NEW JERSEY - The buzz is palpable across the Garden State. From viral social media posts to massive new billboards popping up along the Turnpike, the question on every road-tripper's mind is the same: "Will New Jersey finally get a Buc-ee's?" The Texas-based travel center giant, famous for its spotless restrooms, hundreds of gas pumps, and addictive Beaver Nuggets, has been on a rapid expansion tear up the East Coast. But for New Jersey, the answer is complicated, and it all comes down to a unique state law.
The Main Obstacle: New Jersey's Self-Service Gas Law
As of 2025, Buc-ee's has no official plans to open a location in New Jersey, primarily due to the state's long-standing ban on self-service gasoline. New Jersey is the last state in the nation where it is illegal for customers to pump their own gas.
According to Buc-ee's spokesperson Jeff Nadalo, the company's business model relies on a massive footprint, which includes over 100 fueling positions at each store. "If we went to New Jersey, we would have to man each of those fueling positions, and we just don't have enough employees to dispense fuel at each spot," Nadalo has stated. The logistics and staffing costs of operating a 120-pump, full-service gas station 24/7 are currently a non-starter for the company.
So, What About Those Billboards?
Travelers on the New Jersey Turnpike have recently spotted large Buc-ee's billboards with humorous messages like "Closest Buc-ee's, 581 Miles South." While these signs have fueled speculation, company representatives have confirmed they are a savvy marketing tactic, not a sign of an impending opening. The goal is to build brand awareness among the millions of New Jersey residents who travel south for vacations, encouraging them to make Buc-ee's a planned stop on their journey.
Where Buc-ee's Is Expanding Instead
While the Garden State waits, Buc-ee's is getting closer. The company's northward expansion includes several key locations:
- Virginia: The first Virginia Buc-ee's is set to open in Rockingham County in mid-2025, which will become the closest location for New Jersey residents.
- Ohio: A location is currently under construction in Huber Heights.
- Other new stores are planned or have recently opened in states like Mississippi, North Carolina, and Tennessee.
So, will New Jersey get a Buc-ee's? The answer for now is a definitive no. As long as the state's self-service gas ban remains in effect, the company's business model makes a New Jersey location logistically and financially unfeasible. While the billboards are a fun tease, for now, Garden State residents will have to continue their journey south to get their fix of brisket sandwiches and Beaver Nuggets.
Sources:
- Buc-ee's Official Website
- News 12 New Jersey
- NJ.com / The Asbury Park Press
- WPG Talk Radio & 105.7 The Hawk Radio
- Local news reports on Buc-ee's expansion in VA and OH
