Buc-ee’s Benton AR: Address, Maps, Phone & Menu Info

Buc-ee’s Benton opens Monday, August 17, 2026, at 6 a.m. CDT, at 1400 Highway 229, Benton, AR, just off Exit 114 on Interstate 30. The new travel center covers 75,000 square feet, features 120 gas pumps, and is expected to create 250 jobs. More importantly, this is the first Buc-ee’s in the entire state of Arkansas the result of nearly three years of planning, anticipation, and construction. What began with a land rumor later turned into a surprise announcement at a high school football game, followed by a rain-delayed groundbreaking. Now, the long-awaited project is reaching its biggest milestone with its grand opening in Saline County.

Saline County Judge Matt Brumley captured the community’s anticipation earlier this year while touring the nearly completed building. His daughter kept asking him, “Dad, how much longer?” Monday, August 17, is the answer.

What’s Opening: The Fast Facts

Detail	Information
Opening Date	Monday, August 17, 2026
Doors Open	6:00 a.m. CDT
Ribbon Cutting	10:00 a.m. CDT
Address	1400 Highway 229, Benton, AR 72015
Highway	Exit 114, Interstate 30
Store Size	75,000 sq ft
Gas Pumps	120 fueling positions
Parking	~750 spots
Jobs Created	250+ full-time positions
Hours	24/7, 365 days a year
Expected Annual Visitors	5 million
Second AR Location	West Memphis (planned, no date confirmed)

See It for Yourself — The Beaver Is Almost Here

For months, people across Arkansas have watched the Buc-ee’s Benton project take shape. What was once an empty site is now close to becoming the state’s first Buc-ee’s, and recent ground footage gives a clear look at how close the opening really is.

 Watch on Facebook — Buc-ee’s Benton close to opening: Buc-ee’s in Benton close to opening its doors — officials say grand opening is coming soon

 YouTube Shorts — Construction update:

Buc-ee’s first Arkansas location coming soon

The footage shows the large fuel canopy taking shape for the future 120-pump fueling area, along with the familiar yellow-and-black Buc-ee’s branding and a parking area that is quickly coming together. Seeing all of these pieces in place makes it easy to understand why Benton residents have been eagerly waiting for opening day. This is more than another new store for Central Arkansas it marks the arrival of a travel center that people in the region have been anticipating for years.

Bringing Buc-ee’s to Arkansas was a process that unfolded over several years. The project involved a multimillion-dollar property purchase, months of speculation, a delayed groundbreaking, and a memorable public announcement that turned a long-running rumor into official news.

July 2023 — The Rumor Starts

The first clues appeared in the summer of 2023, when a land purchase near the Haskell exit on Interstate 30 began attracting attention. In July 2023, the Benton Advertising and Promotion Commission approved the purchase of property in the area. Not long afterward, CSMS Management LLC, a Pearland, Texas-based real estate subsidiary of Buc-ee’s, quietly purchased the land. At the time, Buc-ee’s did not publicly confirm what it planned to do with the property, and Benton officials remained quiet as well.

Still, the pieces seemed to fit. The property had been secured, the Interstate 30 location offered strong highway access, and residents throughout Central Arkansas began wondering whether the famous beaver was finally heading to Arkansas.

April 2024 — Signs Point to Yes

More clues appeared in April 2024. Benton’s planning commission approved the site plan and utilities for a gas station, with Buc-ee’s representatives reportedly present at the meeting. Around the same time, the City Council approved a traffic signal for the future entrance.

There was also a telling detail about the entrance itself: it would be named Buc-ee’s Boulevard.

The company still had not made its major public announcement, but the signs were becoming increasingly difficult to miss. For Benton residents, it was becoming clear that the long-running Buc-ee’s speculation was turning into a real project.

August 31, 2024 — The Salt Bowl Reveal

The official announcement came during one of Benton’s biggest annual community events. The Salt Bowl, the yearly high school football rivalry between Benton and Bryant, takes place at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock and draws thousands of fans. On August 31, 2024, the crowd received an unexpected surprise before kickoff.

The stadium lights went dark, and a video featuring Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders appeared on the screen. She officially announced that Buc-ee’s was coming to Arkansas and that Saline County would be home to the state’s first location.

She said:

“It’s been rumored for months, but it’s time to make it official. Buc-ee’s is coming to Arkansas, and Saline County, right in the heart of our state, will be its home.”

The announcement was followed by another surprise: Buc-ee the beaver mascot came onto the field. The crowd immediately erupted in celebration. That evening, the City of Benton shared the news on Facebook, celebrating the community’s selection for Arkansas’s first Buc-ee’s and expressing excitement for construction to begin. After more than a year of rumors and speculation, the project was finally official.

