KENTUCKY — Kentucky already has a Buc-ee’s location in Richmond, but as the Texas-based travel center chain continues expanding across the country, the possibility of a second Kentucky store remains a topic of interest among travelers and local officials.
Buc-ee’s has steadily expanded throughout the Southeast, Midwest and East Coast in recent years, opening stores in states such as Kentucky, Tennessee, South Carolina, Missouri and Colorado while advancing new projects in North Carolina, Wisconsin, Kansas, Louisiana and other states. The company has shown a willingness to add additional locations in states where its first stores have performed well, making another Kentucky location a realistic possibility in the future.
Although Buc-ee’s has announced no plans for a second Kentucky store, several locations stand out as logical candidates based on the company’s site-selection strategy.
Why Another Kentucky Location Makes Sense
Kentucky sits at the crossroads of several major interstate highways and serves as a key travel corridor between the Midwest, South and East Coast. Buc-ee’s generally targets high-traffic interstate locations with large amounts of available land and strong tourism or trucking activity.
While Richmond serves much of central Kentucky and Interstate 75 traffic between Lexington and Knoxville, significant portions of the state remain outside the convenient reach of a Buc-ee’s location.
Most Likely Kentucky Locations
Elizabethtown Area (Interstate 65)
The Elizabethtown area may be the strongest candidate for another Kentucky Buc-ee’s.
Located along Interstate 65 between Louisville and Nashville, the corridor experiences some of the heaviest traffic in the state. A Buc-ee’s near Elizabethtown would serve travelers moving between the Midwest and the Southeast while also attracting visitors from the Louisville metropolitan area.
The region has large tracts of developable land near interstate interchanges, which is a key requirement for Buc-ee’s large-format travel centers.
Bowling Green Area (Interstate 65)
Bowling Green is another logical possibility.
The city sits farther south along Interstate 65 and serves as a major regional destination with tourism, manufacturing and university-related traffic. A location near Bowling Green would capture travelers heading to and from Tennessee while expanding Buc-ee’s presence in western Kentucky.
Paducah Area (Interstate 24 and Interstate 69)
Western Kentucky remains largely unserved by Buc-ee’s, making Paducah a strong long-term candidate.
The city sits at the junction of Interstate 24 and Interstate 69 and serves as a gateway between Kentucky, Illinois, Missouri and Tennessee. The area sees substantial commercial and long-distance travel, fitting Buc-ee’s typical expansion model.
Georgetown Area (Interstate 75)
A second Interstate 75 location is less likely but still possible.
Georgetown sits north of Lexington and experiences heavy traffic from travelers moving between Cincinnati and Tennessee. However, its proximity to the Richmond store may reduce the need for another Buc-ee’s along the same corridor.
Northern Kentucky (Interstate 71/75)
The rapidly growing northern Kentucky region near Cincinnati could also attract interest.
A location near Walton, Dry Ridge or another Interstate 71/75 interchange would serve both local residents and travelers entering Kentucky from Ohio. The area has experienced significant commercial growth and continues to attract new development.
Less Likely Candidates
While Louisville and Lexington have large populations, Buc-ee’s generally prefers locations on the outskirts of metropolitan areas where sufficient land is available for its expansive stores, parking areas and fuel facilities.
As a result, sites farther from dense urban development are more likely than locations within major city centers.
What Happens Next?
There is currently no indication that Buc-ee’s is actively pursuing a second Kentucky location. The company remains focused on completing projects already announced across several states and evaluating future growth opportunities.
However, Kentucky’s position along major interstate routes continues to make it an attractive market. If Buc-ee’s decides to expand further within the Commonwealth, the Interstate 65 corridor near Elizabethtown or Bowling Green appears to be the most logical next step, followed by the Paducah region along the Interstate 24 and Interstate 69 corridors.
Given Buc-ee’s continued expansion across the eastern United States, another Kentucky location remains a realistic possibility even though no official plans have been announced.
