Buc-ee’s fans are serious about their snacks, spotless restrooms, and beaver merch. But not every state is likely to get one of these roadside icons. Expansion rumors come and go, but some places just don’t make the cut for a variety of reasons—logistics, politics, or plain geography. For Buc-ee’s hopefuls in these eight states, the dream might stay a road trip away. This rundown of states that won’t get a Buc-ee’s explains why some regions are stuck watching from the sidelines.
Vermont
Buc-ee’s is all about cars, crowds, and convenience—and Vermont is…not. With a population that barely nudges half a million and a love for mom-and-pop everything, this rural state has no appetite for chains. Burlington, the biggest city, only boasts around 45,000 people. Plus, it doesn’t even have a Chick-fil-A or a Waffle House. Let’s face it—Buc-ee’s wouldn’t survive five minutes without a farmer’s market and a maple syrup section.
Alaska
Unless Buc-ee’s starts installing gas pumps on cruise ships, Alaska’s out. This massive, beautiful state is a road tripper’s dream—if you can survive the wilderness, unpredictable weather, and 10-hour drives between towns. But Buc-ee’s thrives on highways buzzing with traffic, and up here, tourists float in on boats while the locals mostly stick to tight-knit communities. It’s not personal—it’s just geography.
Idaho
Boise may be booming, but it’s still not Buc-ee’s territory. Idaho’s wide-open spaces and sparse cities don’t lend themselves to a mega travel center that depends on endless streams of cars and snacks flying off the shelves. Plus, most park-bound tourists cruise in from the east, not the west where Boise sits. Sorry Idaho—you’ve got potatoes, but not enough people.
Hawaii
A road tripper’s paradise? Not quite. Hawaii’s stunning views and laid-back vibes are legendary, but the islands are just too small and isolated for Buc-ee’s big energy. Shipping in Beaver Nuggets and 120 gas pumps sounds like a logistics nightmare—and there aren’t any cross-country drives to make it worthwhile. Love you, Hawaii, but Buc-ee’s is staying stateside.
Maine
Maine might be lobster-roll royalty, but it’s not on Buc-ee’s radar. With Portland clocking in under 70,000 residents and the rest of the state largely rural, there’s just not enough hustle and bustle to keep Buc-ee’s humming. And while Canadian traffic is cute, it’s no match for Southern interstate road warriors. Besides, Mainers prefer flannel and quiet roads—not beef jerky palaces.
North Dakota
Yes, North Dakota has oil. No, that doesn’t mean it’s getting a Buc-ee’s. What it lacks in population and tourist traps, it makes up for in wide-open highways and…well, more oil. But Buc-ee’s needs more than industry—it needs road-tripping families, snack-happy teens, and selfie-takers by the beaver mascot. For that, the chain might look a little further south—hello, Mount Rushmore!
Rhode Island
The smallest state might be mighty in charm, but it’s no match for Buc-ee’s mega-store blueprint. With real estate prices that’ll make even Texas billionaires wince and traffic patterns that favor Massachusetts, there’s just no good spot for those 120 gas pumps. Plus, Providence doesn’t quite bring the heat Buc-ee’s needs. Keep your clam cakes, Rhode Island—this beaver’s skipping you.
New Jersey
On paper, New Jersey looks like a slam dunk for Buc-ee’s—dense population, endless traffic, major interstates galore. But there’s one big, greasy wrench: state law won’t let you pump your own gas. That’s 60 extra employees Buc-ee’s would need to staff those glorious rows of pumps, and even at $18 an hour, the math just doesn’t add up. Unless Jersey changes its ways, this gas-and-goodies giant isn’t crossing the state line.