April 16, 2025 — The Biggest Groundbreaking in Buc-ee’s History

The next major milestone was the groundbreaking ceremony. It had initially been planned for February 19, 2025, but heavy rain forced officials to postpone the event. The ceremony eventually took place on April 16, 2025, bringing Buc-ee’s leadership, state officials, and local residents together in Benton.

Buc-ee’s co-founder Arch “Beaver” Aplin III described the event as the biggest groundbreaking in Buc-ee’s history. Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders and local officials also attended as construction officially got underway.

For Benton residents who had first heard the Buc-ee’s rumors back in July 2023, the groundbreaking made the project tangible. After years of speculation, the first Buc-ee’s in Arkansas was finally moving from plans to construction.

February 2026 — Officials Walk the Floor

By February 2026, construction had progressed enough for Saline County Judge Matt Brumley and City of Benton officials to tour the unfinished 75,000-square-foot Buc-ee’s building. After seeing the project up close, Brumley shared a simple comment that reflected just how closely the community had been following the development:

“I take my daughter to school and she asks dad, how much longer?”

The comment captured the anticipation surrounding the opening in a way that statistics and projected economic figures cannot. For people in Saline County, Buc-ee’s had become more than another construction project. It had become something local families were actively waiting to see open.

May 13, 2026 — The Date Is Confirmed

For months, the expected opening had been described only as early to mid-August. That changed on May 13, when the official opening date was announced as August 17, 2026. Buc-ee’s Benton was scheduled to open its doors at 6 a.m., followed by a 10 a.m. ribbon-cutting ceremony. Local officials were preparing for a large crowd as the community reached a milestone that had been building for almost two years.

July 7–9, 2026 — Mass Hiring Event

Just weeks before opening day, Buc-ee’s began building its Benton team. From July 7 through July 9, the company hosted a three-day hiring event at Embassy Suites, 11301 Financial Centre Parkway in Little Rock.

The event ran from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day, with Buc-ee’s looking to hire 250 full-time employees for the new location. The positions came with competitive starting pay, employee benefits, a 6% 401(k) match, and three weeks of paid vacation. With construction nearing completion, Arkansas’s first Buc-ee’s was also preparing to become a major new employer in the area.

Why Benton? The Location Makes Perfect Sense

The location becomes easier to understand when you look at how Interstate 30 runs through Arkansas. I-30 connects Little Rock, the state capital about 20 miles northeast of Benton, with Hot Springs, a major Arkansas tourist destination roughly 30 miles southwest. The highway is an important travel route, making the Benton area a natural stopping point for people moving through Central Arkansas.

Buc-ee’s is positioned at Exit 114, where Interstate 30 meets Highway 229, creating an important access point between Benton and Haskell. From this location:

• Little Rock is about 20 minutes to the northeast.
• Hot Springs is roughly 30 minutes to the southwest.
• Bryant, Benton’s neighboring city with a population of more than 30,000, is about 5 miles away.
• I-30 provides a major travel route stretching from the Dallas-Fort Worth area toward Memphis.

The location gives Buc-ee’s access to both local customers and highway travelers passing through the region.

Governor Sanders projected that the new travel center could attract 5 million visitors each year. Bill Eldridge, chairman of the city’s Advertising and Promotion Commission, also emphasized the economic benefit of bringing visitors into Saline County, noting that spending from travelers can benefit the local economy even when those visitors live elsewhere.

That outside traffic is a major part of the Buc-ee’s model—and Benton’s location along I-30 puts the new store directly in the path of those travelers.

Buc-ee’s locations are known for offering a familiar mix of food, shopping, clean facilities, and large-scale fueling, and the Benton store will follow that same format. At 75,000 square feet, it will also rank among the larger Buc-ee’s travel centers in the chain.

Food

Texas BBQ (11:30 a.m. – midnight): The BBQ counter will serve fresh-smoked brisket, available chopped or sliced and served on a soft bun with Buc-ee’s signature sauce. The brisket bar is one of the main food attractions at Buc-ee’s locations, making it one of the first things many road-trippers look for when they stop.

Breakfast (4 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.): Early-morning travelers can choose from kolaches, a Czech-Texan pastry that has become a Buc-ee’s favorite. Options include savory varieties such as sausage, jalapeño, and cheese, along with sweet flavors like cherry, cream cheese, and strawberry. Fresh pastries, biscuit sandwiches, and other hot breakfast choices will make Benton a convenient stop even for travelers hitting the road before sunrise.

