Buc-ee’s ... or WHAT?

[PEN]

We are planning our first long trip (2-weeks) from central Arkansas to Lincoln, New Hampshire. Traveling to & from Ft Worth, we have discovered the convenience of Buc-ee’s for fuel, easy on/off I-30 and I-20, restrooms and great food. What are the comparable convenience stores through TN, OH, KY, WV, and northeast US? I plan to go on a northern route and return across TN.

Thanks!

[Hickory1945]

Having traveled quite a bit all over the U.S. I am afraid you are going to be disappointed after visiting Buccceee's. We have found nothing that compares.
YMMV
Hickory

[nvestysly]

As Hickory1945 said, there is nothing quite like a Buc-ee's. They have lots of room, even when they're crowded. With 30, 40, 50 and up to 100+ fuel pumps there is clearly nothing else like it.

We find Flying J to be generally easy to get in and out of of. Be careful to only select Flying J (not Pilot) if you are concerned about space and ease of ingress/egress. Still nothing like Buc-ee's but a reasonable choice. Pilot and Flying J are now owned by the same company and their billboards can be confusing along with how the fuel centers are listed on smart phone apps. Pilot's are almost always much smaller and harder to enter and exit compared to Flying J.

I have become much more adept at ingress/egress from what many might consider small fuel stations / convenience stores. Look for the outside lane and be willing to wait if needed. Go to the next store if this one looks too crowded or too tight for your liking.

If you're a member of Sam's Club, Costco or both that's another option. They usually have a reasonable amount of room to navigate but they are not necessarily easy off and on the freeway.

We know RVer's who look at the satellite view on their smart phone to see some detail on the space around the parking lot, etc. That may be helpful for you.

[azflycaster]

Buc-ee's is a great place to stop for fuel and a snack. A large variety of jerky to choose from and great pulled pork sandwiches. A friend of ours from Texas raves about the bathrooms which are very nice and always clean.

[majorairhead]

Never been to Boochee's. Is that how you pronounce it?

I see, maybe it's Buckey's.

Closest in PA that I can think of would be Sheetz.

[preedtx]

Originally Posted by majorairhead

Never been to Boochee's. Is that how you pronounce it?

I see, maybe it's Buckey's.

Closest in PA that I can think of would be Sheetz.

I think Buc-ees is a little easier to say politely than Sheetz.

[RivetED]

Buc-ee's is truly unique, the good way. I don't think that big-trucks can use them for fuel, food, or stopping?. That might explain a lot. But Sheetz what do I know

[jaybauman]

For those that don't know, Buc-ee's has the food/snack/coffee quality of a WaWa (but they have awesome jerky, brisket, and fudge too), the restrooms are cleaner than your doctor's office, and enough space at the pumps that the big rigs could easily use them--but no tractor trailers are allowed! And while you're at it, you can furnish your house with all sorts of "Texas" bric-a-brac.

[englishw]

Originally Posted by PEN

We are planning our first long trip (2-weeks) from central Arkansas to Lincoln, New Hampshire. Traveling to & from Ft Worth, we have discovered the convenience of Buc-ee’s for fuel, easy on/off I-30 and I-20, restrooms and great food. What are the comparable convenience stores through TN, OH, KY, WV, and northeast US? I plan to go on a northern route and return across TN.

Thanks!

There is no equivalent. They are simply far and away the best.

[pappy19]

Originally Posted by englishw

There is no equivalent. They are simply far and away the best.

Buc--ee's is in a class all of it's own, no comparison anywhere. They don't allow any semi's or big trucks, and that gives it a family atmosphere. I hear that they are planning more stations in the southeast.

[J-K Georgia]

New Buc-ee's on I-75 in Warner Robins, Ga.

[highfeather]

Knowing NM is not on your route I just have to give a shout out to Russell's Fuel Centers. There are 2 I know of in NM; one on i-40 east near the TX border and the other on i-25 N heading to CO. Both are exceptional. Clean, fun decor (old cars museum, 50's diner,) a real store with real food plus all the chotskis. Good fuel prices, extremely clean, huge parking lot and I always stop and take a booth for a homemade milkshake and a burger. Don't pass one by if you see it.

[tvketchum]

Near Live Oak, FL, is a Busy Bee, a close second to Buccees.

[banderabob]

Originally Posted by PEN

We are planning our first long trip (2-weeks) from central Arkansas to Lincoln, New Hampshire. Traveling to & from Ft Worth, we have discovered the convenience of Buc-ee’s for fuel, easy on/off I-30 and I-20, restrooms and great food. What are the comparable convenience stores through TN, OH, KY, WV, and northeast US? I plan to go on a northern route and return across TN.

Thanks!

There’s nothing comparable..

[glenrms]

Buckees is indeed a unique stop and there is a lot of parking. Five stars for sure. When I had a motorhome, I pumped $200+ of diesel and drove to a deserted area of the parking lot to catch a wink or two. About 10pm or so, a couple guys in a golf cart with yellow flashing lights knocked on my door and told me to get moving of they will tow. Wow! I just spent $200 on fuel and this is how they say thank you. Tired and pissed, I went elsewhere and never stopped at another Buckees again - even though, in my mind, they were a 5 star business.

[PEN]

Wow! Thanks for all the responses. On our trip I will look out for Wawa, Sheetz, Sam’s and Flying J. Keep the suggestions coming, please!

[nitzo]

Originally Posted by J-K Georgia

New Buc-ee's on I-75 in Warner Robins, Ga.

New one opening soon on I-95 in Daytona Beach.

[Howard L.]

Originally Posted by PEN

Wow! Thanks for all the responses. On our trip I will look out for Wawa, Sheetz, Sam’s and Flying J. Keep the suggestions coming, please!

Once your route of travel is planned, make a decision as to where you might want to stop for gas or, even just a rest. Get out your handy iPad, open Google map in Satellite mode and zoom in on locations. You will be able to see if if the entry and exit is reasonable , how much room to maneuver and how the fuel pumps are set up. With several places in mind, you can always pass one up if you find too crowded, etc.
We travel many places with the wife in her QX 80 pulling a boat and trailer in front and me with the 30 FC behind. Planning ahead like this works for us and believe me in the two tow vehicle mode it’s important.

[Poconotexan]

There is a Buc’ees in Leeds, Alabama on I-20 northeast of Birmingham if you want to take a slightly more southerly route on your way home to Fort Worth. We make the trip between Centerville, TX and Scranton, PA twice per year which may overlap your return route. As everyone else has said - use the satellite view on your GPS or MAPs app to check gas station logistics (during daytime) and plan ahead!