MARYLAND — As Buc-ee’s continues one of the most aggressive expansion efforts in its history, speculation is growing about whether the Texas-based travel center chain could eventually enter Maryland.
The company has announced or advanced projects in multiple new states in recent months, including North Carolina, Wisconsin, Nebraska, Louisiana, Kansas, Arkansas and Arizona. Construction is scheduled to begin June 10 on the chain’s first North Carolina location in Mebane, while additional projects are moving through permitting and construction stages across the country.
Perhaps most significant for Maryland residents is a proposed Buc-ee’s in Stafford County, Virginia. Local officials recently approved plans for a massive 74,000-square-foot travel center near Interstate 95 Exit 140. The project would include 120 fuel pumps and hundreds of parking spaces, placing a Buc-ee’s roughly 75 miles closer to Maryland than the company’s existing Virginia location in Mount Crawford.
While Buc-ee’s has not announced any plans for Maryland, the company’s recent expansion pattern offers clues about where a future location could logically be built.
Why Maryland Makes Sense
Buc-ee’s typically targets major interstate corridors with heavy long-distance traffic, large amounts of available land and strong tourism or trucking activity. Many of its newer locations are being built at major interstate junctions, including I-95, I-40, I-85 and I-94.
Maryland sits along one of the busiest travel corridors in the United States. Interstate 95 carries millions of travelers annually between the Northeast and Southeast, making the state an attractive market if Buc-ee’s decides to continue expanding along the East Coast.
Most Likely Maryland Locations
Cecil County (I-95 near Elkton)
If Buc-ee’s enters Maryland, Cecil County may be the strongest candidate.
The area sits directly on I-95 near the Delaware state line and already serves as a major stopping point for travelers moving between Washington, Baltimore, Philadelphia and New York. Large tracts of undeveloped land remain available near interstate interchanges, which is critical because modern Buc-ee’s locations often require dozens of acres.
Harford County (I-95 near Aberdeen or Havre de Grace)
Harford County offers another logical option because it sits along the heavily traveled Baltimore-Philadelphia corridor.
A location near Aberdeen could capture both interstate travelers and regional traffic while remaining far enough from Baltimore’s urban core to accommodate the large footprint Buc-ee’s typically requires.
Frederick County (I-70/I-270 Corridor)
Frederick has become one of Maryland’s fastest-growing transportation hubs.
A Buc-ee’s near the intersection of Interstate 70 and Interstate 270 could draw traffic from Washington, Baltimore, Western Maryland and travelers heading toward Pennsylvania and Ohio. The county also offers more available land than many areas closer to Baltimore and Washington.
Washington County (I-70/I-81 Interchange)
The junction of Interstate 70 and Interstate 81 near Hagerstown is one of the busiest trucking corridors in the Mid-Atlantic.
The area serves travelers moving north and south along the East Coast as well as those traveling east and west across the country. Buc-ee’s has already demonstrated interest in the I-81 corridor through its Mount Crawford, Virginia location, making another site farther north a plausible long-term option.
Worcester County (U.S. 50 near Ocean City)
A less conventional but still realistic possibility would be near Ocean City.
The resort town attracts millions of visitors annually, and a large travel center along U.S. Route 50 could capture beach traffic from Washington, Baltimore, Northern Virginia and Pennsylvania. However, Buc-ee’s has historically favored interstate locations over seasonal tourist routes, making this a less likely option than an I-95 site.
What Happens Next?
For now, Maryland remains absent from Buc-ee’s expansion map. The company’s immediate focus is on opening locations in new states and completing major projects already underway, including North Carolina, Wisconsin, Louisiana, Kansas and additional East Coast locations.
Still, the approval of a second Virginia location along Interstate 95 demonstrates that Buc-ee’s continues to view the Mid-Atlantic as a growth market. If the company eventually decides to move north from Virginia, Maryland would appear to be one of the most logical next steps, particularly along the I-95 corridor in Cecil or Harford counties.
