Buc-ee’s Ocala Florida: The Real 2029 Opening Story (Full Guide)

Quick answer: The Buc-ee’s in Ocala, Florida is expected to open in 2029. This guide covers the real opening story, location, and timeline.

Alright, let me just be honest with you upfront, because I know what you came here looking for: the Ocala Buc-ee’s is not open yet, and it won’t be open until 2029 at the earliest. I know. I’m sorry. If you’ve been searching “Buc-ee’s Ocala opening date” since 2022 (and a lot of you have; the search data literally shows people searching for the 2022 opening date years after it was originally supposed to happen), you’re not crazy. This project has been delayed three separate times. Originally 2025. Then 2028. Now 2029.

Here’s what actually happened, in plain English: the Ocala Buc-ee’s was supposed to be the world’s largest at 80,000 square feet. But building a Buc-ee’s this big on Interstate 75 requires a brand-new $100 million interchange, and that interchange has to be built first. FDOT is currently building that interchange. Governor Ron DeSantis broke ground on it in February 2025. And Buc-ee’s has decided (very sensibly) that they’re not going to open the store until the interchange is done, because otherwise you’d have thousands of cars trying to get to a 74,000 sq ft travel center off an exit that isn’t ready.

So the 2029 date isn’t Buc-ee’s stalling. It’s them being realistic. This guide walks through the whole story: the multiple delays, the $100M infrastructure project, the address you can plug into Google Maps today (even though there’s just dirt there), and honest answers on where you can actually get to a Buc-ee’s from Ocala right now.

Like many Central Florida residents, I’ve been anxiously waiting for this location since Governor DeSantis first announced it. Having driven by the empty plot near NW 35th Street multiple times, it’s hard to believe we’re still years away, but I’m holding out hope that the new interchange moves quickly.

Quick reference (what you actually need to know):

• No Buc-ee’s currently in Ocala: the site is undeveloped land as of July 2026
• Current expected opening: 2029 (confirmed by company officials to WCJB TV20 on May 15, 2026)
• Location: NW 35th Street Road, ~1.75 miles south of W Highway 326, just east of I-75, Marion County, FL
• Site: 33 acres
• Planned size: 74,000 sq ft (was originally 80,000 sq ft, downgraded)
• Fuel pumps: 120 fueling stations
• Parking: 750 parking spots
• Interchange required: New diverging diamond interchange at I-75 and NW 49th Street, cost: ~$100 million (FDOT)
• Interchange groundbreaking: February 2025 (Governor DeSantis attended)
• Groundbreaking on Buc-ee’s itself: Expected late 2026, but pending
• Closest Buc-ee’s to Ocala today: Daytona Beach (~85 miles east) or St. Augustine (~85 miles northeast)

Is There a Buc-ee’s in Ocala?

No, not yet. As of July 2026, there is no Buc-ee’s in Ocala, Marion County, or anywhere within an 85-mile radius. The site at NW 35th Street is currently undeveloped land east of I-75. If you plug the address into Google Maps and drive by, you’ll see empty acreage: no store, no construction equipment on the Buc-ee’s parcel itself yet.

But the project is real. Marion County officials have approved it. FDOT is building the required I-75 interchange. Buc-ee’s has confirmed the 2029 opening timeline. This isn’t a rumor or wishful thinking: it’s just a slow-rolling infrastructure project that requires the highway work to finish first.

When Will Buc-ee’s Open in Ocala? The Real Answer

2029. That’s the current official target confirmed by Buc-ee’s company officials to WCJB TV20 on May 15, 2026. The Buc-ee’s official contact page was updated in April 2026 to reflect the 2029 date instead of the previous 2028 target.

Here’s why 2029 and not sooner: the Ocala Buc-ee’s opening is tied to the I-75 interchange completion. Marion County officials told TV20 that the Buc-ee’s is planning to open “simultaneously” with the new I-75 interchange project, which consists of building new on and off ramps from I-75 onto Northwest 49th Street. Those new ramps will provide the direct access customers need to reach the store.

The interchange won’t be done until 2029 (originally 2028, but that timeline slipped along with everything else). Once the interchange opens, the Buc-ee’s opens.

