An Upcoming Florida Buc-ee's Has Crossed One More Hurdle Toward Beginning Construction

Photo byGabriel TovaronUnsplash

If you've never been to or seen pictures of a Buc-ee's, it may be hard to understand why Florida Governor Ron DeSantis would hold a press conference at a gas station. But some would argue that Buc-ee's are no ordinary gas station. And St. Lucie County is reportedly one step closer to beginning construction on Florida's fourth store.

How Did We Get Here?: In early 2024, I wrote about St. Lucie County officials having a pre-application meeting for a “travel center/fueling station." That fueled speculation that a Buc-ee's might be on its way to Fort Pierce.

Later, WPBF reported that Commissioner Cathy Townsend, chair of the Board of County Commissioners, confirmed that Buc-ee's would submit a site plan later that week.

And now, that Buc-ee's, which is planned for Indrio Road and I-95, has obtained permission to change the county's sign rules to allow Buc-ee's to build a 100-foot-tall sign.

Buc-ee's Director of Real Estate and Development, Stan Beard, said in a statement, in part:

“...The vote...allows us to move forward with specific plan approvals required for project commencement."

The Buc-ee's would include an 80,000-square-foot travel center, 120 fuel pumps, and around 720 parking spots.

What Do Floridians Love About Buc-ee's Anyway?: Buc-ee's are notable for their size, their food offerings, and their cleanliness. Many Buc-ee's are as big as a supercenter, and many patrons rave about Buc-ee's food. Probably the best-known food item at Buc-ee's are the nuggets, which are sweet corn morsels, but fudge and beef jerky are also popular choices.

Many reviewers mention clean bathrooms which is a hallmark of the store.

Floridians at the Daytona Beach location give Buc-ee's 4 out of 5 stars on TripAdvisor. Many mentioned the food. A reviewer with the handle larilu wrote, in part:

"You (gotta) see it to believe it, Buc-ee’s Daytona Beach is a must-see. All the hype is true. This place is amazing, as well as very very busy and very very large! Gas station food at its best. On this visit, I tried Bucee’s BBQ brisket sandwich, sliced turkey sandwich, and banana pudding and all were very good, However, the brisket sandwich is the clear winner. Great coffee too - along with an incredible selection of beef jerky..."

Florida has two Buc-ee's - in Daytona Beach and St. Augustine. In addition to the St. Lucie County location, there is another planned in Ocala.

The author is not affiliated with Buc-ee's or any other gas stations.