Buc-ee’s Arkansas: Benton Opens August 17, 2026 (Full Guide)

Quick answer: The Buc-ee’s in Arkansas is in Benton and opens August 17, 2026. This guide covers the address, exit, and opening details.

Alright, this is time-sensitive so let me get straight to it. Arkansas’s first Buc-ee’s opens Monday, August 17, 2026 at 6 AM in Benton, literally three weeks from when I’m publishing this. The location is off Exit 114 on Interstate 30, near Haskell in Saline County, about 20 miles southwest of downtown Little Rock. If you live anywhere in Central Arkansas, this is going to be the biggest travel-center opening the state has ever seen. Buc-ee’s estimates 5 million people will visit this location annually, and their April 16, 2025 groundbreaking was called the biggest in Buc-ee’s history, bigger than any Texas store’s groundbreaking. That’s not marketing hype from a small state; that’s the actual claim from Road Trip Beaver’s coverage of the event.

Here’s the fuller picture. Arkansas is getting two Buc-ee’s total: Benton on August 17, 2026, and West Memphis in June 2028 (delayed from an original 2026 target). Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders publicly announced the Benton project at the 2024 Salt Bowl (the annual Benton Panthers vs Bryant Hornets high school football rivalry game), which is one of the more Arkansas-specific announcement venues in Buc-ee’s expansion history. And CEO Arch “Beaver” Aplin III has publicly hinted that the company is actively looking for a third Arkansas location.

This guide walks through everything: the specific opening date, what to expect at Benton, the full West Memphis delay story, and honest routing advice for Little Rock, Hot Springs, Fayetteville, and every other major Arkansas metro.

[YOUR EXPERIENCE: YOUR ARKANSAS ANTICIPATION] Add 2 to 3 sentences about how you feel about Arkansas’s first Buc-ee’s opening. Have you visited one in another state? Live in Central Arkansas? Example: “I first heard about the Benton Buc-ee’s at ___, and my honest plan for opening day is ___.”

Quick reference:

• Opening date: Monday, August 17, 2026 at 6 AM
• Address: Exit 114 on Interstate 30, near Haskell / Benton, Arkansas (Saline County)
• Size: 74,000 sq ft (standard flagship)
• Fuel pumps: 120 fueling positions
• Jobs: 200+ full-time (training already underway as of mid-2026)
• Distance from Little Rock: ~20 miles east (~25 minutes)
• Distance from Hot Springs: ~40 miles northwest (~40 minutes)
• Expected annual visitors: 5 million
• Groundbreaking: April 16, 2025, called the biggest in Buc-ee’s history
• Announced by: Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders at the 2024 Salt Bowl
• Second Arkansas Buc-ee’s: West Memphis, delayed to June 2028
• Potential third Arkansas Buc-ee’s: CEO Aplin has publicly said Buc-ee’s is looking

Is There a Buc-ee’s in Arkansas?

Not yet, but that changes on August 17, 2026. As of publication (late July 2026), Arkansas has no open Buc-ee’s locations. Three weeks from now, that will change permanently when Benton opens as the state’s first-ever Buc-ee’s.

Once Benton opens on August 17, Arkansas becomes the 14th U.S. state with an open Buc-ee’s, joining Texas, Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, Florida, Kentucky, South Carolina, Colorado, Missouri, Virginia, Mississippi, Ohio, and Arizona (which joined June 22, 2026 with the Goodyear opening).

If you’re reading this after August 17, 2026: congratulations, you can now visit an Arkansas Buc-ee’s without leaving the state. If you’re reading this before August 17, you can either wait or drive somewhere. Details below.

When Does Buc-ee’s Arkansas Open?

Monday, August 17, 2026. That’s the confirmed date from Buc-ee’s own announcement, reported by KATV, KARK, and THV11 in mid-May 2026. The store opens at 6 AM Central Time (standard Buc-ee’s opening pattern), followed by a ribbon-cutting ceremony typically held around noon.