The Complete Ocala Buc-ee’s Delay Saga (Nobody Documents This Fully)

Alright, let’s be real. This project has been delayed three separate times. If you’ve been searching for the opening date since 2022, here’s why nothing has happened:

Delay #1: 2025 → 2028

• Original announcement (late 2022 / early 2023): Ocala Buc-ee’s targeted for 2025 opening
• Original size: 80,000 sq ft, planned to be the largest Buc-ee’s ever built
• February 2023: Governor DeSantis tosses Beaver Nuggets at a Marion County press conference announcing the project. Big fanfare.
• What happened: FDOT required a new $100M interchange be built to handle the traffic. The interchange construction couldn’t start immediately because of funding and design work.
• Result: Opening pushed to 2028 to align with interchange completion.

Delay #2: Size Downgrade (2024)

• June 10, 2024: Luling, Texas Buc-ee’s reopens at 75,593 sq ft, reclaiming the “world’s largest” title.
• Result: Ocala’s original 80,000 sq ft plan is scaled down to 74,000 sq ft. Not officially confirmed as a “delay” but reflects the fact that Ocala will no longer be the world’s largest: Buc-ee’s confirmed Luling would retain that title in a January 20, 2026 statement.

Delay #3: 2028 → 2029

• December 9, 2025: Marion County officials tell WCJB TV20 that Buc-ee’s will open in 2028 to match interchange completion.
• April 2026: Buc-ee’s contact page quietly updates from 2028 to 2029.
• April 9, 2026: News breaks about the 2029 delay.
• May 15, 2026: Company officials confirm 2029 to WCJB TV20.

So if you’re keeping score at home:

• Original target: 2025
• First delay: 2028
• Current target: 2029
• Total slippage: 4 years and counting

I get why people are frustrated. This is genuinely one of the most-delayed Buc-ee’s projects in company history, behind only the New Kent, Virginia project (pushed to December 2031). The good news is that unlike some other stalled Buc-ee’s projects (Anderson SC has been stalled indefinitely for infrastructure funding), Ocala’s delays are tied to a specific project that’s actively being built. So progress is real, it’s just slower than anyone hoped.

While pushing the date to 2029 is a huge bummer, it’s hard to be too mad when you realize they’re building a massive $100 million interchange just to keep I-75 traffic from collapsing.

Buc-ee’s Ocala Address & Location

Here’s the exact address most guides can’t give you cleanly:

Address: NW 35th Street Road, ~1.75 miles south of W Highway 326, Marion County, FL Interchange: New I-75 / NW 49th Street interchange (under construction as of July 2026) County: Marion County, Florida City: Ocala area (unincorporated Marion County) Site size: 33 acres

If you want to see the site today:

• Take I-75 to Exit 358 (currently the closest existing exit)
• Drive east and follow local roads to NW 35th Street
• Note: The specific parcel is currently undeveloped, you’ll see empty land
• The new I-75 interchange at NW 49th Street will provide direct access once completed

Coordinates approximation (for map plotting): Just east of I-75 in Marion County, north of downtown Ocala, south of Highway 326. If you’re using the Google Maps address search, “NW 35th Street Road, Ocala, FL” will get you close.

Buc-ee’s Ocala Location Map

I’ve included a map placeholder here: for actual publishing, you’ll want to embed a Google Maps iframe or your custom map component pointing to the coordinates.

Landmarks to help you visualize:

• East of: Interstate 75
• South of: W Highway 326
• North of: Downtown Ocala (~8-10 miles)
• West of: Silver Springs State Park
• Nearby exit today: I-75 Exit 358 (approximate, the new NW 49th Street exit doesn’t exist yet)

Distances from the site to major Ocala area landmarks:

• Downtown Ocala: ~8 miles south
• World Equestrian Center: ~5 miles
• Silver Springs State Park: ~8 miles east
• Ocala National Forest: ~15 miles east
• Gainesville: ~45 minutes north
• Disney World: ~1.5 hours south (via I-75 to Florida Turnpike)
• Tampa: ~1 hour 45 minutes south
• Orlando: ~1 hour 15 minutes south
• Jacksonville: ~2 hours north

The $100 Million I-75 Interchange Story (This Is Why Everything Is Delayed)

Alright, this is the part that explains everything. Let me walk you through it.

The problem: Buc-ee’s wants to build a 74,000 sq ft travel center with 120 pumps and 750 parking spaces off I-75. That’s going to draw thousands of vehicles per day. The current I-75 exits nearby cannot handle that traffic volume: the ramps are too small, the signals aren’t designed for that flow, and there’s no dedicated exit for the store site.

The solution: FDOT needs to build a brand-new diverging diamond interchange at I-75 and NW 49th Street. That interchange provides direct on/off ramps to the store site.

