Buc-ee’s or Bust: A Road-Trip Revival
Growing up, my parents would take my brothers and me on extensive travels in a trailer. The first one was a pop-up, but then they purchased an Airstream. My parents slept in the full bed at the front of the trailer, while my brothers slept in the twin beds along the sides in the middle. I slept on a board suspended between them! Good thing we didn’t have to get up in the middle of the night very often.
With the Airstream, we frequently visited Stuckey’s travel centers. Airstreamers were allowed to stay overnight in the parking lots if necessary. I have fond memories of their pecan logs and sampling different flavors of honey. Founded in 1937, Stuckey’s flourished into a massive highway network. Sadly, the number of locations declined as I reached adulthood. Whenever I occasionally see one today, those wonderful childhood memories come rushing back.
The Modern Highway Phenomenon
Now, we have Buc-ee’s travel centers. In 1982, the first Buc-ee’s opened in Texas, though they began expanding with massive travel centers around 2012. Somewhere in Texas is where I visited my very first one. I remember it being well-designed, full of fun items, and packed with energy.
As of this July, there are 56 locations across 13 states. A new location opened right here in Arizona on June 22, 2026, in Goodyear! It features a massive 74,000-square-foot building and a staggering 120 gas pumps.
A friend and I were traveling to California on a Saturday (this detail is important!), and our route took us right past the new Goodyear location. Naturally, we had to stop. We worried we might miss the exit—ha! The signs are absolutely gigantic. As we turned onto the off-ramp, we were met with four lanes packed with cars. The two left lanes snaked directly into the parking lot. We were welcomed by the famous beaver logo on the front of a warehouse-sized building, flanked on both sides by an almost unimaginable line of gas pumps.
We needed fuel, so we hunted for an open pump. It quickly became clear that many visitors had stopped for gas and then headed straight inside, leaving their vehicles parked right at the pump! Still, we filled up with gas that was 50 cents cheaper per gallon than in either Tucson or Phoenix, definitely worth the stop.
Navigating the Mass of Humanity
Being polite, we moved my friend’s car after fueling to hunt for a proper parking space. That was when we realized why everyone left their cars at the pumps—parking was nearly impossible! Even with a handicapped placard, we couldn’t find an available spot near the entrance. Eventually, we found a space out near the road.
Once inside, it was wall-to-wall people! This store, which felt like it went on for blocks, was absolutely packed. The line for fresh hot sandwiches wrapped around in circles. There was fresh food, jerky, candy, clothes, toys, packaged goods, and home decor, anything you could possibly imagine with a Buc-ee’s logo.
Eager to get back on the road to California, we opted not to wait in the long line for the famous warm brisket sandwiches. Instead, we grabbed bowls of mac and cheese topped with brisket and ate as we drove west. Oh, it was so good!
In talking with the cashier, we learned that weekends are always a spectacle—it has become a family outing to go to Buc-ee’s! People were walking out carrying towers of snacks. The cashier mentioned that over 40,000 people visited during their opening weekend. I swear there were thousands there during our Saturday stop.
Since we would be returning on a weekday, we hoped for a calmer visit to finally secure one of those legendary brisket sandwiches.
The Midweek Redemption
On our return trip, we made a point to stop again. The big billboard featuring the Buc-ee’s beaver made the turnoff obvious once more.
Thankfully, the crowds were far more manageable on a weekday. We easily stepped into the sandwich line and ordered the sliced brisket sandwich for easy eating on the road. It was incredibly tasty! I was tempted by all the flavored popcorn options near the checkout, but I resisted, saving that treat for another day.
I completely understand the excitement surrounding Buc-ee’s. It feels like a modern step up from the road-trip magic I felt as a kid visiting Stuckey’s. While I might not choose it for a weekend family outing myself, to each their own!
On my next visit, I’ll definitely be picking up an assortment of brisket items. They are truly delicious, and those discounted gas prices certainly don’t hurt either!
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