Buc-ee’s Kentucky 2026: Richmond, Smiths Grove + Oak Grove Coming

Quick answer: Buc-ee’s locations are coming to Kentucky in Richmond, Smiths Grove, and Oak Grove. This guide covers each planned store and its status.

Kentucky’s Buc-ee’s story is smaller in number than you’d expect from a state this heavily traveled, just two open stores and a third that keeps getting delayed. But the two that are open are strategically placed for exactly the trips people actually take: Richmond on I-75 for the Cincinnati-to-Knoxville run, and Smiths Grove on I-65 for the Nashville-to-Louisville drive. If you regularly do either of those routes, a Kentucky Buc-ee’s stop is basically automatic.

Here’s the honest picture as of July 2026: Louisville and Lexington still don’t have their own Buc-ee’s (this trips up a lot of Kentucky searchers), but Lexington residents are actually very well served because Richmond sits just 30 miles south. Louisville residents have to drive about 75 miles south to Smiths Grove, but Bowling Green and the entire I-65 corridor south of Louisville have easy access. The third Kentucky store planned for Oak Grove (near Fort Campbell on I-24) was originally targeting fall 2026 but has been delayed by infrastructure issues at the I-24 exit ramp. This guide walks through every store, honestly addresses the metros without one, and gives you the bourbon trail and Mammoth Cave pairings that make Kentucky Buc-ee’s stops worth planning around.

Quick reference:

• 2 open Buc-ee’s in Kentucky: Richmond (April 2022) on I-75, Smiths Grove (June 24, 2024) on I-65
• 1 coming (delayed): Oak Grove near Fort Campbell on I-24, originally targeting fall 2026, now delayed indefinitely due to infrastructure issues
• No Buc-ee’s in Louisville, Lexington, Bowling Green, Frankfort, Owensboro, Paducah, or Ashland: no plans announced for any of these cities
• Closest to Lexington: Richmond, only 30 miles south (~30 min)
• Closest to Louisville: Smiths Grove, ~75 miles south (~1h 15min)
• All open Kentucky Buc-ee’s are 24 hours a day, 365 days a year

How Many Buc-ee’s Are in Kentucky?

Two open Buc-ee’s as of July 2026 (Richmond and Smiths Grove), with a third planned for Oak Grove that has been delayed from its original fall 2026 target. Once Oak Grove opens (timing unclear as of publication), Kentucky will have three stores covering all three of its major interstates:

• Richmond on I-75 (Cincinnati-Knoxville corridor)
• Smiths Grove on I-65 (Louisville-Nashville corridor)
• Oak Grove on I-24 (western Kentucky, near Tennessee border): delayed

That interstate coverage strategy is deliberate. Kentucky has three major north-south / east-west corridors, and Buc-ee’s positioned one store on each. When Oak Grove finally opens, Kentucky joins Alabama and Texas as one of the few states where Buc-ee’s covers every major interstate in the state.

Is There a Buc-ee’s in Kentucky?

Yes, two of them. Kentucky’s first Buc-ee’s opened in April 2022 in Richmond, right off I-75 south of Lexington. Kentucky’s second opened on June 24, 2024 in Smiths Grove on I-65, about 20 miles north of Bowling Green. If you drive I-65 or I-75 through Kentucky, you can hit a Buc-ee’s stop.

If you drive I-24 through western Kentucky, you’ll have to wait for Oak Grove to open: no firm date, but the site has approvals in place and construction is expected once infrastructure work is resolved.

The 2 Open Kentucky Buc-ee’s

Buc-ee’s Richmond: Kentucky’s First

Address: 1013 Buc-ee’s Boulevard, Richmond, KY 40475 Highway: I-75 Opened: April 2022 Amenities: Car wash, DEF, Ethanol-Free 87 and 90 Octane Distance from Lexington: ~30 miles south (~30 min) Distance from Cincinnati: ~90 miles north (~1h 30min) Distance from Knoxville, TN: ~100 miles south (~1h 30min) Distance from Louisville: ~90 miles west (~1h 30min)

Richmond is the store Lexington residents essentially treat as their own local Buc-ee’s: 30 miles south on I-75 makes it a legitimate errand run rather than a road-trip destination. It’s also positioned as the perfect midpoint stop on the Cincinnati-to-Knoxville drive, a corridor that runs through everything from Ohio-based Cincinnati Bengals traffic to Tennessee-bound spring break vacationers.