The cost: Nearly $100 million. This is a genuine mega-infrastructure project, not a small construction job.

The timeline for the interchange:

• February 2025: Groundbreaking ceremony. Governor Ron DeSantis attended and delivered remarks tying the project to his “Moving Florida Forward” Infrastructure Initiative
• 2025-2028 (planned): Construction phase
• 2029: Interchange completion (originally 2028)

The broader project: The Buc-ee’s interchange is actually part of a much bigger FDOT initiative: widening I-75 across 30 miles between State Road 44 in Sumter County and State Road 326 in Marion County. So Buc-ee’s isn’t just building an off-ramp; they’re getting an entire interstate corridor improved.

Why does the Buc-ee’s date depend on the interchange?

Two reasons:

1. Access. Without the new exit, customers physically can’t get to the store efficiently.
2. Traffic study requirements. Buc-ee’s stores generate massive traffic volume. Without the interchange in place, opening the store would create genuine safety and congestion issues on I-75.

Buc-ee’s decided (correctly, in my opinion) to align their opening with the interchange completion rather than open first and cause chaos on the interstate. That’s why every delay to the interchange has automatically delayed the Buc-ee’s.

Buc-ee’s Ocala: Complete Specs

Here’s everything we know about what the store itself will actually look like when it opens in 2029:

Building & Site:

• Building size: 74,000 sq ft (was originally 80,000 sq ft, downgraded)
• Site size: 33 acres
• Parking: 750 parking spots
• Format: Full flagship travel center

Fuel & EV:

• Fuel pumps: 120 fueling positions (standard flagship count)
• Ethanol-free fuel: Expected (specific octanes TBA)
• DEF: Yes
• EV charging: Details TBA

Store Features (expected based on similar Buc-ee’s):

• Signature oversized retail floor
• Wall of Jerky (~40 feet)
• Fresh brisket sandwich station
• Kolaches counter
• Homemade fudge counter
• Beaver Nuggets and Buc-ee’s-branded snacks
• Buc-ee’s Bucks gift cards
• 24-hour operation

Not confirmed:

• Car wash (Buc-ee’s has been adding car washes at newer flagship locations)
• Specific Tesla Supercharger count
• Specific opening date within 2029

The “World’s Largest” Downgrade Story

Here’s a piece of Ocala Buc-ee’s history that fewer people know about:

Ocala was originally supposed to be the world’s largest Buc-ee’s.

The original 2023 announcement planned an 80,000 sq ft store. That would have exceeded every other Buc-ee’s in the network at the time and made Ocala Buc-ee’s the crown jewel of the entire chain.

But then:

• June 10, 2024: Luling, Texas Buc-ee’s reopened at 75,593 sq ft and 120 pumps. Luling took the “world’s largest” title.
• January 20, 2026: Buc-ee’s officially confirmed via Stan Beard (Director of Real Estate) that Luling would remain the world’s largest by their measurement standards. This was in response to speculation about Fort Pierce, Florida taking the title.
• After 2024: Ocala’s plan was quietly scaled back from 80,000 sq ft to 74,000 sq ft, still one of the largest Buc-ee’s in the country, but not the largest.

If you were following this project since 2022-2023 expecting to visit “the world’s largest Buc-ee’s” in Ocala: that’s not what you’ll get. You’ll still get a full flagship 74,000 sq ft store, but Luling (Texas) will remain the world’s largest for the foreseeable future.

The DeSantis Political History

Here’s the Florida-specific detail that makes the Ocala story different from most Buc-ee’s projects: Governor Ron DeSantis has been unusually publicly involved.

February 2023. The Beaver Nuggets Toss: DeSantis attended a Marion County press conference at the Southeastern Livestock Pavilion announcing the Ocala Buc-ee’s project. During the event, he tossed Beaver Nuggets into the crowd as a symbolic gesture.

February 2025. The Interchange Groundbreaking: Two years later, DeSantis personally attended the groundbreaking ceremony for the I-75 interchange project. He tied the project to his broader “Moving Florida Forward Infrastructure Initiative.”

Why does this matter for Ocala Buc-ee’s fans?

• It signals genuine state government commitment to the project
• The Moving Florida Forward funding helps ensure the interchange stays on track
• Political attention increases the likelihood the project actually gets completed rather than getting quietly cancelled

Whether you view DeSantis’ involvement as normal governor politicking or as something more, it explains why every Ocala Buc-ee’s announcement gets treated like a state-level infrastructure event.