Here’s the source confirmation trail:

• KATV (May 13, 2026): “The opening date for the state’s first Buc-ee’s location has officially been set for Monday, August 17, 2026, in the city of Benton”
• KARK (May 14, 2026): “The travel center is set to open Monday, Aug. 17., marking the opening of Arkansas’s first Buc-ee’s location. The popular travel center will be located off Exit 114 on Interstate 30”
• THV11 (May 13, 2026 + follow-up): “The store will have its grand opening on August 17, 2026” and confirmed “future employees have started training in preparation for day one”

Unlike some Buc-ee’s projects that keep slipping (Ocala Florida moved from 2025 to 2028 to 2029), Benton is genuinely on track. Construction is complete or nearly complete. Employees are already in training. Job listings are actively being filled through Buc-ees.com/careers.

How opening day typically works at a Buc-ee’s:

• 6 AM: Doors open, pumps activate. Lines usually form starting around 4-5 AM
• Mid-morning: Peak crowds, checkout lines can stretch 30-45 minutes
• ~11:45 AM: Ribbon-cutting ceremony with local officials, dignitaries, and Buc-ee’s leadership
• Noon-3 PM: Second wave of crowds arrives after lunch hour
• Evening: Steady traffic through midnight, then normalizes to 24/7 pattern

If you’re planning to attend opening day, arrive before 6 AM to skip the worst crowds. Or wait until Tuesday-Wednesday when the opening frenzy calms down.

Where Is Buc-ee’s Benton?

Location: Off Exit 114 on Interstate 30, at Arkansas Highway 229, near Haskell / Benton, Arkansas County: Saline County Highway: I-30 Distance from downtown Little Rock: ~20 miles east (~25 minutes) Distance from Hot Springs: ~40 miles northwest (~40 minutes) Position: Almost exactly midway between Little Rock and Hot Springs on I-30

The site sits at the southern end of Arkansas Highway 229, right at the Haskell exit off I-30. It’s a strategically excellent location: I-30 is one of the primary interstates connecting Dallas to Little Rock to Memphis, and the Little Rock-to-Hot Springs corridor is one of Arkansas’s most-traveled tourism routes.

Why Benton specifically?

Two reasons. First, the I-30 corridor traffic pattern. This section of I-30 handles thousands of vehicles per day between Little Rock and points southwest (Texarkana, Dallas). It’s a natural through-traffic pattern.

Second, Benton had the political and infrastructure willingness to make it happen. Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders personally announced the project at the 2024 Salt Bowl. Local officials rolled out the welcome mat. City and state agencies coordinated on infrastructure. That kind of coordinated welcome doesn’t happen everywhere: some Buc-ee’s projects (Orange County NC, initial LA sites) got blocked by community opposition. Benton actively wanted this.

Nearby landmarks for orientation:

• Bryant, AR (Benton’s rival city): ~5 miles east
• Downtown Benton: ~5 miles north
• Malvern, AR: ~15 miles southwest
• Hot Springs National Park: ~40 miles northwest
• Little Rock Clinton Presidential Library: ~25 miles east
• Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport: ~30 miles east

The Salt Bowl Announcement Story

Here’s a piece of Arkansas Buc-ee’s history no other guide develops properly: Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders announced the Benton Buc-ee’s at the 2024 Salt Bowl.

What’s the Salt Bowl? It’s one of Arkansas’s biggest high school football rivalries, the Benton Panthers vs the Bryant Hornets. The two cities are neighbors (Bryant sits about 5 miles east of Benton), and the Salt Bowl is the annual football game where they face off. It’s a genuine community event that draws thousands of Arkansans and gets local TV coverage.

Why announce a Buc-ee’s at the Salt Bowl?

Political theater, in the best sense. By announcing the store at the Salt Bowl:

1. Local relevance. Every Arkansan in the Benton-Bryant area was watching. Perfect audience for the announcement.
2. State pride. Frames the Buc-ee’s as an Arkansas win, not just corporate expansion news.
3. Bryant vs Benton subtext. Buc-ee’s chose Benton, not Bryant. The rivalry framing added drama to the announcement.
4. Governor’s political capital. Sanders got to be the one delivering the good news at a beloved local event.

Two years later, the Benton residents got the store. Bryant residents get to drive 5 miles east to visit it. The Salt Bowl rivalry continues, but Benton clearly won this round.

For any other state considering how to announce a Buc-ee’s arrival, Arkansas’s Salt Bowl approach is genuinely a template worth studying. Political + community + rivalry theater = memorable announcement.

