My First Time at a Buc-ee’s
I hadn’t heard much about Buc-ee’s. Then, a store opened in Colorado in March 2024 and suddenly it seemed to be all anyone was talking about. Last fall on a road trip with Justin between Florida and South Carolina, we kept seeing the signs for a Buc-ee’s and decided to find out what all the fuss was about.
We stopped at the one off I-95 near Saint Augustine. The line of cars just to get off the highway was a sign of what was to come. The parking lot was enormous, and completely full. I couldn’t believe a gas station could draw this kind of a crowd.
Stepping inside was a true sensory overload. It was incredibly bright, with noises echoing off the walls and employees constantly calling out hot food. People were everywhere. But despite the chaos, the place smelled delicious. Our first stop was the bathroom, which I had heard rumors about. Wow. They are genuinely incredible—massive, with countless stalls and sinks. The lights on the doors to indicate occupancy were a fantastic touch.
After that mandatory pit stop, we browsed the hot food area,. Their BBQ and meats is a big draw, but as a vegetarian there weren’t a lot of options, I grabbed an egg and bean burrito. We also picked up a bag of Beaver Nuggets, the famous puffed corn snack that Buc-ee’s is known for. With our bounty in hand, I was ready to leave the crowd and get back on the road.
My Second Time at Buc-ee’s
Fast forward a few months, and I found myself on a ride up to Fort Collins, Colorado, with two girlfriends. On the way back to Denver, I asked them if they’d ever been to a Buc-ee’s, I was curious what they thought about all the fuss. And, when they said no, I insisted on a quick stop. This time, the crowds seemed a little more manageable, and my friends were just as amazed. After another visit to the impossibly clean restrooms, we took our time exploring the huge retail space. I was shocked by the sheer amount of things they sell, from housewares and toys to every kind of T-shirt, bathing suits, cups, imaginable. My friends were so enthusiastic that we ended up getting matching 4th of July shirts and I grabbed a cute straw for my drink. They made the trip more fun and exciting.
I was also very impressed by the salary posted outside the store, advertising some open positions. If Buc-ee’s was closer to my home, maybe I’d consider applying, the benefits are more than I get at my current job.
I still don’t fully get the craze. Buc-ee’s is a huge gas station with tons of pumps, an insane number of immaculate bathrooms, some great hot food, and a whole lot of stuff you don’t actually need. Would I go back? I don’t know if I’d willingly fight the crowds, but if it was the only place around – sure. But if there is a less crowded option across the street, and I want to be on my way faster, I could easily skip it.