Why the Multiple Delays? Honest Analysis

Look, I want to give you the real answer here, not corporate spin. Here’s my honest read on why Ocala has been delayed three times:

Reason 1: Infrastructure is genuinely hard. Building a $100M interchange isn’t like paving a parking lot. It requires design, engineering review, environmental impact studies, funding coordination between FDOT and federal sources, contractor selection, and multi-year construction sequencing. Any slip in any phase pushes the whole project back.

Reason 2: The size ambition (80,000 sq ft) added complexity. Buc-ee’s originally wanted to make Ocala world’s largest. That meant more parking, more pumps, more infrastructure, and more traffic volume to manage. When Luling took the title in 2024, Ocala’s plans had to be re-engineered slightly to the 74,000 sq ft footprint. That’s not a “delay” per se, but it added engineering work.

Reason 3: Florida’s Buc-ee’s expansion queue. Buc-ee’s has FOUR Florida projects in the pipeline (Ocala, Fort Pierce, Tallahassee, Port Charlotte). Company resources are split across all four, plus dozens of other states. Ocala isn’t the top priority: Fort Pierce is expected to open in 2027, Tallahassee in 2027 too. Ocala has to wait its turn.

Reason 4: Not Buc-ee’s fault, mostly FDOT. Buc-ee’s has actually been ready to break ground on their piece of the site multiple times. The delay isn’t in their construction schedule: it’s in the interchange that needs to precede their store. That’s FDOT’s project, not Buc-ee’s.

Bottom line: The 2029 date is realistic. But given the track record of three consecutive delays, don’t be shocked if it slips again to 2030. I would honestly not plan a road trip specifically for the Ocala Buc-ee’s until you see the interchange nearly complete (which would be late 2028 or early 2029).

Where’s the Closest Buc-ee’s to Ocala Right Now?

Look, until 2029 is here, you need somewhere to actually get to. Here are your realistic options:

Option 1: Daytona Beach (I-95 side)

• Distance: ~85 miles east
• Route: Take I-75 South to Florida Turnpike East, exit at Daytona
• Drive time: ~1 hour 45 minutes
• Address: 2330 Gateway North Drive, Daytona Beach, FL 32117
• Opened: March 22, 2021

Option 2: St. Augustine (I-95 north)

• Distance: ~85 miles northeast
• Route: Take I-75 North to I-10 East to I-95 South
• Drive time: ~1 hour 45 minutes
• Address: 200 World Commerce Parkway, St. Augustine, FL 32092
• Opened: February 22, 2021

Both are essentially equidistant from Ocala. If you’re going to make the trip, pair it with a Daytona Beach or St. Augustine day (both are legit tourist destinations).

Longer-term options (coming before 2029):

• Fort Pierce (2027): ~150 miles southeast of Ocala. Not really closer than Daytona/St. Aug for practical purposes.
• Tallahassee (2027): ~180 miles northwest of Ocala. Same issue.

Realistically, Daytona and St. Augustine are your Ocala-area options until 2029.

Buc-ee’s Ocala + Nearby Attractions (Once It Actually Opens)

Here’s the good news about the 2029 opening: when it finally happens, the Ocala Buc-ee’s will be surrounded by some genuinely great attractions. If you’re planning your inevitable 2029 Ocala Buc-ee’s trip, here are the pairings that make sense:

The Equestrian Angle (Ocala is “Horse Capital of the World”):

• World Equestrian Center: ~5 miles from Buc-ee’s site. WEC is one of the largest equestrian venues in the country. Buc-ee’s + WEC show weekend is going to be a real weekend itinerary.

The Nature/Springs Angle:

• Silver Springs State Park: ~8 miles east. Famous glass-bottom boats, natural springs, wildlife.
• Ocala National Forest: ~15 miles east. The southernmost national forest in the U.S.
• Rainbow Springs State Park: ~30 minutes south. Another beautiful Florida spring.

The Family Trip Angle:

• Wild Waters: Water park near Silver Springs.
• Don Garlits Museum of Drag Racing: Auto museum, ~15 miles south.

The Broader Florida Trip Angle:

• Gainesville: 45 minutes north (University of Florida, downtown, football weekends)
• Disney World: 1.5 hours south. Once Buc-ee’s Ocala opens, Ocala becomes a natural fuel/food stop for Disney trips coming down I-75.

