The first I heard of Buc-Ee’s was in a New York Times article which introduced me to this Texas institution. It noted that it was soon planning to expand beyond its home state. Soon enough, two were added to I-95 in Florida (one in Daytona Beach, another near Jacksonville). You’ll only find them on an Interstate Highway because they are massive and require lots of traffic to keep them going. Their best feature is their huge, always clean, absolutely palatial public rest rooms. No more dirty gas station ugly facilities, these are worth waiting for, though waiting is usually not required. Did I mention they are huge?

The reason for this post is that I recently heard they are building a new one just north of where we live. Not only that, but it will be the largest Buc-Ee’s ever built. It will be 80,000 square feet with 120 gas pumps and 750 parking spots. The state of Florida is building a special highway interchange just for them on I-75 near Highway 326 outside of Ocala, Florida.

Buc-Ee’s has a huge selection of candy to keep you alert at the wheel.

It has fresh food like barbecue and preserved food like jerky in countless flavors.

They have coffee, all manner of beverages and of course, lots of tchotchkes and souvenirs.

We will make a pilgrimage once the newest, largest, most amazing Buc-Ee’s opens and you are well advised to stop at one the next time you see one on your travels.