Elizabeth and I spent four days and three nights traveling through five states, following a planned route with specific stops, all part of a mission to visit six of the fifty-some Buc-ee’s gas stations. If you’ve never been, you should go. You don’t have to explore six like we did, but you should see at least one.
What makes Buc‑ee’s so popular? Imagine a place where the bathrooms are spotless, a half dozen sandwich chefs churn out hundreds of brisket sandwiches while you wait, and a zillion custom-made treasures waiting for the I gotta-get-me-one-of-those discerning shoppers. People don’t “stop” at Buc‑ee’s, they pilgrimage there. It’s the only gas station where you can buy fudge, a fire pit, a onesie, and a 64‑ounce soda without anyone batting an eye.
Buc‑ee’s has two quirks that made me scratch my head: no tables and no squeegees. You’d think a place selling enough food to feed a small army would offer a spot to sit, but no, Buc‑ee’s wants you to grab your goodies and keep moving. If they put tables out, folks would set up camp and they don’t want that.
And squeegees? Forget it. Buc‑ee’s doesn’t want a truck‑stop vibe or long stay campers. They want fast turnover, happy families, and a parking lot that doesn’t look like a semi‑truck convention. Get in, fill your tank, take a pee, buy a lot, and get gone.
So, there you have it: Buc‑ee’s has become a cultural event. It’s a place where you can fill your gas tank, fill your stomach, and fill your shopping cart with things you didn’t know you needed. And all without a single table. It’s a man-made highway oasis developed by a Texan with a Texas size dream.
I’d estimate that not counting separate times to go to visit a restroom, Elizabeth and I spent eighty-seven continuous hours with one another. We drove well over twelve hundred miles on expressways, four-lane divided highways and two-lane country roads. We visited several predetermined sites and sprinkled in a few stop and sees. I took notes on an old scratch pad I picked up as we headed out, and she drove every mile with the exception of the final four.
We did research for a project I won’t disclose, but if it comes to fruition, we’re going to be rich. She had an epiphany, shared it with her dad, and even if her dream doesn’t come true, mine did.
If you can’t help but wonder what’s next…here’s a few clues.
And like I said before…
Cody Johnson – ‘Til You Can’t (Official Music Video)
It’s my new anthem.
Love this! Just took a road trip with my dad and only one stop was planned. Buc-cees. He had never been. So we went and came back home. You have to do it at least once! And your anthem has also been mine lately……