Buc-ee’s massive travel centers (like the one pictured above in Texas) are a road-trip icon in the South, and now Virginia is about to get in on the fun. The wildly popular gas station chain Buc-ee’s has officially announced the grand opening of its first Virginia location next month. Drivers and road-trip enthusiasts are gearing up to experience this Texas-born phenomenon right here in the Commonwealth.

Virginia’s First Buc-ee’s: Where and When

Mark your calendars for June 30, 2025 – that’s the day Buc-ee’s opens its doors in Virginia. The new store is located in Rockingham County, at the Mount Crawford exit (Exit 240) along Interstate 81 just south of Harrisonburg. This spot is roughly 130 miles (about a 2 to 2.5-hour drive) west of the Washington, D.C. and Northern Virginia area. Buc-ee’s picked a prime highway location in the scenic Shenandoah Valley, making it an easy pit stop for travelers. In fact, this will be Buc-ee’s most northeastern location in the country to date – opening up the Buc-ee’s experience to a whole new group of Mid-Atlantic road trippers.

From Texas Roots to Road-Trip Icon

Buc-ee’s may be new to Virginia, but its legend has been growing for over four decades. The chain was founded in 1982 in Texas by Arch “Beaver” Aplin III and quickly earned a reputation for good food, huge locations, and super-clean bathrooms. (Its restrooms are so clean they won a national “Best Restroom in America” award in 2012!) For a long time, Buc-ee’s locations were found only in Texas, where it became a beloved roadside institution with its friendly beaver mascot. Starting in 2018, however, Buc-ee’s began expanding beyond Texas to other states. Today it boasts dozens of mega-sized stores across the South – from Alabama and Florida to Tennessee and now Virginia – and has developed a cult-like following of fans who happily go out of their way for a Buc-ee’s stop. Some have even dubbed Buc-ee’s the “Disney World of gas stations” for its fun, over-the-top travel center experience.

What to Expect: Giant Store & Signature Snacks

If you’ve never been to a Buc-ee’s, prepare to be amazed. The Virginia Buc-ee’s will be enormous – the building covers about 74,000 square feet (roughly one and a half football fields in size!). Out front, there will be a jaw-dropping 120 fuel pumps for gas, plus 20 EV charging stations, and parking for around 600 vehicles. In true Buc-ee’s fashion, the site will be open 24/7 and likely offer gasoline at some of the cheapest prices around. Inside the doors, you’ll find a sparkling clean interior (the chain takes pride in its spotless, award-winning restrooms) and aisles upon aisles of goodies.

One of the biggest draws is the fresh, Texas-style food made on site. Customers rave about the barbecue counter serving sliced brisket sandwiches, pulled pork, smoked turkey and sausages – you might even hear employees cheer “fresh brisket on the board!” when a new batch is ready. There’s also a bakery and sweets section offering homemade fudge, kolaches (Texas-Czech pastries), and fresh pastries baked daily. Don’t forget the self-serve kiosks where you can grab hot travel foods like tacos, kolaches, and the famous chopped brisket sandwiches to go. With thousands of snack and meal options available, no traveler leaves Buc-ee’s hungry!

Perhaps the most iconic snack of all is Beaver Nuggets – those addictive sweet caramel-coated corn puffs (pictured above) that have a cult following of their own. You’ll find entire shelves stocked with Beaver Nuggets (in various flavors) along with a vast selection of jerky, candies, nuts, and other unique treats emblazoned with the Buc-ee’s beaver logo. The store will also carry a treasure trove of Buc-ee’s branded merchandise and souvenirs. From T-shirts and hats to plush beaver dolls (and even Buc-ee’s onesies for babies), there’s plenty of quirky swag to commemorate your visit. In short, the new Virginia Buc-ee’s is bringing all the fan-favorite offerings that have “won the hearts, trust and business of millions in the South for over 40 years”.

Getting There: A Road Trip from Northern VA

Road-trip lovers in Northern Virginia have an easy route to this new destination. To get there, head west from the DC metro area on Interstate 66, then merge onto I-81 South in the Shenandoah Valley. Stay on I-81 all the way to Exit 240 (Mount Crawford) – just south of Harrisonburg – and you’ll see the big Buc-ee’s complex right off the exit. The drive is roughly two to two-and-a-half hours from most of Northern VA, making it perfect for a day trip or a stop on longer travels. (Just be sure to bring your appetite and curiosity – you might spend more time inside Buc-ee’s than you expect!)

Buzzing with Excitement: Fan and Official Reactions

The arrival of Buc-ee’s in Virginia has people downright giddy. On social media, locals and Buc-ee’s aficionados have been cheering the news. One Buc-ee’s fan page even exclaimed, “BIG NEWS, Y’ALL! Buc-ee’s is packin’ up the beaver nuggets and headin’ to Virginia!” – a sentiment echoed by many excited commenters counting down the days. Even Virginia’s governor joined in the celebration. “Virginia is proud to welcome @bucees to the Commonwealth!” Governor Glenn Youngkin posted on X (Twitter), highlighting that the project brings 200 jobs and over $60 million in investment to the state, and quipping, “I look forward to stopping by for some Beaver Nuggets soon!”. Rockingham County officials also publicly thanked Buc-ee’s for choosing the area for its first Virginia store.

All this buzz suggests the grand opening on June 30 will be quite the event – expect plenty of road trippers, curiosity-seekers, and Buc-ee’s superfans to converge on Mount Crawford to celebrate the big day. Whether you’re in it for the brisket, the snacks, the spotless bathrooms or just the sheer novelty, Buc-ee’s first Virginia location is set to make a splash. Get ready to fill up the tank, grab some Beaver Nuggets, and join the fun – Buc-ee’s is finally in Virginia, and it’s going to be one sweet (and savory) summer road trip destination!

Ready to Experience Buc-ee’s Magic?

Don’t miss out on Virginia's biggest road-trip stop! Mark your calendars, grab your friends and family, and join the celebration on June 30. Share your Buc-ee’s adventure on social media using #BuceesVA—see you there!

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— Chris Colgan, Realtor & Founder