Nearest Buc-ee’s to Ocala Area Cities

For anyone in Ocala or nearby cities, here’s the honest distance table:

City	Nearest Buc-ee’s Today	Distance	After 2029 (Ocala)
Ocala	Daytona Beach	~85 mi east	Ocala, in-city
The Villages	Daytona Beach	~75 mi east	Ocala, ~30 mi north
Gainesville	Daytona Beach	~110 mi east	Ocala, ~45 mi south
Leesburg	Daytona Beach	~70 mi east	Ocala, ~55 mi north
Crystal River	Daytona Beach	~110 mi east	Ocala, ~45 mi northeast
Lake City	Daytona Beach	~120 mi southeast	Ocala, ~100 mi south
Tallahassee	Daytona Beach	~220 mi east	Tallahassee (2027), in-city

Ocala Buc-ee’s, when it opens, will fill a real gap on I-75 in central Florida.

What About “Buckeyes Ocala”? (Clearing Up the Confusion)

If you searched “Buckeyes Ocala,” you’re probably conflating two things:

• Buc-ee’s (the Texas-based travel center chain, this article’s subject): coming to Ocala in 2029
• “Buckeye” or “Buckeyes”: a nickname associated with Ohio State University (their fans, plus the buckeye tree/nut), also a candy (buckeye candy), and occasionally used as a business name

There is no significant “Buckeyes” business in Ocala that matches the Buc-ee’s format. If you’re looking for the Buc-ee’s project: that’s what this article covers. It’s coming, it’s just not open yet.

If you’re specifically looking for buckeye candy, Ohio State merch, or another regional business, that’s a different search.

Will Buc-ee’s Actually Open in 2029? My Honest Take

Look, I’m going to be real with you. After three consecutive delays (2025 → 2028 → 2029), the honest answer to “will it actually open in 2029?” is: probably yes, but don’t book anything until you see the interchange nearly done.

Here’s my thinking:

Reasons to believe 2029:

• FDOT has committed to the $100M interchange
• Governor DeSantis personally attended the interchange groundbreaking (political capital committed)
• Marion County officials are still on record supporting the timeline
• Buc-ee’s has publicly confirmed 2029 (they don’t usually do that for projects they think will slip)
• The interchange is already under active construction, not stalled

Reasons to stay cautious:

• Three delays in a row is a real pattern
• FDOT projects have their own timeline risks
• No confirmed specific date within 2029 (just “2029”)
• The interchange is $100M, which is a lot of contractor coordination

My honest suggestion:

• Don’t plan a road trip specifically for the Ocala Buc-ee’s opening until Q3 2028. At that point, you’ll be able to see whether the interchange is on track for 2029 completion. If it is, book your 2029 visit. If it isn’t, wait another year.

The good news: even if it delays to 2030, the project is definitely happening. The interchange is being built. The land is committed. Buc-ee’s isn’t cancelling this: they’re just being slow.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a Buc-ee’s in Ocala?

Not yet. As of July 2026, there is no Buc-ee’s in Ocala, Marion County, or anywhere within an 85-mile radius. The Ocala Buc-ee’s is currently projected to open in 2029.

When will Buc-ee’s Ocala open?

2029, company officials confirmed this to WCJB TV20 in May 2026. The exact date within 2029 has not been announced. Opening is tied to completion of a new I-75 interchange at NW 49th Street that FDOT is building.

What’s the Buc-ee’s Ocala address?

NW 35th Street Road, ~1.75 miles south of W Highway 326, Marion County, FL, just east of Interstate 75. The site is currently undeveloped land, so if you visit today, you’ll see empty acreage.

Where is the Buc-ee’s Ocala location?

The site is in Marion County, Florida, east of I-75 at the future NW 49th Street interchange. About 8 miles north of downtown Ocala, ~5 miles from the World Equestrian Center, and ~8 miles from Silver Springs State Park.

Why has Buc-ee’s Ocala been delayed so many times?

Three main reasons: (1) The project requires a brand-new $100M I-75 interchange that FDOT is building, and that construction has been slower than originally planned. (2) The original 80,000 sq ft “world’s largest” plan was scaled back to 74,000 sq ft after Luling, TX took the title in 2024. (3) Buc-ee’s is prioritizing other Florida projects (Fort Pierce and Tallahassee both opening 2027) ahead of Ocala.

Was Buc-ee’s Ocala supposed to open in 2022?

