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The Buc-ee’s road stop chain has something of a cult following – and I fully admit that I’m part of that cult LOL.

Part gas station, part convenience store, part car wash, part carry-out restaurant, part bakery, part super clean restrooms and more, the brand has gained more and more fans for over 40 years.

I’ve always enjoyed the description of Buc-ee’s that a friend of ours posted on social media a few years ago, after their first visit to a Buc-ee’s:

I stopped at Buc-ees. It’s a pornographic fever dream where Wawa and a Live, Laugh, Pray kitchen plaque had a four way with a Sam’s Club and a Cracker Barrel. My tub of soda was .49 cents and I ate the hell outta that brisket tho.

The chain originated in Texas and remained exclusively within the state for decades. But about 6 years ago, they began expansion into other states:

• Alabama (Athens, Auburn, Leeds, Loxley)
• Colorado (Johnstown)
• Florida (Daytona Beach, St. Augustine)
• Georgia (Calhoun, Warner Robins)
• Kentucky (Richmond, Smiths Grove)
• Missouri (Springfield)
• South Carolina (Florence)
• Tennessee (Crossville, Sevierville)
• Texas (too many to list LOL!)

They’re also reportedly in the midst of either building or planning to build Buc-ee’s locations in:

• Arizona (Goodyear)
• Arkansas (Benton)
• Mississippi (Harrison County)
• North Carolina (Mebane)
• Ohio (Huber Heights)
• Virginia (Rockingham County and New Kent)
• Wisconsin (Oak Creek)
• Plus another store in Tennessee (Murfreesboro)

Buc-ee’s seems to have a certain formula for how and where they decide to build new locations. Simply put, they tend to be built on cheap land along popular interstate highways that are typically between 2 decent-sized cities. That’s why you see them on roads like I-10, I-35, I-95, etc.

But there are some states that, sadly, will probably never see a Buc-ee’s location. OK, never say “never.” But they probably won’t. Here’s why:

Alaska

Alaska has a couple of factors working against it in becoming home to a Buc-ee’s. First is its population – or lack thereof. With less than 750,000 citizens (according to estimates based on the 2020 census), none of its highways have enough people on them to sustain a Buc-ee’s. On top of that, Alaska is a long ride from the nearest warehouse to replenish its stock of anything.

California

If there’s one thing that California is not, it’s a place where you can find cheap land (or if you find something reasonable, it’s in the middle of nowhere). Beyond that, California has strict environmental standards and the rules Buc-ee’s would need to follow in the name of sustainability alone, might be more than they’d be willing to invest. And that’s to say nothing about the potential pollution due to increased traffic from tourists and visitors, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. I’m not sure if the Texas-based company and the state of California can find a middle ground that is comfortable for both entities.

Hawaii

Hawaii has about twice as many residents as Alaska does (roughly 1,441,000), but they’re spread out over several islands, which doesn’t make for good road traffic to sustain a Buc-ee’s. And, like Alaska, it’s far. Very far. Replenishing the store would probably cost more than Buc-ee’s would be willing to spend.

Massachusetts

The state of Massachusetts has the population and the highways between big cities that Buc-ee’s tends to seek out. However, Massachusetts also has strict zoning laws that may not align with the type of space Buc-ee’s typically requests.

New Jersey

New Jersey definitely has the population and the land, but it’s against the law to pump your own gas in New Jersey. And that would be a huge problem, with Buc-ee’s usually having between 100 and 120 gas pumps. The pay for gas attendants alone would undoubtedly be way more than Buc-ee’s would be willing to spend.

Rhode Island

As the smallest state in the country, Rhode Island doesn’t really have large swaths of highway that Buc-ee’s typically seeks out.

Vermont

Vermont prides itself on its conservation efforts, as well as locally driven economies. They try not to have commercial sprawl. Buc-ee’s, which is a big box store on 25-30 acres, and a chain, doesn’t appear to be in sync with Vermont’s commercial goals. Plus, Vermont’s largest city has fewer than 45,000 residents. That won’t work.

Washington

Washington prioritizes environmental protection and supports green building initiatives. Suffice it to say that Buc-ee’s…does not. Or at least not as much as Washington does. Between the constant emissions from cars and buses, and the plans for their buildings, Buc-ee’s probably wouldn’t bode well with Washington’s environmental goals.

All those states with smaller populations

States like Wyoming (less than 600,000) , North Dakota (just over 800,000), South Dakota (under 950,000), etc. – they may have the “wide open spaces,” but save for maaaaaaaybe select cities that are near tourist attractions, they just don’t have the people.

We could be wrong

Of course, we have no idea what’s going through the minds of Buc-ee’s corporate offices. And they don’t even mention their “upcoming” stores on their website; it’s more the local newspapers that say, “We’re getting a Buc-ee’s!” So who knows – maybe one of these days, a newspaper from New Jersey or California or Wyoming will suddenly have that sort of good news as their headline.

But I kinda doubt it.

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