Buc-ee's Stafford, Virginia - Coming 2028

Virginia's Third Buc-ee's Proposed for Stafford County

Stafford County could soon welcome Virginia's third Buc-ee's! The Texas-based travel center chain has submitted plans for a massive location near Interstate 95 and Courthouse Road, which would become the northernmost Buc-ee's in Virginia and the closest to the Washington, D.C. metro area. The store could open as early as 2028 if approvals proceed smoothly.

Location

The proposed Buc-ee's would be located near the intersection of Courthouse Road (Route 630) and Austin Ridge Drive, just east of I-95 Exit 140 in Stafford County. The 35-acre site is currently vacant land in the northwest quadrant of the I-95 and Courthouse Road interchange.

Store Specifications

• 74,000 square feet of retail space

• 120 fueling positions

• 833 parking spaces

• 24 future EV charging stations

• Full range of Buc-ee's favorites including Texas BBQ, Beaver Nuggets, baked goods, clothing, and gifts

• Famous clean restrooms

Approval Process

The project is currently in the zoning and permitting phase. Buc-ee's has submitted a conditional use permit (CUP) application and a request for zoning reclassification to B-1 (Convenience Commercial District). The Stafford County Planning Commission has been reviewing the proposal, including a traffic impact analysis that drew significant scrutiny from the Virginia Department of Transportation.

Community Input

The proposal has generated strong opinions from Stafford County residents. While many are excited about the economic benefits, nearby residents have raised concerns about traffic congestion, noise, and quality-of-life impacts. The planning commission deferred the initial vote to allow for additional review of these concerns.

Timeline

Once zoning approval is granted, Buc-ee's typically takes 18 to 24 months to construct a travel center. Given the ongoing approval process, the earliest realistic opening would be around 2028.

Economic Impact

Based on similar Buc-ee's developments, the Stafford store is expected to bring:
200+ full-time positions with competitive wages
Full benefits package for employees
Significant sales tax revenue for Stafford County

What This Means for Northern Virginia

If approved, Stafford would become Virginia's third Buc-ee's, joining the open Mount Crawford location on I-81 and the planned New Kent location on I-64. The Stafford location on I-95 would serve the massive volume of traffic on the East Coast's busiest north-south corridor, providing a quality pit stop for travelers heading between Washington, D.C. and destinations south.