TRAVEL
Planning a Florida road trip? Add Buc-ee’s to the intinerary
Kendall LittleFort Myers News-Press & Naples Daily News
July 21, 2026, 5:03 a.m. ET
- Buc-ee’s is a popular mega-travel center known for its clean restrooms, numerous gas pumps, and extensive store.
- The chain offers a wide variety of food, including smoked brisket, jerky, baked goods, and its signature Beaver Nuggets snack.
- In addition to food, Buc-ee’s sells a vast array of merchandise featuring its beaver mascot, Buc-ee.
- The travel stops are large, often between 50,000 and 75,000 square feet, and have become a destination for road-trippers.
For generations of Florida families, summer road trips have included the usual staples: snacks, bathroom breaks and a playlist for the long drive. In recent years, many travelers have added another tradition to the list: a stop at Buc-ee’s. If you haven’t heard of it, allow me to introduce you to the Disney World of travel stops
For those unfamiliar, this beaver-branded mega-travel center is a holiday road trip rite of passage. If you’re heading toward North Florida or Texas, you’ll know you’re getting close when highway billboards start featuring a famous, very enthusiastic beaver. Buc-ee, the mascot of the popular chain, rules over his travel stop kingdom known for spotless bathrooms, endless gas pumps, and a huge store stocked with snacks, brisket, merch and just about everything you didn’t know you needed
There’s a lot to take in when you walk into Buc-ee’s but consider this your guide to navigating the culinary chaos. As soon as you walk through the doors, you’ll smell a combination of sugar-coated pecans and freshly smoked brisket. And here’s a spoiler: Both are must-tries
If you can imagine it, Buc-ee’s probably has it. More than 10 flavors of beef jerky? Got it. Freshly-made fudge? Yup. Fast food style chicken and fries? Absolutely
Looking to stop at Buc-ee’s for the first time this summer? Here’s a first-timer’s guide to the best gas station ever
Behind the Buc-ee’s hype
Buc-ee’s gained popularity because it solved a problem road-trippers didn’t know they had: most highway stops are mediocre at best. Instead of just being an ordinary gas station, Buc-ee’s turned the pit stop experience into an attraction people would travel for
The original draw to Buc-ee’s was its exceptionally clean restrooms. Though clean bathrooms are still central to its brand, the travel stop has evolved into something even bigger. And I mean that literally. Many locations are between 50,000 and 75,000 square feet with endless rows of fuel pumps. Walking into Buc-ee’s feels like entering a road trip theme park ― if the theme was over-the-top beavers
Buc-ee’s puts its mascot’s face on nearly every product you can think of. Want a trucker hat with Buc-ee on it? You’re in luck. How about a baby onesie with Buc-ee’s head on it? You can buy one. Can you get a new swimsuit for the summer covered in the Buc-ee’s logo? Duh
Buc-ee’s also offers something most gas stations don’t: awesome food. Instead of gas station hot dogs, travelers can enjoy fresh smoked brisket, jerky, roasted nuts, chicken sandwiches, and so much more
What kind of hot food does Buc-ee’s have?
Buc-ee’s is best known for its smoked meats. You can actually watch employees prepare the meat right in front of you, ensuring it’s fresh. I’ve tried the chopped brisket sandwich and a pulled pork sandwich and both are delicious and perfect to grab on your way back to your car. There’s also a club melt (ham, turkey, cheese, spicy mayo, and sundried tomato pesto sauce) and a fried chicken sandwich if smoked meat isn’t your thing
There’s a section for chicken and fries that’s perfect for kids. Everything is packaged in a fast food style box for easy transport. If you’re in the mood for Mexican, Buc-ee’s offers burritos and tacos as well
My go-to sandwich is the Buc-ee’s friend chicken sandwich, which features a crispy chicken breast and a tangy honey mustard-style sauce that rivals Raising Cane’s on a soft bun
What kind of snacks does Buc-ee’s have?
Snacks is an area that Buc-ee’s shines in. There’s pretty much a Buc-ee’s branded version of every snack you can think of, from beef jerky to Pirate’s Booty to Funyuns. If the amount of beef jerky flavors overwhelms you, start with the lemon pepper or teriyaki
I’d argue the most iconic Buc-ee’s snack would be Beaver Nuggets, which is a bag of sweet caramel-coated corn puffs. Think of the texture like a mix between corn cereal and a cheese puff, but with the flavor of caramel and cinnamon glaze. Beaver Nuggets are so good that Buc-ee’s couldn’t limit the aroma to just food. When I drove back to Naples after Thanksgiving last year, I picked up a candle scented like Beaver Nuggets. Totally worth it
What desserts does Buc-ee’s have?
There’s plenty of treats to satisfy your sweet tooth at Buc-ee’s
Do yourself a favor and pick up a cone of glazed pecans. I think they’re the perfect road trip snack, mixing sweetness, saltiness, and nuttiness. Plus, as soon a you walk into Buc-ee’s you’ll smell them and crave them like I do
Banana pudding cups are often overlooked, but don’t sleep on them. There’s large and small sizes to choose from, depending on if you want to share or not
Make sure to visit the fudge counter and get a few pieces of whatever looks interesting to you. I’d recommend the butter pecan or rocky road, but any choice is a good one
There’s also an entire bakery section with baked goods like cookies, cinnamon rolls, cake and whoopie pies
Wonderfully-wacky finds at Buc-ee’s
I’ll be honest, Buc-ee’s can be a weird place. Everything is beaver-branded, including swim suits, slippers and a ton of canned goods
Did you forget your pickled quail eggs at home? Don’t fret, Buc-ee’s has it. How about a signature brisket rub? Grab one with a beaver on it. Need to spray before you go? Buc-ee’s has Beaver Nugget-scented Poo-Pourri
One of my favorite things to do inside a Buc-ee’s is browse all the beaver-themed isles and find the strangest items. It’s a great way to stretch your legs during a road trip
If you pick up a weird Buc-ee’s item, feel free to shoot me and email and send a photo!
What’s the best time to visit Buc-ee’s?
Travelers looking to experience Buc-ee’s without the crowds should aim for a weekday morning stop or a late-night run. Arriving before 10 a.m. means easier parking, shorter lines and fresh breakfast food items
My favorite time to hit up a Buc-ee’s is after 9 p.m. Most travelers have already arrived at their destinations, so it’s quiet inside
Buc-ee’s is the busiest on summer and holiday weekends and lunch hours. Prepare for crowds, lines, and busy bathrooms if you decide to go during those times
Where are the closest Buc-ee’s locations?
Until Buc-ee’s opens in Port Charlotte, Naples-area travelers looking for Beaver Nuggets and brisket sandwiches will need to head to Daytona Beach or St. Augustine
The Daytona Beach location is generally easier to reach from Naples, as its about 175-245 miles away depending on where you start. However, if you’re traveling to Jacksonville, Georgia, the Carolinas, or the Northeast, the St. Augustine location is convenient
- Buc-ee’s Daytona Beach: 2330 Gateway North Drive, Daytona Beach; 979-238-6390
- Buc-ee’s St. Augustine: 200 World Commerce Parkway, St. Augustine; 979-238-6390
There’s more than 60 Buc-ee’s locations across the country. Use the store locator feature online at https://buc-ees.com/locations/ to find one along your summer travel route
Kendall Little is the food & dining reporter for Naples Daily News. Questions, comments, or tips? Email Kendall.Little@NaplesNews.com
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