NORTH CAROLINA — North Carolina is preparing to welcome its first Buc-ee’s location, with construction scheduled to begin in Mebane along Interstate 40 and Interstate 85. The project represents a major step in the Texas-based travel center chain’s continued expansion across the eastern United States.
Even before the first North Carolina store opens, however, questions are emerging about where Buc-ee’s could expand next in the state. While the company has announced no additional North Carolina locations, several regions fit the characteristics Buc-ee’s typically seeks when selecting future sites.
The company has increasingly targeted major interstate corridors, fast-growing communities and areas with strong tourism and commercial traffic. North Carolina’s extensive highway network and rapidly growing population make it one of the states that could potentially support multiple Buc-ee’s locations.
Why Another North Carolina Location Makes Sense
North Carolina is crossed by several major interstate highways, including Interstate 95, Interstate 40, Interstate 85, Interstate 77, Interstate 26 and Interstate 74.
The state also attracts millions of visitors annually to destinations such as the Outer Banks, Blue Ridge Mountains, Asheville, Wilmington and the Charlotte region. Combined with substantial population growth and increasing freight traffic, North Carolina offers numerous potential expansion opportunities.
Although the Mebane location will serve much of the central Piedmont region, large portions of eastern, western and southern North Carolina remain well beyond its immediate reach.
Most Likely North Carolina Locations
Fayetteville Area (Interstate 95)
The Fayetteville area may be the strongest candidate for a future North Carolina Buc-ee’s.
Located along Interstate 95, one of the busiest travel corridors on the East Coast, Fayetteville serves travelers moving between Florida and the Northeast. The area also benefits from military, commercial and tourism-related traffic.
A Buc-ee’s near a major Interstate 95 interchange would align closely with the company’s preference for high-volume interstate locations.
Statesville Area (Interstate 40 and Interstate 77)
Statesville sits at the intersection of Interstate 40 and Interstate 77, one of the most important highway crossroads in North Carolina.
The location provides access to travelers moving between the Midwest, Southeast and Mid-Atlantic regions. The area’s transportation advantages and available development land make it a particularly strong candidate.
Asheville Area (Interstate 40 and Interstate 26)
Western North Carolina remains another possibility.
A location near Asheville could serve tourists visiting the Blue Ridge Mountains and Great Smoky Mountains region while also attracting interstate travelers heading between Tennessee, South Carolina and North Carolina.
The area’s strong tourism economy would provide an additional advantage.
Wilmington Area (Interstate 40 Corridor)
Wilmington continues to experience rapid growth and attracts millions of visitors annually.
While Buc-ee’s generally favors interstate locations, a site near the eastern end of Interstate 40 could capture beach traffic from throughout the Carolinas and neighboring states.
Rocky Mount Area (Interstate 95 and U.S. 64)
Rocky Mount occupies a strategic position along Interstate 95 and serves as a gateway to eastern North Carolina.
The area experiences significant interstate traffic and could provide Buc-ee’s with coverage in a region not directly served by the planned Mebane location.
Less Likely but Possible
The Charlotte metropolitan area offers substantial traffic volumes but faces challenges related to land availability and development costs. As a result, communities on the outskirts of the region may be more attractive than locations within the urban core.
Similarly, areas immediately surrounding Mebane are less likely to receive another location because of the coverage the first North Carolina store will already provide.
What Happens Next?
For now, Buc-ee’s remains focused on completing its first North Carolina location in Mebane and advancing projects elsewhere across the country.
However, North Carolina’s growing population, strong tourism industry and extensive interstate network make it a prime candidate for additional Buc-ee’s expansion. If the company eventually adds another North Carolina store, Fayetteville and Statesville appear to offer the strongest combination of traffic, accessibility and available land.
Asheville, Rocky Mount and Wilmington also remain realistic possibilities based on the company’s established site-selection strategy.
While no second North Carolina Buc-ee’s has been announced, the state possesses many of the qualities that have helped attract multiple Buc-ee’s locations in other parts of the country, making future expansion a distinct possibility.