Snacks (24/7):

• Beaver Nuggets: Buc-ee’s famous caramel-coated corn puffs and one of its most recognizable snacks.
• Wall of Jerky: A large selection of in-house beef jerky sold by the pound, along with more than 15 packaged flavors.
• Homemade Fudge: More than 20 flavors, with fudge cut fresh to order.
• Beaver Chips: Thick-cut potato chips that are freshly fried and served warm near the BBQ area.

Fuel

The Benton travel center will feature 120 gas pumps, giving drivers plenty of fueling positions even during busy travel periods. With that many pumps across the fueling area, the layout is designed to handle a high volume of traffic and reduce the kind of waiting and circling that can happen at smaller highway fuel stops.

The Restrooms

Buc-ee’s restrooms are one of the brand’s most talked-about features, and Benton visitors will have the same high-cleanliness expectations associated with the chain. Restrooms are cleaned on a 30-minute schedule and supported by dedicated cleaning staff.

The brand has also received national recognition for its restrooms. The New Braunfels, Texas, Buc-ee’s won the Cintas “Best Restroom in America” award in 2012, a distinction the company has continued to highlight over the years. Benton will be expected to maintain that same standard.

Jobs: 250 Full-Time Positions

The Benton store will bring more than a new travel stop to Saline County. Buc-ee’s plans to create 250 full-time jobs, with employees receiving benefits that include starting wages above minimum wage, a 6% 401(k) match, health insurance, and three weeks of paid vacation.

For the local area, those 250 positions represent a significant employment addition and another part of the project’s broader economic impact.

Opening Day: What to Expect on August 17

Looking at the crowds and activity surrounding recent Buc-ee’s openings, Benton residents should be prepared for a busy first day. Recent openings such as San Marcos on August 12 and Buc-ee’s Virginia and Mississippi locations in June 2025 have shown how much attention a new store can attract.

Before 6 a.m.: Do not be surprised to see people arriving well before the official opening time. New Buc-ee’s openings often attract early crowds, and Benton and Bryant residents have been anticipating this location since the original land rumors began in 2023.

6:00 a.m. CDT: The doors officially open, with the 120-pump fueling area ready for customers and the food operation beginning service. The BBQ counter, jerky selection, fudge area, and Beaver Nuggets will all be part of the opening-day experience.

10:00 a.m. CDT: The official ribbon-cutting ceremony is scheduled to take place, with the public invited to attend.

Tips for opening weekend:

1. Arrive early, preferably before 9 a.m., or consider visiting after 7 p.m. when the busiest periods may have eased.
2. Saturday and Sunday are expected to attract particularly large crowds. Those who can wait until Monday through Wednesday may find shorter lines while still experiencing the excitement of the new location.
3. Give yourself extra time. First-time Buc-ee’s visitors often spend longer inside than they originally planned because there is so much food, merchandise, and space to explore.
4. Both cash and cards are accepted.
5. Consider setting aside around $30–$75, depending on how much food, snacks, and merchandise you plan to buy.

What Comes After Benton: The Arkansas Expansion

Benton represents Arkansas’s first step into the Buc-ee’s network, but the company’s plans for the state do not end with this location.

A second Arkansas Buc-ee’s in West Memphis has been confirmed. The location is planned along I-40 between Little Rock and Memphis, Tennessee, although it remains in an earlier stage of development and still requires infrastructure work before construction moves forward.

Buc-ee’s co-founder Arch Aplin has also indicated that the company is looking for a third Arkansas location.

For a state that had no Buc-ee’s before the Benton project, the possibility of reaching three locations within a few years shows how quickly the brand is expanding its presence across Arkansas.

For the Locals: What Buc-ee’s Means to Benton

It would be easy to describe the Benton project simply through its business numbers: a large Texas-based chain, a 75,000-square-foot building, new jobs, increased visitor traffic, and additional tax revenue. But the story has become much more personal for people in Saline County.

That is what made Saline County Judge Matt Brumley’s comment during his visit to the unfinished building stand out: “I take my daughter to school and she asks dad, how much longer?”

For nearly three years, that same anticipation has been shared throughout Benton in different ways. Some residents have traveled long distances to visit other Buc-ee’s locations and wondered why Arkansas did not have one of its own. Others first heard the official news during the Salt Bowl reveal and immediately shared the announcement with friends and family.

Parents have been keeping an eye on the opening date, while travelers who regularly use I-30 have been waiting to see the familiar beaver sign finally appear in Benton. Now, the waiting is over. August 17 is the answer to the question Benton has been asking for years and Arkansas’s first Buc-ee’s is finally ready to welcome its customers.

Buc-ee’s Arkansas Locations

Buc-ee’s officially entered Arkansas with its first store in Benton, giving the state its first chance to experience the company’s large travel centers, extensive food selection, merchandise, and 24-hour service. The Benton location is positioned along Interstate 30 at Exit 114, making it accessible to both local residents and long-distance travelers.