The “Biggest Groundbreaking in Buc-ee’s History”

Here’s another Arkansas-specific detail that other guides gloss over: the April 16, 2025 Benton groundbreaking was called the biggest in Buc-ee’s history, bigger than any Texas store’s groundbreaking. That’s per Road Trip Beaver’s coverage of the event.

The scale of the event:

• Massive crowd attendance
• CEO Arch “Beaver” Aplin III personally attended
• Arkansas state officials including Governor Sanders’ team
• Local media coverage across all Little Rock TV stations
• Community members traveling from across the state

Why was Arkansas’s groundbreaking bigger than Texas openings?

Speculation, not confirmed by Buc-ee’s directly:

1. First-time-in-state factor. Every first-in-state Buc-ee’s is a big deal (see Ohio’s $1M+ opening day in April 2026). Arkansas is unique in that residents had been waiting a long time: Buc-ee’s has been expanding for years, and Arkansas got skipped multiple times before Benton was announced.
2. Political capital. Governor Sanders personally invested political attention in the project. State-level political coordination amplified the event.
3. Central Arkansas density. Little Rock is the largest metro in the state. Benton is 20 miles from Little Rock. The population base that could easily attend the groundbreaking was large.
4. Community engagement. Salt Bowl announcement built community anticipation. By April 2025 groundbreaking, community members had been counting down for months.

Whatever the reasons, the April 16, 2025 groundbreaking set a company record. Opening day on August 17, 2026 is expected to be similarly historic: Ohio’s Huber Heights opening in April 2026 recorded over $1 million in single-day sales, and Arkansas is expected to match or exceed that pace.

[YOUR EXPERIENCE: GROUNDBREAKING OR OPENING PLANS] If you attended the April 2025 groundbreaking or plan to be there for August 17 opening, one honest sentence. Real attendance stories are the ultimate authenticity signal.

Buc-ee’s Benton: Complete Specs

Everything we know about the store opening in three weeks:

Building & Site:

• Building size: 74,000 sq ft (standard flagship)
• Highway: Interstate 30
• Exit: 114
• County: Saline County
• Position: Southern end of Arkansas Highway 229

Fuel & EV:

• Fuel pumps: 120 fueling positions
• Electric charging stations: Included (specific count TBA at opening)
• DEF: Expected (standard at all Buc-ee’s)

Store Features:

• Signature oversized retail floor
• Wall of Jerky
• Fresh brisket sandwich station
• Kolaches
• Homemade fudge
• Beaver Nuggets
• Fresh pastries
• Full Buc-ee’s merchandise line
• Award-winning restrooms
• Open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year

Jobs & Wages:

• 200+ full-time jobs
• Starting pay above minimum wage
• Full benefits including health insurance
• 6% matching 401K
• 3 weeks paid vacation
• Training already underway as of one month before opening

Traffic Projection:

• 5 million visitors annually (per Buc-ee’s estimate)

Is There a Buc-ee’s Near Little Rock?

Not inside Little Rock itself, but Benton is 20 miles east, and after August 17, 2026, it will effectively serve as Little Rock’s Buc-ee’s. For any Little Rock, North Little Rock, or Central Arkansas resident, this is essentially your local Buc-ee’s, a 25-minute drive southwest on I-30.

From downtown Little Rock:

• Take I-30 West toward Texarkana/Dallas
• Continue for approximately 20 miles
• Exit at Exit 114 (Haskell / AR-229)
• Buc-ee’s is at the southern end of AR-229
• Total drive time: 25-30 minutes without traffic

From North Little Rock:

• Take I-30 West (via I-40 or I-440)
• Continue to Exit 114
• Total drive time: ~30 minutes

Realistic frequency for Little Rock residents:

Benton is close enough that Little Rock residents can treat the Benton Buc-ee’s as a regular grocery run or weekly errand. This is a real luxury: many cities have to drive hours to reach a Buc-ee’s. Little Rock, at 20 miles / 25 minutes, has some of the best access in the entire chain.

Why isn’t there a Buc-ee’s in Little Rock proper?