What makes Richmond worth planning around:

• Lexington’s de facto Buc-ee’s. For anyone in Lexington, Frankfort, or central Kentucky, this is basically your gas station once you’re willing to drive 30 minutes.
• Full car wash amenities: one of the reasons Richmond gets used as a “grocery run” plus car wash trip by Lexington residents.
• Bourbon Trail access. Richmond is on the eastern edge of Kentucky’s Bourbon Country. You can pair a Buc-ee’s stop with a Woodford Reserve, Buffalo Trace, or Wild Turkey distillery tour.
• The I-75 Great Lakes to Deep South corridor. Cincinnati-to-Knoxville traffic peaks on holiday weekends, so plan accordingly.

Peak times to avoid: Sunday afternoons (Knoxville returning traffic), Friday afternoons (Florida spring break traffic in March-April), Vols football game weekends.

Buc-ee’s Smiths Grove: Louisville’s Nearest Option

Address: 4001 Smiths Grove-Scottsville Road, Smiths Grove, KY 42171 Highway: I-65 at Exit 38 Opened: June 24, 2024 Size: 53,471 sq ft with 120 fueling positions Amenities: Car wash, DEF, Ethanol-Free 87 and 90 Octane Distance from Bowling Green: ~20 miles south (~25 min) Distance from Louisville: ~75 miles north (~1h 15min) Distance from Nashville, TN: ~75 miles south (~1h 15min) Distance from Mammoth Cave National Park: ~30 miles

Smiths Grove is the Buc-ee’s that Louisville residents have to drive down to. It’s not close enough for a routine errand, but it’s realistic for a monthly stock-up run or a Nashville trip. It’s also the midpoint on the I-65 route between Louisville and Nashville, literally halfway.

Buc-ee’s Director of Real Estate Stan Beard called out the location at groundbreaking: “We are excited to be in Western Kentucky along a beautiful stretch of I-65 between Nashville and Louisville. Smiths Grove will be the smallest town with a Buc-ee’s. It has a big heart just like we do, so we’ll get along just fine!”

What makes Smiths Grove worth planning around:

• Louisville’s nearest Buc-ee’s. For anyone in Louisville metro, Jeffersontown, Prospect, or northern Kentucky, Smiths Grove is your default.
• Perfect Nashville-Louisville midpoint. Music-city travelers hit this stop by default.
• Mammoth Cave National Park pairing: only 30 miles away. Best family day trip pairing in Kentucky.
• The smallest Buc-ee’s town: Smiths Grove is genuinely small, which means the store dominates the local landscape.
• Head pitmaster Randy Pauly attended the June 24, 2024 grand opening, competitive-barbecue-ranked pitmaster who oversees every Buc-ee’s smoker in the network

Peak times to avoid: Weekend afternoons (Nashville-to-Louisville and reverse traffic), Kentucky Derby weekend, University of Louisville / University of Kentucky football weekends.

Is There a Buc-ee’s Near Louisville, KY?

Yes, Buc-ee’s Smiths Grove is 75 miles south of Louisville on I-65. For any Louisville resident, this is your nearest option, about a 1 hour 15 minute drive down the interstate.