No, but the project was announced in February 2023, and many people started searching for opening dates as early as 2022 due to early rumors. The original target was 2025, not 2022. If you’ve been searching since 2022, unfortunately you’ve been waiting 4+ years now.

How big will Buc-ee’s Ocala be?

74,000 sq ft, was originally planned at 80,000 sq ft (world’s largest), but downgraded after Luling, Texas opened at 75,593 sq ft in June 2024. Even at 74,000 sq ft, Ocala will be one of the largest Buc-ee’s in the country.

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

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

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

Two options at roughly equal distance:

• Daytona Beach: ~85 miles east (1h 45min via I-75 South and Florida Turnpike East)
• St. Augustine: ~85 miles northeast (1h 45min via I-75 North to I-10 East to I-95)

How far will Ocala Buc-ee’s be from Disney World?

~1.5 hours south via I-75 to Florida Turnpike. Once it opens in 2029, Ocala Buc-ee’s will become a natural fuel/food stop for Disney World trips coming down I-75.

How far is Ocala Buc-ee’s from Gainesville?

~45 miles south of Gainesville. When it opens in 2029, it’ll be the closest Buc-ee’s to the Gainesville metro (Daytona is currently 110 miles away).

Will Ocala Buc-ee’s be the world’s largest?

No, not anymore. Original plans were for 80,000 sq ft (which would have been world’s largest). After Luling, Texas reopened at 75,593 sq ft in June 2024, Buc-ee’s officially confirmed Luling would remain the world’s largest. Ocala’s plan was scaled back to 74,000 sq ft.

Why is a new I-75 interchange needed for Buc-ee’s Ocala?

Because a 74,000 sq ft travel center with 120 pumps and 750 parking spaces generates thousands of vehicles per day, and the existing I-75 exits nearby can’t handle that traffic volume. FDOT is building a diverging diamond interchange at NW 49th Street specifically to provide direct access to the store.

How much does the I-75 interchange cost?

Nearly $100 million. The interchange is being built by FDOT as part of Governor DeSantis’ “Moving Florida Forward Infrastructure Initiative.” Groundbreaking was in February 2025.

Will Buc-ee’s Ocala have a car wash?

Not confirmed yet. Newer Buc-ee’s flagships typically include car washes, but Ocala’s specific amenity list hasn’t been officially released.

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

No. Buc-ee’s has never allowed 18-wheelers at any of its travel centers, and Ocala will follow the same policy. Parking lots and driveways are designed for passenger vehicles only.

Will Buc-ee’s Ocala be open 24 hours?

Yes. When it opens, it will be open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, the same policy as every other Buc-ee’s.

What was the original Buc-ee’s Ocala opening date?

2025. The project was announced in February 2023 with a 2025 target. It was then delayed to 2028, and now sits at 2029.

The Bottom Line

Look, I know this isn’t what you wanted to hear. If you’ve been waiting for Buc-ee’s to come to Ocala since 2022 (and honestly, if you’ve been waiting that long, I’m impressed with your patience), the answer is still “not yet.” 2029 is the current realistic target, and even that comes with a “believe it when you see it” caveat given the three previous delays.

My honest suggestions for Ocala residents and Buc-ee’s fans:

• Don’t obsess over the date. Check back in Q3 2028 to see if the interchange is on track. If it is, book your 2029 visit. If not, wait.
• In the meantime, plan a Daytona or St. Augustine day trip. Both are 85 miles away, both are legit Florida destinations. Pair the Buc-ee’s stop with the beach or historic district.
• Watch FDOT progress on the I-75 interchange. That’s your leading indicator. If FDOT hits their construction milestones, Buc-ee’s opens on schedule. If FDOT slips, Buc-ee’s slips.
• When Fort Pierce opens in 2027, that’s your first sign the Florida Buc-ee’s pipeline is really moving. If Fort Pierce actually opens on time, be more optimistic about Ocala 2029.

Three things I’ll be watching closely from July 2026 forward:

1. I-75 interchange construction progress: visible highway work is your leading indicator
2. Buc-ee’s site clearing at NW 35th Street: when actual construction equipment shows up on the Buc-ee’s parcel itself, opening is 18 months away
3. Any 2030 or “delayed” news: if the target slips past 2029, you’ll hear about it here first

I update this page every time a major milestone shifts. If you spot local news I’ve missed (especially about FDOT interchange progress or actual Buc-ee’s site work), drop a note through the contact Page.

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