Buc-ee’s Travel Center plans to open mega-sized gas station off Interstate 64 in New Kent County by 2027, local officials say

New Kent County, Virginia – Founded in 1982 by Arch “Beaver” Aplin III and Don Wasek in Lake Jackson, Texas, Buc-ee’s is a now one of the largest chain of travel centers in the United States, known for their clean facilities, wide selection of snacks and drinks, and famously large restrooms. Initially, the first store was just a small convenience store located near a highway, but the company has since expanded to much larger travel centers that can span over 60,000 square feet.

The company currently has more than 40 locations nationwide in the states of Texas, Georgia, Alabama, Florida, and South Carolina. As a “Cleanest Restrooms in America” from Cintas in 2020 winner and the “Best Gas Station in Texas” from Business Insider in 2018, Buc-ee’s now intends to open a new location in Virginia, in New Kent County, at least that’s what the local officials announced few days ago.

On Monday, officials from the Economic Department of New Kent County Virginia made a noteworthy announcement: Buc-ee’s Travel Center has conveyed their intention to establish a new location off Interstate 64 (Exit 211) within the county. As per the department’s social media post, the grandiose gas station, celebrated for its delectable barbecue and exceptional souvenirs, is scheduled to commence operations sometime in 2027.

Jeff Nadalo, the esteemed General Counsel and Spokesperson for Buc-ee’s, has verified that the Texas-based company is currently conducting its due diligence to scrutinize the New Kent plan and determine its feasibility in accordance with the company’s requirements.

New Kent officials said the 74,000 square-foot-store would have 120 fuel pumps and more than 550 parking spots.

“Buc-ee’s development team is currently working closely with VDOT and County planning staff to evaluate the transportation improvements required by the Project,” the New Kent County post read.

If everything goes to the plan, the company expects that one hundred thousand drivers would stop by every week.

“We’re going to have people on the secondary roads for less than a mile. Going somewhere anyway, getting off, spending money, getting right back on the interstate. So in the economic development world. No impact to your services, yet they spend their tax dollars here in the community,” Matthew Smolnick, New Kent County’s assistant county administrator, said.

Some of those improvements include:

• Ongoing efforts to widen Interstate 64
• Adding an interstate overpass

“A Conditional Use Permit has been submitted to the County’s Planning and Zoning Department,” the county posted on social media. “The Applicant’s request for this Conditional Use Permit is solely limited to the review and approval of a proposed sign plan.”

According to Jeff Nadalo, a seasoned General Counsel and Spokesperson for Buc-ee’s, the typical time frame for establishing a new Buc-ee’s location from the point of groundbreaking ranges from 14 to 20 months. Nadalo added that any update regarding Buc-ee’s proposed plan in New Kent would be communicated by the company. Furthermore, Nadalo disclosed that Buc-ee’s is presently exploring other expansion opportunities in Virginia; however, the New Kent plan has advanced the furthest in the selection process.

The county officials believe that Buc-ee’s Travel Center would serve as a catalyst for economic growth, as it has been projected to generate approximately 175 new full-time job opportunities, which would pay over $15 per hour.

Smolnick confirmed that local officials and the company have been working on this project for more than a year so far. Once the project is completed, it will boost the local community by employing dozens of local residents, but also make the are more attractive to other companies which will consider to make their future investments there.

“We’re going through those growing pains right now. New schools, new fire stations. How do we pay for this? How do we pay for it without burdening the citizens by increasing the tax rate? A project like this that’s a huge contributor to real estate, personal property, meals tax, that’s what we need to provide our citizens for their needs, but not tax them,” he said.