From downtown Louisville:

• Take I-65 South
• Continue for about 75 miles (past Bowling Green)
• Take Exit 38 for Smiths Grove
• Total drive time: 1h 15min without traffic

Realistic frequency: Smiths Grove is far enough from Louisville that most residents make it a monthly or bi-monthly trip rather than a routine errand. It works well combined with:

• A Nashville weekend trip (mid-point break)
• A Mammoth Cave National Park family day trip
• A Bowling Green day trip (Corvette Museum, WKU)
• A bourbon distillery tour route through central Kentucky

Long-term: No Buc-ee’s is planned for Louisville itself or the immediate Louisville metro. Louisville’s traffic and land pattern (destination traffic, urban development) doesn’t fit Buc-ee’s interchange-heavy model. Don’t expect a Louisville-area Buc-ee’s in the foreseeable future.

Is There a Buc-ee’s in Louisville?

No. Louisville has no Buc-ee’s inside city limits and none is announced. The closest is Smiths Grove, 75 miles south on I-65 (about 1h 15min drive).

Louisville residents are effectively an hour and 15 minutes from their nearest Buc-ee’s, which is a real gap for a city of 620,000+. But given Buc-ee’s site-selection model (interstate interchanges with 15-30 acres of land), a downtown or near-downtown Louisville location is very unlikely. If a Buc-ee’s ever comes closer, it’ll probably be a suburb like Shepherdsville, Elizabethtown, or somewhere along I-65 south.

Is There a Buc-ee’s in Lexington, KY?

Not inside Lexington itself, but Buc-ee’s Richmond is only 30 miles south on I-75, one of the shortest distances between any major U.S. metro and its “nearest” Buc-ee’s.

From downtown Lexington:

• Take I-75 South
• Continue for about 30 miles
• Take the exit for Richmond
• Total drive time: 30-35 minutes without traffic

Realistic frequency: Richmond is close enough to Lexington that many residents treat it like a normal grocery run. This is a real luxury for a metro of 320,000+: most cities don’t get a Buc-ee’s this convenient. If you live in Lexington, you can add Buc-ee’s brisket, kolaches, or Beaver Nuggets to any routine trip through central Kentucky.

For Lexington sports fans making the drive to UK Wildcats away games or SEC road trips, Richmond is also the natural first stop heading south.

Is There a Buc-ee’s in Bowling Green, KY?

Not inside Bowling Green, but Smiths Grove is only 20 miles north on I-65. A 25-minute drive. Basically Bowling Green residents share Smiths Grove.

From downtown Bowling Green:

• Take I-65 North
• Continue for about 20 miles
• Take Exit 38 for Smiths Grove
• Total drive time: 20-25 minutes

Bowling Green residents (and WKU students) have some of the easiest Buc-ee’s access in Kentucky, closer than Lexington’s access to Richmond in absolute distance. Corvette Museum visitors coming down from Louisville or up from Nashville can easily add a Buc-ee’s stop.

The 3rd Coming Kentucky Buc-ee’s: Oak Grove

Location: Oak Grove, KY (near Fort Campbell / 101st Airborne Division) Highway: I-24 Original target: Fall 2026 Current status: Delayed indefinitely due to I-24 exit ramp infrastructure issues Approved: Oak Grove City Council approved business agreements

Oak Grove is the third Kentucky Buc-ee’s that’s been in the pipeline since at least 2022, when WKDZ Radio first reported Oak Grove as a possible host city. The City Council approved business agreements with Buc-ee’s, and councilperson Janet Edwards posted on Facebook that “development soon” was expected. But the project has been delayed by infrastructure problems at the nearest I-24 exit ramp, a familiar pattern (Ocala FL, Anderson SC, New Kent VA all delayed by similar infrastructure requirements).

Why Oak Grove matters:

1. First Buc-ee’s on I-24. This is the east-west interstate corridor that connects Nashville to Paducah to Louisville (via I-65). No current Buc-ee’s is on I-24.
2. Fort Campbell traffic. The 101st Airborne Division is based at Fort Campbell (adjacent to Oak Grove). Military traffic patterns would guarantee steady visitors.
3. Clarksville, TN border town position. Clarksville is about 15 miles south, a growing Nashville-metro exurb.
4. Kentucky’s interstate coverage completion. Once Oak Grove opens, Kentucky covers I-24 + I-65 + I-75, all three major interstates.

