VIRGINIA — Virginia already has one Buc-ee’s location operating near Harrisonburg in the Shenandoah Valley, and a second location is planned in Stafford County along Interstate 95 north of Richmond. However, as the Texas-based travel center chain continues expanding across the eastern United States, there are still several regions of Virginia that could potentially support another location in the future.
Buc-ee’s has increasingly focused on major interstate corridors, rapidly growing regions and areas with strong tourism and commercial traffic. The company’s continued expansion throughout the Southeast and Midwest suggests Virginia could eventually receive additional locations beyond those already open or planned.
While no third Virginia Buc-ee’s has been announced, several areas stand out as logical candidates.
Why Another Virginia Location Makes Sense
Virginia sits at the intersection of several major transportation routes, including Interstate 64, Interstate 81, Interstate 77, Interstate 85, Interstate 95 and Interstate 66.
The state also serves as a gateway between the Northeast and Southeast while attracting millions of tourists annually to destinations ranging from Virginia Beach and Williamsburg to the Blue Ridge Mountains and Shenandoah Valley.
Although the Harrisonburg and Stafford County locations will cover portions of Interstate 81 and Interstate 95, large sections of Virginia remain outside their immediate reach.
Most Likely Virginia Locations
Wytheville Area (Interstate 81 and Interstate 77)
The Wytheville area may be the strongest candidate for a future Virginia Buc-ee’s.
Located at the intersection of Interstate 81 and Interstate 77, Wytheville serves one of the busiest transportation crossroads in the Appalachian region. The area sees heavy truck traffic and long-distance travelers moving between the Midwest, Southeast and East Coast.
The interchange closely matches the type of strategic highway location Buc-ee’s has targeted elsewhere.
Williamsburg Area (Interstate 64)
Williamsburg is another logical possibility.
As one of Virginia’s top tourism destinations, the area attracts millions of visitors each year. A Buc-ee’s near Interstate 64 could serve travelers heading to Williamsburg, Virginia Beach, Norfolk and the Hampton Roads region while benefiting from strong year-round traffic.
Roanoke Area (Interstate 81 and Interstate 581)
Roanoke sits along one of Virginia’s busiest stretches of Interstate 81 and serves as the commercial center of western Virginia.
A location on the outskirts of the metropolitan area could attract both interstate travelers and local residents while expanding Buc-ee’s presence farther into Southwest Virginia.
Suffolk Area (Interstate 64, U.S. 58 and U.S. 13)
The Suffolk area provides access to the growing Hampton Roads region while also serving travelers heading toward North Carolina and the Outer Banks.
The area’s available land and proximity to major transportation routes could make it attractive for future development.
Danville Area (U.S. 58 and U.S. 29)
Although not located directly on an interstate, Danville has experienced significant economic growth in recent years and sits along major travel routes connecting Virginia and North Carolina.
If Buc-ee’s ever chooses to expand into southern Virginia, Danville could emerge as a long-term possibility.
Less Likely but Possible
Northern Virginia experiences tremendous traffic volumes, but high land costs and limited availability of large development sites make the region less compatible with Buc-ee’s typical development model.
Likewise, areas immediately adjacent to Harrisonburg or Stafford County may be less likely due to the existing and planned coverage provided by those locations.
What Happens Next?
At present, Buc-ee’s remains focused on opening its Stafford County location and continuing projects elsewhere across the country.
However, Virginia’s extensive highway network, growing population and tourism industry make it a state that could potentially support more than two Buc-ee’s locations. If the company eventually pursues a third Virginia store, Wytheville appears to offer the strongest combination of interstate access, traffic volume and available land.
Williamsburg, Roanoke and Suffolk also remain realistic possibilities based on Buc-ee’s expansion strategy and preference for high-visibility transportation corridors.
While no third Virginia Buc-ee’s has been announced, the Commonwealth remains one of the states where additional expansion would be both practical and plausible as the company continues growing across the East Coast.
