ARKANSAS — Arkansas is preparing to welcome its first Buc-ee’s location, with construction underway in Benton along Interstate 30 southwest of Little Rock. The project marks the Texas-based travel center chain’s entry into the Natural State and will provide a major new stop for travelers along one of Arkansas’ busiest highways.
Even before the Benton store opens, however, the question is already emerging: where could Buc-ee’s expand next in Arkansas?
While the company has announced no additional Arkansas locations, several parts of the state fit the characteristics Buc-ee’s typically seeks when selecting future sites. The chain has consistently targeted major interstate corridors, growing population centers and locations capable of attracting large numbers of long-distance travelers.
Why Another Arkansas Location Makes Sense
Arkansas sits at the crossroads of several important transportation routes, including Interstate 40, Interstate 30, Interstate 49, Interstate 55 and Interstate 57.
The Benton location will primarily serve Interstate 30 traffic between Little Rock, Texarkana and Dallas. However, large portions of northwest, northeast and eastern Arkansas remain well outside the convenient reach of the planned store.
As Buc-ee’s continues expanding across the Midwest and South, those regions could become candidates for future growth.
Most Likely Arkansas Locations
Fort Smith Area (Interstate 40 and Interstate 49)
The Fort Smith region may be the strongest candidate for a second Arkansas Buc-ee’s.
Located at the junction of Interstate 40 and Interstate 49 near the Oklahoma border, Fort Smith serves as a major transportation and logistics hub. The area sees substantial truck and passenger traffic moving between Texas, Arkansas, Missouri and the Midwest.
A Buc-ee’s there would provide coverage for western Arkansas while serving travelers on two major interstate corridors.
Northwest Arkansas (Interstate 49)
The rapidly growing northwest Arkansas region is another logical possibility.
Communities such as Rogers, Lowell or other areas along Interstate 49 have experienced some of the fastest population growth in the country. The corridor serves travelers moving between Arkansas, Missouri and Kansas while also attracting visitors to the Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers metropolitan area.
The region’s growth and visibility make it one of the state’s strongest long-term candidates.
West Memphis Area (Interstate 40 and Interstate 55)
West Memphis sits at one of the most important highway intersections in the Mid-South.
The convergence of Interstate 40 and Interstate 55 carries enormous volumes of freight and passenger traffic moving between the Southeast, Midwest and Southwest. A Buc-ee’s there would attract travelers entering Arkansas from Tennessee and Mississippi while serving one of the busiest transportation corridors in the region.
Jonesboro Area (Interstate 555 and U.S. 63)
Northeast Arkansas remains largely underserved by major travel centers.
Jonesboro continues to grow economically and could eventually attract interest if Buc-ee’s seeks to expand beyond the state’s primary interstate routes. While the area lacks a major interstate intersection, it remains an important regional center.
Russellville Area (Interstate 40)
Located roughly between Little Rock and Fort Smith, Russellville serves a heavily traveled section of Interstate 40.
A location there would provide convenient access to one of Arkansas’ busiest east-west corridors and could serve both interstate travelers and residents of the Arkansas River Valley.
Less Likely but Possible
The Little Rock metropolitan area already will be served by the Benton location, making additional stores nearby less likely in the foreseeable future.
Similarly, more rural sections of southern Arkansas generally do not experience the traffic volumes Buc-ee’s typically seeks when entering new markets.
What Happens Next?
For now, Buc-ee’s remains focused on completing the Benton project, which will become the company’s first Arkansas location.
However, Arkansas’ position along several major interstate highways and the rapid growth of regions such as northwest Arkansas make additional expansion a realistic possibility. If Buc-ee’s eventually adds a second Arkansas location, the Fort Smith area, northwest Arkansas corridor or West Memphis region appear to offer the strongest combination of traffic, accessibility and available land.
While no second Arkansas Buc-ee’s has been announced, the state’s transportation network and strategic location suggest that future growth beyond Benton is certainly possible as the company continues expanding across the country.
