Buc-ee’s is truly one of the most amazing places you can go in America.
There’s a reason its nickname is the “Disney World of gas stations.”
It’s that special!
There’s only one problem…
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While there are plenty of new Buc-ee’s being built today all over the country…
Fact is that the vast majority of current Buc-ee’s are just in Texas – and most of the new ones won’t come online until 2026 or later.
So if you moved out of the area – or discovered Buc-ee’s on a roadtrip – what are you gonna do?
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I have some ideas, but first it’s just worth acknowledging that there’s no place like Buc-ee’s.
I mean, the average Buc-ee’s is over 50,000 square feet, vs a typical convenience store size of 2,000-4,000 square feet.
That’s a big difference!
And you’re not going to get anything like the selection at Buc-ee’s anywhere else (aside from a Costco or BJ’s – maybe).
However…
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There are several gas stations that incorporate elements of what makes Buc-ee’s so special.
It’s not like you have to pick between road-tripping out to Buc-ee’s or being stuck at Exxon or 7-Eleven forever.
So whether it’s super clean bathrooms (they do exist elsewhere)…great fresh food, or friendly staff – here are seven Buc-ee’s alternatives you can visit and still get a little bit of the magic while you wait for the real thing.
Starting with a big nationwide chain that prides itself on clean bathrooms:
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Where they can be found: Love’s is in 42 states, so if you don’t have access to a Buc-ee’s, you should be able to find a Love’s pretty easily.
How they’re like Buc-ee’s: Like I mentioned earlier – clean bathrooms. Love’s really pushes for clean bathrooms, and they do a great job of making sure it’s a warm and inviting atmosphere. Like Buc-ee’s, they also have their own brand of jerky (although I think Buc-ee’s is clearly superior, sorry Love’s).
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Where they can be found: Wawa is an East Coast chain with about 1,100 locations, mostly in Virginia, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland, and New York. They’re in growth mode, so if you’re not local, you’ll still probably see one sooner rather than later!
How they’re like Buc-ee’s: Wawa’s prepared food is genuinely fantastic – their hoagies are legendary, and I’m a big fan of their bowls and their chicken tenders, too. The food isn’t exactly the same as Buc-ee’s, of course, but it’s similarly hot, fresh, and high-quality.
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Where they can be found: There are almost 900 Kwik Trips, and they’re one of the few big gas station chains that’s even more concentrated than Buc-ee’s! You’ll find them exclusively in Minnesota, Iowa, Illinois, Wisconsin, Michigan’s upper peninsula, and South Dakota.
How they’re like Buc-ee’s: Tons of delicious pastries. They don’t have kolaches, but they have 10 kinds of fritters (including French Toast, yum), tons of Long Johns, and a fantastic breakfast selection (I recommend the breakfast burger).
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Where they can be found: QuikTrip, not to be confused with Kwik Trip, has over 1,100 locations, mostly in the South, Midwest, and Southwest. You’ll find tons of them in Arizona, Kansas, Texas, Oklahoma, and Georgia.
How they’re like Buc-ee’s: They’ve got bbq! Pulled pork and beef brisket. Also, their breakfast tacos are the closest thing I’ve found to the Buc-ee’s favorite. Also their cream-filled Bismarck donut is exactly the kind of sweet treat that should bookend every meal.
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Where they can be found: Rutter’s is in Pennsylvania, Maryland, and West Virginia’s panhandle. Just about as far from Buc-ee’s territory as you can go before you head into New York and Massachusetts…
How they’re like Buc-ee’s: Their food is different from Buc-ee’s, for sure, but it’s similarly elevated from what you usually see at a gas station or convenience store. I mean, we’re talking funnel cake fries and cannolis as dessert options. We’re talking seafood – real seafood – that you can have prepared hot, fresh, and fried.
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Where they can be found: Maverik is in 13 states, with the vast majority in Colorado and Utah. But you’ll find outposts all the way out in Washington State, Idaho, Wyoming, Nebraska, and even South Dakota and New Mexico.
How they’re like Buc-ee’s: Great hot food and a unique personality. Maverik really pushes an outdoorsy vibe – with merch and gear centered around hiking, climbing, and exploring. Oh, and their M.O.A.B burrito (that stands for Mother Of All Buritos) is just as awesome as you’d imagine.
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Where they can be found: Sheetz is mostly on the East Coast with some outposts in the Midwest – think Pennsylvania, Ohio, and West Virginia down to North Carolina.
How they’re like Buc-ee’s: Sheetz’ french fries are legitimately the best fries I’ve ever had from a convenience store. They’re that good. Also, I’ve never been inside a Sheetz with a dirty bathroom.
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So as you can see – none of these is going to be the same as the “full” Buc-ee’s experience.
But that’s ok, because each of them has something great to offer.
And if you’re missing Buc-ee’s, these will stand in just fine until you can get all the way out to Texas (or Alabama, or any of the handful of other states that currently have a Buc-ee’s).
So that’s my list – but here’s the big question:
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What would you add?
Are there any other gas stations who deliver a great experience?
Make sure to let us know in the comments!
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