity crisis. Turns out when you fuck with the rural convenience store, the rural people get mad. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2026, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buc-ees-worlds-largest-service-plaza/986309/253 "2026-09-01T17:08:12Z")
I haven’t been yet. Its only been open a couple weeks. There is a lot of excitement locally that buc-ees is here. I had assumed buc-ees was primarily a tourist attraction. Something to experience on a long trip. Apparently it also draws a lot of local people. I guess their prices are reasonable? [https://www.kark.com/news/local-news/buc-ees-opens-its-doors-in-benton/](https://www.kark.com/news/local-news/buc-ees-opens-its-doors-in-benton/) ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2026, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buc-ees-worlds-largest-service-plaza/986309/254 "2026-09-01T17:22:11Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > Apparently it also draws a lot of local people I’d correct that to “The _grand openings_ draw a lot of people.” I’d bet some locals who live right nearby will continue to buy gas there; it’s usually a tad cheaper than others nearby. Most won’t. But as a local convenience market it sucks. Too huge and too many people. And mostly not that sort of merch / food. As fast food goes it’s slow and no drive-thru. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2026, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buc-ees-worlds-largest-service-plaza/986309/255 "2026-09-01T19:50:43Z")
Does anyone here know how the gas prices compare to, say, Costco? Is Buc-ee’s the lowest cost option? ---
**Author:** ![LurkMeister](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/3da27b/32.png) [@LurkMeister](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LurkMeister)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2026, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buc-ees-worlds-largest-service-plaza/986309/256 "2026-09-02T16:30:28Z")
They had originally wanted to open the Buc-ee’s somewhere in Orange County, just south of Mebane but IIRC there were a lot of protests about getting the proper zoning for the location they wanted. Of course, Orange County is one of the blue zones in NC. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2026, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buc-ees-worlds-largest-service-plaza/986309/257 "2026-09-03T14:55:28Z")
[What the Buc-ee’s president said](https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/bucees-ceo-conservative-states/): > [@](#): > > We’re building in a lot of places but when you find a conservative, business-friendly state with a phenomenal workforce, it makes a difference. And I’m starting to realize life’s too short to try and build in places that people don’t appreciate what you’re bringing. Versus a place like this, where people do appreciate what you’re building. Foxoids have been trumpeting that statement as indicating the chain won’t build in blue states, but that isn’t exactly what the corporate bozo said. It does suggest that if there’s significant local pushback and the governor of a state doesn’t fawn over the opportunity to welcome them, they’ll go elsewhere. It’s not a good business move to pre-emptively wipe a lot of potential expansion areas off your planning map. I don’t much care if there aren’t any along my routes, though it’d be beneficial if they stuck one in Connecticut, which is an Interstate traveler’s food desert. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2026, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buc-ees-worlds-largest-service-plaza/986309/258 "2026-09-03T14:58:57Z")
Except that there are large service plazas along I-95 in Connecticut. And small ones along Route 15. Plus the land acquisition costs and high labor costs would make it expensive for Buc-ee’s to operate. ---
**Author:** ![Crafter\_Man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crafter_man/32/458_2.png) [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2026, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buc-ees-worlds-largest-service-plaza/986309/259 "2026-09-03T16:11:37Z")
> [@ZipperJJ](#): > > Ohio (or at least Ohio Reddit) is pissed at Buc-ees, for the reasons outlined in the Jon Oliver segment (going after stores with long-standing beaver logos). They have one in Huber Heights - the Dayton area - and that’s what spurred the lawsuit. I drive right by that one when going to/from work. Stopped by once. Not sure what the big deal is. ---
**Author:** ![Odesio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/odesio/32/20003_2.png) [@Odesio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Odesio)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2026, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buc-ees-worlds-largest-service-plaza/986309/260 "2026-09-03T20:19:54Z")
> [@Crafter\_Man](#): > > I drive right by that one when going to/from work. Stopped by once. Not sure what the big deal is. As gas station/convenience stores go, it’s fairly impressive, but at the end of the day it’s just a gas station/convenience store. If you’re traveling and want to stop somwhere for gas, snacks, and a place to use the restroom it’s not a bad choice. And as busy as Buc-ee’s is, it doesn’t take any more time to go there than it does a Love’s or Casey’s unless you decide to browse. I get why people like it, but I don’t really get the hype either. ---
**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:** [September 3, 2026, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buc-ees-worlds-largest-service-plaza/986309/261 "2026-09-03T20:22:54Z")
> [@Jackmannii](#): > > Foxoids have been trumpeting that statement as indicating the chain won’t build in blue states, but that isn’t exactly what the corporate bozo said. It does suggest that if there’s significant local pushback and the governor of a state doesn’t fawn over the opportunity to welcome them, they’ll go elsewhere. And, as I think I noted upthread, they are building a new Buc-ee’s in purple Wisconsin. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buc-ees-worlds-largest-service-plaza/986309.md?page=12) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buc-ees-worlds-largest-service-plaza/986309.md?page=14)