South Dakota Soon To Have Easier Access To Buc-ee’s Stores

Every once in a while, a business rises to such a level of fandom among its customers that it develops a cult-like following throughout the country.

Establishments like In-N-Out Burger, Cheesecake Factory, Whole Foods, and Trader Joe's all fall into this category.

The latest chain that has that revered status is Buc-ee's Convenience Stores.

The Lake Jackson, Texas-based company got its start in 1982 in the Houston suburb of Clute, Texas, with that first store taking its name from the nickname of founder Arch 'Beaver' Aplin, combined with the name of his Labrador Retriever, Buck.

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Over the past four decades, the Buc-ee's chain has expanded to 55 locations in 13 states and notched a few milestones along the way, including:

• World's Largest Convenience Store: Luling, Texas (75,593 square feet)
• World's Longest Car Wash: Katy, Texas (255 feet)
• World's Cleanest Restrooms: New Braunfels, Texas

Despite all of the hype, many of us in South Dakota have missed out on the Buc-ee's experience due to a lack of proximity. Currently, the two closest locations to the Mount Rushmore State are more than 500 miles away from Sioux Falls: Springfield, Missouri (528 miles), and Johnstown, Colorado (609 miles).

But all of that is about to change.

Buc-ee's has now announced its expansion plans for the next two years, and two of the locations are much more convenient for South Dakota travelers.

First, in October of 2027, the chain will open its first location in Kansas, on Village West Parkway in Kansas City, near the Kansas Speedway.  The 74,000 square foot store is 360 miles from Sioux Falls and will feature 120 gas pumps.

In 2028, the Buc-ee's footprint will move even closer to us with the opening of the first-ever Nebraska location, a 74,000-square-foot travel center located southeast of Interstate 80 and Highway 31 in Gretna. That store will feature 100 gas pumps.

Is it too soon to start planning a road trip, or two?

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