Realistic prediction: If infrastructure issues get resolved in late 2026, Oak Grove could open in late 2027 or early 2028. If they don’t get resolved, this project stays stalled indefinitely. Watch for Kentucky Transportation Cabinet updates on the I-24 exit ramp for the leading indicator.

The Nashville-Louisville “Music Cities Corridor”

Here’s a routing angle nobody frames explicitly: Smiths Grove is the perfect midpoint of the Nashville-to-Louisville drive on I-65. Stan Beard himself set this up at the Smiths Grove groundbreaking: “a beautiful stretch of I-65 between Nashville and Louisville.”

Doing the Nashville-Louisville run? Here’s the math:

• Louisville to Smiths Grove: 75 miles (~1h 15min)
• Smiths Grove to Nashville: 75 miles (~1h 15min)

That’s mathematically the midpoint. If you’re driving Louisville to Nashville for country music, honky-tonks, or a concert at Bridgestone Arena, Smiths Grove is where you should stop, not a random gas station 40 minutes earlier or later.

The same logic works reversed: Nashville residents driving to Louisville for the Kentucky Derby, University of Louisville football, or bourbon distillery tours hit Smiths Grove exactly at the halfway point.

This routing pairs especially well with:

• Kentucky Derby weekend: country and Nashville visitors flooding into Louisville
• Country music tourism: Grand Ole Opry, Ryman Auditorium visitors
• Louisville bourbon distillery tours: Angel’s Envy, Old Forester, Rabbit Hole
• Nashville bourbon/music combo trips: most travelers do both cities

The Cincinnati-Knoxville I-75 Corridor

Richmond serves the other big Kentucky corridor: Cincinnati to Knoxville on I-75. This is another mathematical midpoint story:

• Cincinnati to Richmond: ~90 miles (~1h 30min)
• Richmond to Knoxville: ~100 miles (~1h 30min)

Close enough to being the midpoint that Richmond is essentially the required break on this drive. It’s especially heavy in three seasons:

• March-April spring break: Northeast Ohio and Michigan families driving to Florida via I-75
• Fall football season: Cincinnati Bengals fans, Ohio State fans, Tennessee Vols fans
• Summer vacation traffic: Great Lakes families heading to Great Smoky Mountains

If you’re driving between Cincinnati and Knoxville regularly, Richmond isn’t optional. It’s the stop.

Kentucky Bourbon Trail + Buc-ee’s Pairing

Kentucky’s biggest tourism draw is the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, and both open Buc-ee’s can serve as launch points for distillery tours.

Richmond Buc-ee’s as bourbon tour launch:

• Woodford Reserve (~40 miles northwest)
• Buffalo Trace (~30 miles northwest in Frankfort)
• Wild Turkey (~50 miles west in Lawrenceburg)
• Four Roses (~55 miles west)

Plan the trip: Buc-ee’s stop for food and fuel → distillery tours through central Kentucky → back to I-75 heading south.

Smiths Grove Buc-ee’s as bourbon tour launch:

• Maker’s Mark (~40 miles east in Loretto)
• Heaven Hill (~55 miles northeast in Bardstown)
• Jim Beam (~65 miles northeast in Clermont)

Plan the trip: Nashville → I-65 north → Smiths Grove for lunch and fuel → distillery tours in southwestern Kentucky → return to Nashville or continue to Louisville.

Both stores are well-positioned for bourbon country. If you’re doing a distillery weekend, either Buc-ee’s can anchor your route.

Mammoth Cave Family Day Trip Pairing

Smiths Grove is only 30 miles from Mammoth Cave National Park, one of the best family day trip pairings in the entire Buc-ee’s network.

