Work is underway on a new Buc-ee’s travel center in Mebane, marking the launch of the brand’s first location in North Carolina. The groundbreaking drew more than a dozen local politicians and public officials, an unusually large turnout for a convenience store and fuel project and a reflection of the profile Buc-ee’s has built as it expands into new states.
The development is planned on a 30-acre site and will feature a 74,000-square-foot building, positioning the project among the larger-format retail offerings in the region. The facility is slated to include 120 fueling positions, underscoring its role as a high-capacity stop for motorists moving through the corridor. Buc-ee’s stores are known for emphasizing extensive food, beverage, and merchandise selections, along with high service standards for travelers.
The project is expected to generate more than 200 jobs in Mebane and nearby communities once the store is open and fully staffed. The store will be larger than most supermarkets and is projected to cost between $60 million and $70 million to construct, according to the information provided. That level of investment highlights the scale of the retail and fueling operation envisaged for the site.
The Buc-ee’s will be located along the Interstate 40–Interstate 85 corridor, a key route for both regional and long-distance traffic. The state has committed $33 million to upgrade the I-40/I-85 interchange serving the area, an infrastructure improvement that is expected to support traffic flow to and from the site. Public leaders and project backers anticipate that the new interchange and the Buc-ee’s opening will together act as a catalyst for additional commercial activity in the surrounding area.
The broader development area encompasses approximately 320 acres, with the Buc-ee’s serving as an early anchor for what local stakeholders expect will be a larger wave of investment over time. While specific follow-on projects have not been detailed, the new travel center is widely viewed as a key first step in repositioning the land for more intensive commercial use.
Buc-ee’s representatives anticipate that construction of the Mebane store will be finished by November 2027. Once complete, the project will add a significant new destination for highway travelers and could help redefine the retail and service offering along this stretch of the I-40/I-85 corridor.