Downtown Little Rock doesn’t fit Buc-ee’s site-selection model (interstate interchanges with 15-30 acres of land). Buc-ee’s builds for interstate through-traffic, not urban destination shoppers. Benton (I-30 corridor with 15+ acres of land) is a much better fit than any Little Rock urban site.

Is There a Buc-ee’s Near Hot Springs?

Yes, after August 17. Benton is 40 miles northeast of Hot Springs on I-30, about a 40-minute drive. Hot Springs residents get one of the best positions on Arkansas’s Buc-ee’s map.

From downtown Hot Springs:

• Take US-70 East toward Little Rock OR take AR-7 South to I-30
• Merge onto I-30 East
• Continue to Exit 114 (Haskell)
• Total drive time: 40-50 minutes

The Hot Springs tourism pairing:

Hot Springs is Arkansas’s biggest tourism destination: Hot Springs National Park, downtown Bathhouse Row, Oaklawn horse racing, mountain views. It draws millions of visitors annually. Adding a Buc-ee’s stop 40 miles east of downtown Hot Springs means:

• Hot Springs visitors driving from Little Rock can stop at Benton on the way in
• Same visitors can stock up at Benton on the way home for the road trip back
• Hot Springs-based tourists get an easy Buc-ee’s day trip

If you’re planning a Hot Springs vacation in 2026 or later, budget an extra 45 minutes for a Benton Buc-ee’s stop on your way in or out.

Is There a Buc-ee’s Near Fayetteville / Northwest Arkansas?

No, and Benton won’t help much. Fayetteville, Springdale, Rogers, and Bentonville (yes, different from Benton) are all approximately 200 miles northwest of Benton, a 3-hour drive one way. Not casual.

Northwest Arkansas’s honest options:

• Drive to Benton (2026): 200 miles / ~3 hours south on I-49 to I-40 to I-30
• Drive to Missouri’s Springfield store: ~200 miles east on I-44
• Drive to Oklahoma’s Terrell TX (through Fort Smith): ~250 miles southwest

Northwest Arkansas is home to Walmart’s corporate headquarters (Bentonville), Tyson Foods (Springdale), and University of Arkansas (Fayetteville). It’s one of the fastest-growing regions in the country. But it’s genuinely underserved by the Buc-ee’s map. Even after Benton opens, Fayetteville residents will need a 3-hour drive to reach the state’s first Buc-ee’s.

Long-term speculation:

CEO Arch Aplin III has publicly hinted that Buc-ee’s is actively looking for a third Arkansas location (per Road Trip Beaver’s Benton coverage). A Northwest Arkansas Buc-ee’s would make enormous geographic sense: the population is there, the corporate wealth is there, the growth is there. But nothing has been publicly announced.

If Fayetteville / Northwest Arkansas ever gets a Buc-ee’s, expect it along I-49 near Fayetteville or Rogers. But don’t hold your breath: this is honest speculation, not reporting.

Buc-ee’s West Memphis: Coming June 2028

Arkansas is getting a second Buc-ee’s: West Memphis, on I-40 at the Arkansas-Tennessee border. But the timeline has been dramatically pushed back.

West Memphis Buc-ee’s timeline:

• December 2024 (announced): Mayor Marco McClendon publicly announced groundbreaking would happen in December 2024, with a 2026 opening target
• Reality: Groundbreaking was delayed. Original 2026 target became unrealistic
• Current target: June 2028, a two-year slip from the original goal
• Reason for delay: Infrastructure changes and road work required around the site

Location details:

• Highway: Interstate 40 (Arkansas side of the Arkansas-Tennessee border)
• City: West Memphis, Crittenden County, Arkansas
• Right across the Mississippi River from Memphis, Tennessee
• Serves I-40 corridor traffic between Little Rock, Memphis, and Nashville

The financial deal:

West Memphis committed a $5 million total incentive package to Buc-ee’s, with the city providing land valued at $3.5 million. This is a significant local investment reflecting how much West Memphis officials wanted the store.

Why the June 2028 target?

The infrastructure work required around the site (road realignment, interchange improvements, water/sewer capacity upgrades) takes time. Similar patterns have delayed Ocala Florida (2029 target), New Kent Virginia (2031 target), and Anderson South Carolina (stalled indefinitely). West Memphis’s 2-year delay is actually milder than those.

