Buc-ee’s Omaha: Nebraska’s First Store Is Coming to Gretna (2026)
Omaha-area Buc-ee’s fans, good news: Nebraska is finally getting its first store, and it’s landing right next door in Gretna, just off I-80. I’ll give you the honest status, though, it’s confirmed and moving through approvals, but it’s still a couple of years out. Here’s where it’s going, when it might open, and where to get your fix in the meantime.
Key takeaways
- Nebraska’s first Buc-ee’s is coming to Gretna, southwest of Omaha, off Interstate 80 at Highway 31.
- It’s confirmed, with zoning and annexation approved in 2026, but not open yet.
- Groundbreaking is expected around late 2026, with a likely opening around 2028.
- The planned store is about 74,000 square feet in Gretna’s Nebraska Crossing “Good Life District.”
Is there a Buc-ee’s near Omaha?
Not yet, but one is officially on the way. Nebraska’s first Buc-ee’s is planned for Gretna, a fast-growing suburb southwest of Omaha, and the project cleared major approvals in 2026. So while there’s no open store near Omaha today, the honest answer is “coming, and genuinely moving forward.”
Where will the Omaha-area Buc-ee’s be located?
The store is planned for Gretna, at the southeast corner of Interstate 80 and Highway 31, on about 43 acres within Gretna’s Nebraska Crossing “Good Life District,” south of the Nebraska Crossing shopping area. That spot puts it directly on I-80, one of the nation’s busiest east-west corridors, so it’ll catch both Omaha-metro locals and cross-country travelers.
Alt text: Buc-ee’s Omaha-area location planned in Gretna, Nebraska, off I-80
When will the Nebraska Buc-ee’s open?
There’s no official opening date yet, but the timeline points to roughly 2028. Gretna approved annexation and zoning through early-to-mid 2026, and the city said Buc-ee’s hoped to break ground as early as late 2026. Since Buc-ee’s says a store takes about 18 months to build from groundbreaking, that puts a realistic opening around 2028. As always with big Buc-ee’s projects, treat the date as a target.
How big will the Omaha-area Buc-ee’s be?
The Gretna store is planned as a full-size Buc-ee’s at about 74,000 square feet, with dozens of fuel pumps and the chain’s full lineup. So Nebraska isn’t getting a scaled-down version, it’s getting the real, stadium-sized experience: fresh Texas brisket, kolaches, a jerky wall, a fudge counter, Beaver Nuggets, and the famously clean restrooms.
Where’s the closest Buc-ee’s to Omaha right now?
Until Gretna opens, Omaha-area fans have to travel. The nearest options are the Springfield, Missouri store off I-44 to the south, and the Kansas City area (where a Kansas City, Kansas store is also under construction). For most Omaha residents, that’s a road trip rather than a quick errand, which is exactly why the Gretna announcement generated so much excitement.
What to expect when it opens
Expect the full Buc-ee’s spectacle: a 24/7 travel center around 74,000 square feet, a sea of fuel pumps, fresh brisket, kolaches, jerky, fudge, Beaver Nuggets, and spotless restrooms. Given how long Nebraska has waited, opening day will draw big crowds and traffic, the same scenes seen in Ohio and Arizona in 2026. Treat a first visit as an event.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a Buc-ee’s in Omaha?
Not yet. Nebraska’s first Buc-ee’s is planned for nearby Gretna, off I-80, and is confirmed but not open as of 2026.
Where will the Nebraska Buc-ee’s be?
In Gretna, at the southeast corner of I-80 and Highway 31, within the Nebraska Crossing “Good Life District” southwest of Omaha.
When will the Gretna Buc-ee’s open?
No official date is set, but groundbreaking is expected around late 2026, pointing to a likely opening around 2028.
How big will the Nebraska Buc-ee’s be?
It’s planned as a full-size store, about 74,000 square feet, with dozens of fuel pumps.
Where is the closest Buc-ee’s to Omaha now?
The nearest are the Springfield, Missouri store and the Kansas City area, both a road trip from Omaha, until Gretna opens.
The bottom line
Nebraska’s first Buc-ee’s is genuinely coming to Gretna, right off I-80 and an easy hop from Omaha, but patience is key: a 2028 opening is the realistic target. For now, Springfield, Missouri is your closest bet. Watch for the groundbreaking, and see every current store on our Buc-ee’s 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.