Buc-ee’s Eyes Indiana for Massive New Travel Center

Two Buc-ee's Locations Are Coming to Indiana

A couple of weeks ago, we made our annual trip to the beach. We caravaned with my bonus daughter and her husband. Now, my husband and I are not road trippers in the sense that we like to stop and smell the flowers along the way. We want to get to our destination as quickly and efficiently as possible.

But his daughter had other plans. She wanted to stop at Buc-ee's.

Brandon Bell, Getty Images

My Unpopular Buc-ee's Opinion

I'm pretty old school. Give me a Circle K with cheap snacks and clean restrooms, and I'm happy. I don't need to buy my wardrobe, a 12-piece place setting, a whole hog, and an 88-ounce Slurpee at a gas station. I don't want to fight traffic in a parking lot. I don't want to lose my car in 400 rows of parked vehicles. I don't want to encounter 8,000 people at 7 o'clock in the morning. I just don't.

And there's absolutely nothing wrong with Buc-ee's. Folks seem to love them. They carry cute items and yummy food. Their bathrooms are impeccable. It's reported that they offer above-average pay and benefits to their employees.

But is it worth tacking an hour and a half onto my drive? No. Never.

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Buc-ee's Continues Rapid Expansion

In fact, folks love Buc-ee's so much that the chain is rapidly expanding. The first Buc-ee's opened in 1982 in Lake Jackson, Texas. Since then, the company has grown to more than 60 locations and new ones are in the works as we speak.

Here in the tri-state, we have a few locations within driving distance if you want to go on a beaver road trip. There are currently two locations in Kentucky, with a third in the works. There are two locations in Tennessee, with two more planned.

But here in the Hoosier State, we are beaverless. That might be about to change.

The Buc-ee's location scout site roadtripbeaver.com speculates that TWO Buc-ee's locations are being explored in Indiana. But only one is officially in the works.

Chip Somodevilla, Getty Images

First Indiana Buc-ee's Planned for Greenwood

According to WTHR, a proposal to develop land near I-65 in Greenwood outlines plans for the first Buc-ee's travel center in Indiana.

Roadtrip Beaver sited that Buc-ee's is nearing a deal to purchase and rezone an 80-acre site in Greenwood. The site stated that the company has signed a letter of intent for the property and is working to acquire portions of neighboring parcels for rights-of-way, utilities, and other infrastructure needs.

The proposal submitted to the Greenwood Advisory Plan Commission which was submitted to the Greenwood Plan Commission at their June 22 meeting, includes plans to build a 74,000-square-foot travel center on more than 37 acres. The facility would include 120 fueling stations and charging facilities for electric vehicles. The plan also proposes walking trails with a connection to the Greenwood trail system.

Read More: Dolly Parton’s Mega Travel Stop Opens in Tennessee This June – Here’s What to Expect

What Do Locals Have to Say?

There were mixed reactions among locals. Some folks thought the additional revenue brought in by a mega travel stop looked appealing for the local economy but others were concerned about the uptick in traffic.

According to wishtv.com, "The proposal is scheduled to return before the Greenwood Advisory Plan Commission at 7 p.m. July 13 before heading to the full city council for a vote."

Buc-ees

Buc-ees

Is a Second Buc-ee's Location Proposed for Whitestown?

Beaver Locations speculates that Buc-ee's is also eyeballing a second location not far from the first. According to the site, the company is evaluating a site in Whitestown, Boone County, as a potential second Indiana store, with an expected opening in 2028 or later.

Now, I'll be completely honest - I can't list this as a credible source as it's not in any way official. I did find a mention on Fox 59, which cited the Indiana Business Journal that backs up these claims. The first Indiana Buc-ees has been in the works for three years now. So, only time will tell if a second location will see the light of day anytime soon.

When Will Indiana Buc-ee's Open?

If all goes well and the plans are approved, Buc-ees Greenwood location is expected to take about two years to construct and could open in 2028.

So whether you're a die-hard Buc-ee's fan or someone like me who just wants a quick bathroom break and a bag of chips, Indiana's long stretch without a Buc-ee's is about to come to an end.