OHIO - The arrival of the iconic Texas-based travel center, Buc-ee's, in Ohio has been a highly anticipated event, and fans in the Buckeye State now have an updated timeline. The first-ever Buc-ee's in Ohio, planned for Huber Heights, is now projected to open in April 2026. This marks a delay from the originally anticipated opening in late 2025, due to a few project hurdles.
The Buc-ee's Phenomenon: What to Expect
For those unfamiliar, Buc-ee's is renowned for offering a travel center experience unlike any other:
- Massive Scale: The Huber Heights location is planned to be a sprawling 74,000-square-foot store.
- Fueling Stations: A remarkable 100 to 120 gas pumps are typical, ensuring minimal wait times, alongside 24 EV charging stations.
- "World's Cleanest Restrooms": A hallmark of the Buc-ee's brand.
- Signature Food Offerings: Freshly prepared Texas barbecue (especially brisket), homemade fudge, kolaches, the famous Beaver Nuggets (a sweet corn puff snack), extensive jerky selections, and fresh pastries.
- Vast Retail Space: Beyond food, Buc-ee's offers thousands of snack, meal, and drink options, unique gifts, apparel featuring the beaver mascot, and home goods.
- 24/7 Operation: Buc-ee's locations are open around the clock, every day of the year.
- Job Creation: The Huber Heights store is expected to bring at least 200 full-time jobs to the area, with competitive starting pay and benefits.
Huber Heights Gets the Nod: Location Details
The first Ohio Buc-ee's will be strategically located in Huber Heights, north of Dayton, at the northeast corner of the Interstate 70 and Ohio State Route 235 interchange. The specific address cited is often 8000 State Highway 235. This makes it a convenient stop for travelers on the I-70 corridor between Columbus and Indianapolis.
Navigating Delays to a Spring 2026 Opening:
The project, which broke ground in August 2024, initially aimed for a late 2025 opening. However, a few "early project hiccups" led to the revised Spring 2026 target.
- Utility Relocations: Delays were partly attributed to the need to relocate power utilities, with redesigns and material lead times adding to the schedule.
- Water and Sewer Services Dispute: Construction was also temporarily halted in November 2024 due to an ongoing legal dispute between the City of Huber Heights and Clark County over which entity would provide sewer and water services to the site. This litigation lasted over a year before an agreement was reached in December 2024/January 2025, allowing construction to resume.
- Roadwork: To accommodate the anticipated increase in traffic, the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) has scheduled ramp and thoroughfare upgrades near the Buc-ee's site, including the temporary closure of the I-70 westbound exit ramp to SR 235 in May 2025 for some of this work.
What This Means for Ohio:
The arrival of Buc-ee's is a significant development for Ohio. It represents a major economic investment, substantial job creation, and the introduction a unique and highly popular travel center brand to the state. Residents and travelers alike eagerly await the chance to experience the "world's cleanest restrooms," sample the famous brisket and Beaver Nuggets, and explore everything the massive store offers.
While the wait has been extended slightly, the path is more straightforward for Ohio's first Buc-ee's in Huber Heights, with an April 2026 opening now anticipated. As construction progresses and infrastructure improvements are made, the excitement for the arrival of the beloved beaver-branded travel center in the Buckeye State will undoubtedly continue to build. Ohioans and I-70 travelers can soon look forward to experiencing the Buc-ee's phenomenon for themselves.
