The next Georgia Buc-ee’s location will be in Monroe County. The county commissioners approved a special use permit and variances for the project in December 2024. The company plans to build its fourth Peach State location off I-75 and Rumble Road / exit 181.
Buc-ee’s Monroe County
News first broke in October that Buc-ee’s was considering Rumble Road for a new location. Monroe County commissioners considered the request on Monday, December 2. A standing room only crowd left many out in the hallway because of max occupancy requirements in the meeting room.
The site in question — about 30 acres at the northwest corner of the I-75 exit — had existing commercial zoning. The company needed a special use permit and variances because of the store size, wall signage square footage and pylon height.
The county commissioners approved each item following a 90-minute public hearing which functioned more like a question & answer session. Residents would raise a question or concern, then Buc-ee’s representatives would answer it.
A construction timeline or estimated opening date was not shared during Monday’s meeting. Construction of other similar-sized stores has taken about 18 months once work begins. The company will have to finalize permitting both with Monroe County and Georgia DOT as well.
(Buc-ee’s image / Clayton Carte photo)
Traffic Improvements
A top concern on many residents’ minds was traffic congestion. Buc-ee’s committed to upgrade the roads before they open the new store. Their representatives shared they plan to invest about $10 million into the local roads. This includes the following:
- widen Rumble Road between I-75 and the new store,
- widen the I-75 on / off-ramps,
- add signals at the I-75 ramps, and
- build a new roundabout as the main store entrance.
The plan right now will expand the Rumble Road bridge over I-75 from three to four lanes. Monroe County commissioners added a condition requiring the road projects be complete before Buc-ee’s receives their certificate of occupancy.
Support & Opposition
Supporters of the project spoke about the jobs created, tax revenue and Buc-ee’s positive reputation. Estimates are the store could generate about one million dollars per 1% local sales tax in additional revenue for Monroe County annually. This would be $4 million in annual local sales tax, based on the county’s current sales tax rate. Property taxes will also contribute. Opponents spoke about traffic congestion, both on I-75 and Rumble Road, and the impact on local businesses. By a show of hands, the room was about half opposed and half in support.
What is Buc-ee’s?
Buc-ee’s locations are known for their large stores, clean restrooms and brisket sandwiches. In addition, they offer a variety of clothing apparel, home goods and signature snacks. The stores are open 24 / 7 / 365 days a year. Their beaver mascot is prominent on merchandise and throughout the store.
The company offers starting wages of $17-20 per hour, plus benefits. Each new store creates over 200 full-time jobs. Buc-ee’s founded in 1982 near Houston, Texas. They opened their first location outside the Lone Star State in 2019. The first Buc-ee’s in Georgia opened in 2020.
The Monroe County location will measure 74,000 square feet. This is larger than existing locations in Calhoun and Warner Robins. It will be similar to an under-construction store in Brunswick. The coastal Georgia Buc-ee’s is slated to open in June 2025. The new larger stores better accommodate the crowd sizes, according to the company. Lastly, each store has 120 fuel pumps.
MHF News is reasonably certain Monroe County and Warner Robins will be the two closest locations outside of Texas. The sites are about 30 minutes, or 31 miles apart. Visitors to the Warner Robins location can attest to its extreme busyness, especially on weekends. The Monroe County location can offer an alternative after it opens.
Nationwide Expansion
Robertsdale, AL, near Gulf Shores, was the first Buc-ee’s outside of Texas. It opened in January 2019. The company has quickly expanded since then. There are presently 15 locations outside of their home state, according to their website. These stores are in eight states mostly in the southeast.
Nine additional new states are on the horizon. Twenty-six new stores are reportedly either under construction or planned. That’s according to Scott Lyttle’s Buc-ee’s locations map. Lyttle compiles local news reports to update his map.
Featured image shows a Google satellite image of I-75 and Rumble Road, and the future Buc-ee’s pylon. Google satellite image / Buc-ee’s pylon.