The route:

• Arrive at Smiths Grove early morning (7-8 AM to beat the crowds)
• Fuel up, grab breakfast, load the cooler with brisket sandwiches for lunch
• Drive 30 minutes to Mammoth Cave National Park
• Do a morning cave tour
• Picnic on the grounds
• Return to Smiths Grove for a final restroom break and dinner run on the way home

This is a genuinely underrated Kentucky trip that no other Buc-ee’s guide develops properly. If you have kids, this itinerary hits every mark: bathroom breaks, snacks, brisket, actual outdoor adventure at Mammoth Cave, and a natural rhythm to the day.

Nearest Buc-ee’s to Major Kentucky Cities

Takeaways:

• Lexington and Bowling Green are the biggest winners in Kentucky’s Buc-ee’s map, both under 30 miles from a store
• Louisville is the biggest metro without close access, 75+ miles to any Buc-ee’s
• Western Kentucky (Paducah, Hopkinsville) will get significant relief when Oak Grove finally opens
• Cross-state traffic (Cincinnati, Nashville, Indianapolis) uses Kentucky stores as their midpoints

Which Kentucky Buc-ee’s Is Best?

Here’s my honest ranking:

#1: Smiths Grove. Newer, bigger (120 pumps confirmed), and strategically at the perfect Nashville-Louisville midpoint. If I could only visit one Kentucky Buc-ee’s, this is it. Bonus: Mammoth Cave pairing.

#2: Richmond. Kentucky’s original, Lexington’s de facto store, close to bourbon country. Slightly smaller and older but incredibly well-placed for central Kentucky access.

Coming #3: Oak Grove. When (if?) it opens, it’ll be Kentucky’s first Buc-ee’s on I-24 and fill the western Kentucky gap. Currently delayed indefinitely.

Honestly, Smiths Grove and Richmond are much closer in quality than my ranking suggests. They both serve the same food, follow the same standards, and are open 24/7. Pick based on which corridor you’re on.

Amenity Details for Every Kentucky Buc-ee’s

Key observations:

• Both open Kentucky stores carry 87 AND 90 octane ethanol-free (better than some states like SC which only carries 90)
• Both have car washes
• Both have DEF
• Smiths Grove has 120 pumps confirmed by news reports; Richmond likely has 104-120 (varies by source)

Frequently Asked Questions

How many Buc-ee’s are in Kentucky?

Two open Buc-ee’s as of July 2026: Richmond (opened April 2022) on I-75, and Smiths Grove (opened June 24, 2024) on I-65. A third store in Oak Grove on I-24 was originally targeting fall 2026 but has been delayed indefinitely due to infrastructure issues.

Where is the Buc-ee’s in Kentucky?

Two locations:

• Richmond: 1013 Buc-ee’s Boulevard, Richmond, KY 40475 (I-75)
• Smiths Grove: 4001 Smiths Grove-Scottsville Road, Smiths Grove, KY 42171 (I-65 Exit 38)

Is there a Buc-ee’s in Louisville, KY?

No. Louisville has no Buc-ee’s inside city limits and none is announced. The closest is Smiths Grove, 75 miles south on I-65 (about 1 hour 15 minutes drive).

Is there a Buc-ee’s near Louisville?

Yes, Smiths Grove, 75 miles south of Louisville on I-65. It’s a genuine drive, not a routine errand, but doable as a monthly trip or paired with a Nashville weekend or Mammoth Cave day trip.

Is there a Buc-ee’s in Lexington, KY?

Not inside Lexington itself, but Buc-ee’s Richmond is only 30 miles south on I-75, about a 30-minute drive. Many Lexington residents treat Richmond as their local Buc-ee’s.

Is there a Buc-ee’s in Bowling Green, KY?

Not inside Bowling Green, but Smiths Grove is 20 miles north on I-65, about a 25-minute drive. Bowling Green residents effectively share Smiths Grove.

When did the first Kentucky Buc-ee’s open?

April 2022. Richmond was Kentucky’s first Buc-ee’s, opening at 1013 Buc-ee’s Boulevard off I-75 south of Lexington.

When did the Smiths Grove Buc-ee’s open?

