Thursday, October 3, 2024

Buc-ee’s is Coming to Arkansas: Benton Welcomes the Beaver!

For my wife and me, Buc-ee's is more than a pit stop—it’s an adventure, a destination, and, honestly, a part of our "Buc-ee’s List" (our fun twist on a bucket list, where we're determined to visit every Buc-ee's in the country). And now, we’re thrilled to add a new stop to that list: Arkansas!

That’s right—Buc-ee’s is officially coming to Saline County, right in Benton, Arkansas, nestled between exits 114 and 116 along I-30. After over a year of rumors and anticipation, the news was made official in front of thousands of fans at the 2024 Salt Bowl, with none other than Buc-ee himself making a surprise appearance! Can you imagine the excitement in the air? It’s not every day that a beloved beaver steals the show under the Friday night lights.

But the biggest star of the night wasn’t just Buc-ee—it was Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders, who shared the big news with a video announcement. “Buc-ee’s is coming to Arkansas and Saline County, right in the heart of our state will be its home,” she said. No need for Arkansans to hit the road to neighboring states for a brisket sandwich, Beaver Nuggets, or, let’s be honest, the cleanest restrooms around. It’s all happening right here!

Mayor Tom Farmer was equally ecstatic, announcing the grand plans at the game. "This is a fantastic move for our county, for our city, and for the state of Arkansas," he said. And I’m sure he’ll be just as excited as I am to share a brisket sandwich with the Governor at the grand opening!

Though the official completion date isn’t set just yet, the final permit is expected to be in hand soon, which means construction will be underway before we know it. The Benton location will be the very first Buc-ee’s in Arkansas, making it a major milestone not only for Saline County but for the entire state.

From securing land near the Haskell exit on I-30 to the city council’s approval of the soon-to-be-famous Buc-ee’s Boulevard, this project has been a long time coming. And now, after months of planning, the contracts have been signed, the location confirmed, and Arkansas is ready for the grand arrival of Buc-ee’s.

For my wife and me, adding the Benton Buc-ee’s to our growing list is an absolute joy, and I’m sure many fellow Arkansans are as excited as we are to welcome this Texas-sized traveler’s paradise to the Natural State. Get ready, Arkansas—Buc-ee’s is about to make road trips a lot more exciting!

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