Realistic prediction: June 2028 is achievable if infrastructure work stays on schedule. If it slips, expect a Q4 2028 or Q1 2029 opening.

The West Memphis Delay Saga

Here’s the deeper story on the West Memphis delay:

Original expectations (2024):

• Mayor Marco McClendon announces December 2024 groundbreaking
• Public expects 2026 opening (roughly 18-24 months construction)
• West Memphis puts up $5M incentive package, $3.5M in land
• Community anticipation builds

What went wrong:

• Infrastructure requirements more complex than initially planned
• Road realignment work took longer to design and coordinate
• Interchange improvements needed federal and state coordination
• Groundbreaking got pushed multiple times

Current status (mid-2026):

• Site work still incomplete
• June 2028 opening target confirmed but “not finalized”
• West Memphis remaining committed to the project

Why does this matter?

Because Arkansas is essentially getting two Buc-ee’s on very different timelines. Benton (August 17, 2026) is on-time and about to open. West Memphis (June 2028) is 22 months behind and could slip further. If you’re waiting on West Memphis, plan for late 2028 or 2029 rather than counting on June 2028.

Nearest Buc-ee’s to Major Arkansas Cities

Here’s the honest distance table for every major Arkansas metro, after August 17, 2026 when Benton opens:

City	Nearest Buc-ee’s	Distance	Drive Time
Benton	Benton (in-city)	N/A	N/A
Bryant	Benton	~5 mi east	~10 min
Little Rock	Benton	~20 mi east	~25 min
North Little Rock	Benton	~25 mi east	~30 min
Conway	Benton	~40 mi northeast	~45 min
Malvern	Benton	~15 mi west	~20 min
Hot Springs	Benton	~40 mi east	~40 min
Pine Bluff	Benton	~55 mi southwest	~1 hour
Fort Smith	Benton	~140 mi east	~2h 15min
Fayetteville	Benton	~200 mi south	~3 hours
Springdale	Benton	~200 mi south	~3 hours
Rogers	Benton	~210 mi south	~3 hours
Bentonville	Benton	~215 mi south	~3h 15min
Jonesboro	Benton	~140 mi west	~2h 15min
West Memphis	Benton (until June 2028)	~130 mi west	~2h 15min
Texarkana	Benton	~140 mi east	~2h 15min
Hot Springs Village	Benton	~40 mi east	~40 min

Takeaways:

• Central Arkansas (Benton, Bryant, Little Rock, North Little Rock, Conway, Hot Springs) gets fantastic access: all within an hour
• South Arkansas (Pine Bluff, Texarkana) uses Benton: real drive but doable
• Northwest Arkansas (Fayetteville, Springdale, Rogers, Bentonville) stays underserved: 3-hour drives
• East Arkansas (Jonesboro, West Memphis) will get relief when West Memphis opens in 2028, but until then needs Benton
• Fort Smith / western Arkansas faces a 2h 15min drive: no near-term relief

What About a Third Arkansas Buc-ee’s?

CEO Arch “Beaver” Aplin III has publicly indicated that Buc-ee’s is actively looking for a third Arkansas location (per Road Trip Beaver’s Benton coverage).

Reasonable speculation on where a third store might go:

Fayetteville / Springdale / Rogers / Bentonville (Northwest Arkansas): Strong candidate. Fast-growing region, Walmart HQ, Tyson HQ, University of Arkansas. I-49 corridor has good site options. Currently underserved with 3-hour drives to Benton.

Fort Smith: Possible. I-40 corridor near the Oklahoma border. Would fill the western Arkansas gap.

Jonesboro: Possible. Northeast Arkansas, growing city. Could serve western Tennessee crossover traffic.

Texarkana: Border city. Could serve Arkansas-Texas-Louisiana traffic corridor. But small metro size makes it less likely near-term.

Second Central Arkansas store: If Benton performs at 5 million annual visitors as projected, Buc-ee’s might add a second Central Arkansas store (Conway area? North Little Rock?) to reduce Benton crowding.

If I had to bet on the third Arkansas Buc-ee’s, I’d say Northwest Arkansas, but that’s honest speculation, not reporting. No public announcements as of July 2026.