The Benton store is approximately 74,000 square feet and includes 120 fueling positions along with around 750 parking spaces. It operates around the clock, giving drivers a convenient place to stop regardless of when they travel through the area.

Buc-ee’s Benton Location Details

The first Arkansas Buc-ee’s is located at 1400 Highway 229 in Benton, Arkansas, near the I-30 and Highway 229 interchange. Its location places it roughly 30 miles southwest of downtown Little Rock and about 35 miles from Hot Springs, making it a useful stop for travelers moving between Central Arkansas destinations.

The travel center offers the standard Buc-ee’s combination of fuel, prepared food, snacks, restrooms, shopping, and road-trip supplies. With 120 pumps, the fueling area is designed to handle a large number of vehicles at the same time.

What Makes the Arkansas Location Different?

Although Benton follows the familiar Buc-ee’s format, its arrival is significant because Arkansas previously had no Buc-ee’s location. The store gives travelers along I-30 access to a full-size Buc-ee’s without having to cross the state line.

The location is also expected to attract visitors from beyond the immediate Benton area. Its position on a major interstate makes it accessible to both Arkansas residents and travelers passing through the state.

Buc-ee’s West Memphis, Arkansas

Benton will not remain Arkansas’s only planned Buc-ee’s location. The company has also confirmed a West Memphis project along Interstate 40, creating another potential stop for travelers moving between Arkansas and Tennessee.

The West Memphis location is still in development, so its final opening schedule and construction details may change. Current plans point toward a 2027–2028 timeframe rather than an immediate opening.

Will Arkansas Get More Buc-ee’s?

Buc-ee’s expansion in Arkansas may eventually extend beyond Benton and West Memphis. Company co-founder Arch Aplin has indicated that Buc-ee’s is continuing to evaluate additional opportunities in the state.

That means Arkansas could potentially have several Buc-ee’s locations in the future, although any additional sites should be treated as unconfirmed until the company officially announces them.

Buc-ee’s Arkansas Growth

The Benton opening represents a major expansion step for Buc-ee’s. The company’s arrival makes Arkansas the 14th state with a Buc-ee’s and brings the Benton store to approximately No. 58 in the company’s nationwide lineup.

For Arkansas travelers, the biggest change is simple: Buc-ee’s is now part of the state’s highway travel network. Benton provides the first location, while West Memphis could give the company another strategic interstate location in the near future.

i. When is Buc-ee’s Benton Arkansas opening?

 Buc-ee’s Benton opens August 17, 2026, at 6 a.m. CDT, with the ribbon cutting at 10 a.m.

ii. Where is Buc-ee’s in Benton, Arkansas?

It is at 1400 Highway 229, Benton, AR 72015, off I-30 Exit 114.

iii. How big is Buc-ee’s Benton Arkansas?

 The store covers 75,000 square feet, with 120 gas pumps and about 750 parking spaces.

iv. How many jobs will Buc-ee’s Benton create?

The location will create 250+ full-time jobs with benefits, including a 6% 401(k) match and paid vacation.

v. Is Buc-ee’s Benton the first in Arkansas?

 Yes, it is Arkansas’s first and currently only open Buc-ee’s, with another planned for West Memphis.

vi. . Is Buc-ee’s Benton open 24 hours?

Yes, Buc-ee’s Benton will operate 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

vii. How many visitors will Buc-ee’s Benton attract?

 Governor Sanders projected around 5 million visitors annually, with about half coming from outside Arkansas.

viii. When was Buc-ee’s Benton announced?

 It was officially announced on August 30, 2024, during the Salt Bowl in Little Rock.

ix. When did Buc-ee’s Benton break ground?

Groundbreaking took place on April 16, 2025, after the original February ceremony was postponed due to wet conditions.

x. Is there a Buc-ee’s near Little Rock Arkansas?

Yes, the Benton location is about 20 miles southwest of downtown Little Rock.

Buc-ee’s Benton has quickly become an important addition to Arkansas’s highway travel network. Located at 1400 Highway 229 near I-30 Exit 114, the store gives local residents and interstate travelers a convenient place to fuel up, eat, shop, and take a break. Its large size, 120 pumps, full-service food options, and 24-hour operation make it much more than a traditional gas station stop.

For Arkansas, however, the Benton location is only the beginning. After years of rumors and planning, the state finally has its first Buc-ee’s, while the planned West Memphis location points toward a growing presence across Arkansas. If future projects move forward, Benton may eventually be remembered not just as the state’s first Buc-ee’s, but as the location that started the company’s larger Arkansas expansion.