Buc-ee's eyeing Mebane for 1st North Carolina location
Buc-ee's, a travel destination known for its abundance of gas pumps and clean restrooms, may be coming to North Carolina and just down the road from the Triangle.
A site plan for the popular travel center and massive roadside attraction has been submitted in Alamance County, which already hosts several travel plazas and large gas stations.
The proposed site is along Trollingwood Hawfields Road and next to Interstate 85/40 in Mebane. A Pilot Travel Center and Love's Travel Stop are stationed at the same exit (Exit 152). Plans are still under review.
The plan calls for 120 "fueling positions," up to 666 parking spaces and a 75,000-square foot building. You can view the full site plan here. Buc-ee's is somewhat of a pop culture phenomenon in Texas, where there are 34 locations.
"The site plan and traffic impact analysis submitted for the Buc-ee’s are still under review and subject to change," said Ashley Owenby, development director for Mebane.
The nearest Buc-ee's for most North Carolinians is in Florence, South Carolina, and opened in 2022. Orange County leaders considered letting a Buc-ee's come to Efland in 2019, but the company pulled out after locals voiced concern. That plan was submitted for a property with up to 60 double-sized gas pumps and a store comparable to a Walmart in size and in product offerings.
Just three days ago, Buc-ee's opened a new store in Sevierville, Tennessee, right on the North Carolina border near the Great Smoky Mountains.
The Charlotte Observer reported that the new location is the biggest Buc-ee's in the Southeast region.
Buc-ee's is also loved for its sliced brisket and canned goods, including its own brand of nuts, beef jerky, jellies, salsa, pickled vegetables and eggs.