Opening Day at Buc-ee’s Benton: What to Expect

Since you’re likely reading this in the weeks before August 17, 2026, here’s a practical opening-day guide:

Arrive early or come late:

• Arrive before 6 AM opening: You’ll be in the front of the line but wait outside for the doors to open
• Arrive 6-9 AM: Peak morning crowd. Expect 30-45 minute checkout lines
• Arrive 10 AM – 2 PM: Slightly less busy but ribbon-cutting ceremony crowd hits around noon
• Arrive 3-6 PM: Second wave of crowd. Moderate wait times
• Arrive after 8 PM: Crowds start to thin. Best time for a “calm” first visit

What to buy first:

• Brisket sandwich (freshly sliced, on Buc-ee’s bun)
• Beaver Nuggets (caramel-coated corn puffs, Arkansas will likely stock up quickly)
• Fresh kolaches (Texas-style pastries with fillings)
• Homemade fudge (dozens of flavors, made fresh in-store)
• Buc-ee’s merchandise (T-shirts, hats, mugs, opening day items may become collector items)

What to skip (on opening day only):

• Restroom lines can be long on opening day. Use the interstate rest stop 20 miles east if you can wait
• Fuel pumps can have short waits but usually less than the checkout line
• Popular merchandise sells out: if you see something you want, grab it

Parking and traffic:

Expect heavy congestion around Exit 114 on I-30 on opening day. Arkansas State Police and Saline County officials will likely have traffic control in place. Follow all directions from officers and give yourself extra time for the drive in and out.

Photography and social media:

Opening days at Buc-ee’s are a genuine cultural event in the state. If you want to capture the moment for social media, prime spots include:

• The giant Buc-ee’s beaver sign at the entrance
• The pump array (120 pumps looks impressive)
• The Wall of Jerky (~40 feet of jerky varieties)
• The brisket carving station

If you want the least chaotic first Arkansas Buc-ee’s visit, come back on Tuesday, August 25, the crowds will have significantly normalized by then.

Where Was the Closest Buc-ee’s to Arkansas Before Benton?

For context, here’s what Arkansas residents have been driving to for their Buc-ee’s fix:

Springfield, Missouri, approximately 200 miles north of Fayetteville, 250 miles northeast of Little Rock. About 3.5-4 hour drive from Central Arkansas.

Terrell, Texas, approximately 275 miles southwest of Little Rock via I-30. About 4.5-hour drive.

Warner Robins, Georgia or other southeastern stores: 500+ miles east. Not practical.

For years, Arkansas residents have been the “we drive to Missouri for Buc-ee’s” state. That ends August 17, 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions

When does Buc-ee’s Arkansas open?

Monday, August 17, 2026 at 6 AM. This is the confirmed opening date for Arkansas’s first Buc-ee’s, in Benton at Exit 114 on Interstate 30.

Where is the Buc-ee’s in Arkansas?

Off Exit 114 on Interstate 30, at the southern end of Arkansas Highway 229, near Haskell in Benton (Saline County). About 20 miles east of downtown Little Rock, 40 miles northwest of Hot Springs.

How big is the Benton Buc-ee’s?

74,000 square feet, a full flagship travel center. Features 120 fuel pumps and is projected to draw 5 million visitors annually.

How many gas pumps will Buc-ee’s Benton have?

120 fueling positions, the standard Buc-ee’s flagship count.

Who announced the Benton Buc-ee’s?

Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders publicly announced the project at the 2024 Salt Bowl, the annual Benton Panthers vs Bryant Hornets high school football rivalry game.

When did Buc-ee’s break ground in Benton?

April 16, 2025. The event was called the biggest groundbreaking in Buc-ee’s history, drawing massive crowds. CEO Arch “Beaver” Aplin III attended in person.

Is there a Buc-ee’s near Little Rock?

Not inside Little Rock itself, but Benton is only 20 miles east on I-30, about a 25-minute drive. Once it opens August 17, 2026, it will effectively serve as Little Rock’s Buc-ee’s.

Is there a Buc-ee’s near Hot Springs?

After August 17, 2026, yes. Benton is 40 miles northeast of Hot Springs on I-30, about a 40-minute drive. Perfect for Hot Springs tourism routing.