June 24, 2024 at 6 AM. It was Kentucky’s second Buc-ee’s, opening at 4001 Smiths Grove-Scottsville Road on I-65 (Exit 38). Head pitmaster Randy Pauly attended the opening.

When will the Oak Grove Buc-ee’s open?

No firm date. The project was originally targeting fall 2026, but infrastructure issues with the I-24 exit ramp have pushed the timeline back indefinitely. Watch for Kentucky Transportation Cabinet updates on the I-24 exit ramp for the leading indicator.

Where will the Oak Grove Buc-ee’s be located?

In Oak Grove, Kentucky, near Fort Campbell and the 101st Airborne Division. Off Interstate 24 in southwestern Kentucky, near the Tennessee border.

Are Kentucky Buc-ee’s open 24 hours?

Yes. Both Richmond and Smiths Grove are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, including Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day.

Do Kentucky Buc-ee’s have car washes?

Yes. Both Richmond and Smiths Grove have full car wash facilities, typically operating 7 AM to 10 PM.

Which Kentucky Buc-ee’s is bigger?

Smiths Grove is slightly larger at 53,471 sq ft with 120 confirmed fueling positions. Richmond is close in size at approximately 53,000 sq ft.

What’s the closest Buc-ee’s to Mammoth Cave?

Smiths Grove, only 30 miles from Mammoth Cave National Park. It’s the natural launch point for any Mammoth Cave day trip.

What’s the closest Buc-ee’s to Bourbon Country?

Both. Richmond is close to Woodford Reserve, Buffalo Trace, Wild Turkey, and Four Roses. Smiths Grove is close to Maker’s Mark, Heaven Hill, and Jim Beam. Either store can anchor a bourbon distillery tour route.

Are there any Buc-ee’s near Frankfort, KY?

Richmond at 50 miles south on I-64 to I-75, about a 50-minute drive.

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

No. Buc-ee’s has never allowed 18-wheelers at any of its travel centers, including the Kentucky locations. Parking lots and driveways are designed for passenger vehicles only.

The Bottom Line

Kentucky’s Buc-ee’s story is small in number but strategically important. The two open stores cover I-75 and I-65 (the state’s two most-traveled north-south interstates), and each is positioned as a mathematical midpoint on a heavily-traveled corridor (Cincinnati-Knoxville for Richmond, Nashville-Louisville for Smiths Grove). Once Oak Grove finally opens on I-24, Kentucky joins the elite short list of states with all major interstates covered.

My honest suggestions:

• Live in Lexington or Frankfort? Richmond is your default at 30-50 minutes south. Treat it like a routine errand.
• Live in Louisville? Smiths Grove is 75 miles south, a genuine drive, but perfect for Nashville trip pairings or Mammoth Cave family days.
• Live in Bowling Green? Smiths Grove is 20 minutes north, the easiest access in Kentucky.
• Live in Owensboro, Paducah, or western KY? Wait for Oak Grove. Until then, Smiths Grove is your best option.
• Live in Ashland or eastern KY? Richmond is 2.5 hours west, a real drive, not casual.
• Driving Cincinnati to Knoxville? Richmond is your default midpoint.
• Driving Nashville to Louisville? Smiths Grove is your default midpoint.

Two things I’ll be watching closely:

1. The Oak Grove I-24 exit ramp infrastructure resolution. If the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet fixes the exit ramp issue, Oak Grove opens 12-18 months later. If it stays unresolved, the project stays stalled.
2. Any Louisville metro proposal. Louisville is the biggest Kentucky metro without close Buc-ee’s access. If Buc-ee’s ever evaluates a Louisville suburb (Shepherdsville, Elizabethtown, or similar), that news changes the state map significantly.

I update this page every time a major milestone shifts. If you spot local news I’ve missed (especially about Oak Grove construction), drop a note through the contact link.

Related Buc-ee’s Guides

• All Buc-ee’s Locations by State
• Buc-ee’s Tennessee Locations
• New Buc-ee’s Locations Coming Soon
• Buc-ee’s Georgia