Buc-ee’s DeForest: Wisconsin’s Second Store Near Madison (2026)
Madison-area Buc-ee’s fans, here’s the honest scoop on the DeForest store: it’s still planned, but it hit a snag and lost the race to be Wisconsin’s first. If you’ve been waiting on a Buc-ee’s near Madison and the Dells, this one’s for you. Here’s where it’s going, why it’s delayed, and what it means now that Oak Creek is set to open first.
Key takeaways
- A Buc-ee’s is planned for DeForest, just north of Madison, off I-39/90/94.
- It was originally set to be Wisconsin’s first, but delays pushed it behind the Oak Creek store near Milwaukee.
- The holdup is funding for a highway interchange upgrade to handle the traffic.
- The DeForest plan calls for a full-size store, about 74,000 square feet with 120 fuel pumps.
Is there a Buc-ee’s in DeForest?
No, there is no open Buc-ee’s in DeForest yet, but one is planned. Buc-ee’s bought the DeForest land back in 2023 and announced plans for a full-size travel center just north of Madison. The project is still alive, but it hit delays and will no longer be Wisconsin’s first store. So the honest status is “planned and owned, but stuck on roadwork.”
Where will the DeForest Buc-ee’s be located?
The DeForest Buc-ee’s is planned near the Interstate 39/90/94 corridor, around the Highway V exit, just north of Madison. That’s a prime spot: it sits on the main route between Madison and the Wisconsin Dells, one of the state’s biggest tourism draws, so it would catch heavy vacation and commuter traffic heading north.
Alt text: Buc-ee’s DeForest, Wisconsin, planned location off I-39/90/94 near Madison
Why is the DeForest Buc-ee’s delayed?
The delay comes down to road funding. The interchange near the DeForest site needs a major upgrade to handle the thousands of extra vehicles a Buc-ee’s draws, and figuring out how to pay for it has held things up. Buc-ee’s has offered to cover more than half the cost but needs several million dollars in reimbursement, so the village has been working with the state and county on funding. Until that’s resolved, the store can’t break ground.
Because of that snag, the newer Oak Creek project near Milwaukee leapfrogged DeForest and is now set to be Wisconsin’s first Buc-ee’s, expected around early 2027. Importantly, Oak Creek is in addition to DeForest, not a replacement, so both are still planned.
Will DeForest still get a Buc-ee’s?
Yes, that’s the plan. DeForest officials remain hopeful and positive about the project, and Buc-ee’s still owns the land. It just won’t be first, and it needs the interchange funding sorted before construction begins. There’s no confirmed opening date. For the statewide picture, see our Buc-ee’s Wisconsin guide.
How big will the DeForest Buc-ee’s be?
The DeForest store is planned as a full-size Buc-ee’s, about 74,000 square feet with 120 fueling positions under two canopies and 600-plus parking spaces, plus EV charging. So the Madison area would get the complete experience whenever it opens: fresh brisket, kolaches, jerky, fudge, Beaver Nuggets, and the famously clean restrooms.
Where’s the closest Buc-ee’s to Madison now?
Until either Wisconsin store opens, Madison-area fans have to leave the state. The nearest open Buc-ee’s is the Springfield, Missouri store, a serious drive south. That distance is exactly why both the DeForest and Oak Creek announcements landed with so much excitement, a local store turns a multi-state expedition into a quick trip.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a Buc-ee’s in DeForest?
No. The DeForest Buc-ee’s is planned but not open, and it’s delayed by highway-interchange funding issues.
Where will the DeForest Buc-ee’s be?
Near the I-39/90/94 corridor around the Highway V exit, just north of Madison, on the route to the Wisconsin Dells.
Is DeForest Wisconsin’s first Buc-ee’s?
No, not anymore. Delays pushed it behind the Oak Creek store near Milwaukee, which is set to be Wisconsin’s first, around early 2027.
How big will the DeForest Buc-ee’s be?
It’s planned as a full-size store, about 74,000 square feet with 120 fuel pumps and 600-plus parking spaces.
Where is the closest Buc-ee’s to Madison now?
The nearest open Buc-ee’s is the Springfield, Missouri store, a long drive south, until Wisconsin’s stores open.
The bottom line
DeForest is still on track for a Buc-ee’s near Madison and the Dells, but it lost the “first in Wisconsin” title to Oak Creek and needs its interchange funding resolved before breaking ground. It’s coming, just not first and not soon. For now, Springfield, Missouri is the closest store. See the full picture in our Buc-ee’s Wisconsin guide and locations map.
See other upcoming stores in our new Buc-ee’s locations guide, or check official openings on the Buc-ee’s locations page.