Is there a Buc-ee’s in Fayetteville or Northwest Arkansas?

No, and Benton doesn’t help much: Fayetteville is 200 miles south (~3 hours). CEO Aplin has hinted Buc-ee’s is looking for a third Arkansas location, but nothing has been announced.

Where is the second Arkansas Buc-ee’s?

West Memphis, on Interstate 40 at the Arkansas-Tennessee border. Originally targeting a 2026 opening, delayed to June 2028 due to infrastructure requirements.

Why is West Memphis Buc-ee’s delayed?

Infrastructure changes and road work around the site are the primary cause. The city of West Memphis has committed a $5 million incentive package including $3.5 million in land value to support the project, but infrastructure timelines are longer than originally expected.

How many jobs will Buc-ee’s Benton create?

200+ full-time positions with starting pay above minimum wage, full benefits, 6% matching 401K, and 3 weeks paid vacation. Employees have been training in the weeks leading up to opening.

How many visitors will Buc-ee’s Benton attract?

Buc-ee’s estimates 5 million people per year. That’s approximately 13,700 per day averaged annually, actual daily counts vary widely by season and day of week.

Is Buc-ee’s Benton open 24 hours?

Yes. Once it opens on August 17, 2026, it will be open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, including Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day.

Are semi-trucks allowed at Buc-ee’s Benton?

No. Buc-ee’s has never allowed 18-wheelers at any of its travel centers, and Benton will follow the same policy. Passenger vehicles and RVs only.

Will there be a car wash at Buc-ee’s Benton?

Details aren’t publicly confirmed. Many newer Buc-ee’s flagships include car washes; some don’t (Murfreesboro TN notably doesn’t). Check on-site at opening.

What’s the closest Buc-ee’s to Arkansas right now?

Before August 17, 2026: Springfield, Missouri (~200 miles from Northwest Arkansas, ~250 miles from Little Rock) or Terrell, Texas (~275 miles from Little Rock via I-30). After August 17: Benton, Arkansas.

Is Arkansas getting a third Buc-ee’s?

Possibly. CEO Arch Aplin III has publicly indicated Buc-ee’s is actively looking for a third Arkansas location. Northwest Arkansas is the most-speculated candidate, but no announcement has been made.

The Bottom Line

Arkansas is finally getting its first Buc-ee’s, and unlike the years-away projects (Ocala, New Kent, Anderson SC), Benton is genuinely happening in three weeks. Construction is complete or near-complete. Employees are trained. The date is locked. If you can be at Exit 114 on I-30 at 6 AM on Monday, August 17, 2026, you’ll be part of what promises to be one of the biggest Buc-ee’s opening days in company history.

My honest suggestions for Arkansas residents:

• Live in Benton, Bryant, or Central Arkansas? Congratulations, you have the best access in the state. Plan for opening day chaos, then treat Benton like a regular grocery run afterward.
• Live in Little Rock or North Little Rock? 25-minute drive southwest on I-30. Realistically doable as a weekly errand. Plan to visit within the first week after opening.
• Live in Hot Springs? 40-minute drive northeast. Pair with any Little Rock trip.
• Live in Northwest Arkansas (Fayetteville, Springdale, Rogers, Bentonville)? 3-hour drive south. Not casual, so plan a full day trip. Watch for any third-Arkansas-store announcement in your area.
• Live in Northeast Arkansas (Jonesboro)? 2h 15min drive west. Not great, but will improve when West Memphis opens in 2028.
• Live in West Memphis area? Your local Buc-ee’s is coming in June 2028 (2 years late). Until then, Benton is 2h 15min west.

Three things I’ll be watching in the coming weeks:

1. Opening day sales figures: Huber Heights recorded $1M+ on its opening day. Arkansas is expected to match or exceed that pace.
2. Traffic congestion patterns: If Exit 114 on I-30 becomes a real bottleneck, Arkansas DOT may need additional improvements post-opening.
3. Any third Arkansas location announcement: CEO Aplin has hinted at one. Whether that lands in 2026 (unlikely) or 2027-2028 (more likely) shapes the state’s Buc-ee’s future.

I update this page after opening day with the actual crowd counts, sales figures, and any operational details worth knowing. If you attend opening day, drop a note about your experience through the contact Page.

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