The Texas-based travel center giant Buc-ee’s is moving ahead with plans to build its first Virginia location in Stafford County. It has submitted formal requests to rezone nearly 35 acres of land to pave the way for a massive fuel and retail complex off Interstate 95.
The proposed Buc-ee’s would sit near the intersection of Courthouse Road (Route 630) and Austin Ridge Drive, just east west of I-95 Exit 140. Plans submitted to the county show a 74,000-square-foot convenience store and gas station with 120 fuel pumps, 24 future EV charging stations, and dozens of bus/RV parking spaces.
The applicant, Buc-ee’s Ltd., has partnered with Rocky Ridge LLC, owner of the four parcels (29-60D, 29-60E, 29-60F, and 29-60G), to submit a zoning reclassification request. They’re asking county leaders to rezone the property entirely to B-2 Urban Commercial, consolidating zoning from the current mix of B-2 and PD-1 (Planned Development) to allow for the commercial use.
The Stafford Board of Supervisors will ultimately decide the project’s fate, and public hearings are expected later this year. As Potomac Local News reported in February 2024, the project has drawn both excitement and concern from residents, with supporters touting economic development and opponents raising concerns over traffic congestion and impacts on surrounding neighborhoods.
The Buc-ee’s megastore would feature:
- A one-story building with a footprint of 74,000 square feet
- 120 gas pumps
- Future EV infrastructure: 24 charging stations
- A bike plaza, air/water valet, trash compactors, and a covered loading dock
- Buc-ee’s signature bronze beaver statue at the entrance
- Sidewalks, shared-use paths, a pedestrian bridge, and two signalized crosswalks
The site plan also includes a realignment of local roads, widened turn lanes, and enhancements to the I-95 southbound off-ramp to accommodate increased traffic. Two main entrances to the site—one on Courthouse Road and one on Austin Ridge Drive—are expected to be signalized intersections.
A small portion of the land, previously proffered for development in 2015, has already been zoned B-2. Buc-ee’s is seeking to extend that designation to the entire development area for consistency.
Environmental and Landscaping Considerations
The development would preserve and confirm wetlands on-site through the permitting process and proposes significant landscaping, including:
95 large deciduous trees (maples, oaks)
Nearly 100 evergreen trees and shrubs
A 60-foot landscape buffer and multiple setbacks from adjacent properties
Taxes Paid, Paperwork Filed
Documents show Buc-ee’s and Rocky Ridge LLC paid over $45,000 in Stafford County real estate and Fire & Emergency Services taxes on the parcels involved, fulfilling a key requirement for rezoning approval.
The project’s general development plan was prepared by Kimley-Horn, an engineering firm. The plan notes that the proposal may be amended during final engineering and state regulatory reviews.
The Stafford County Planning Commission is expected to review the project in the upcoming months before forwarding a recommendation to the Board of Supervisors. A public hearing will allow residents to voice support or opposition to the project.
If approved, Buc-ee’s would become one of Stafford County’s most visible commercial landmarks and a key stopping point for travelers heading up and down the East Coast.
Buc-ee’s has gained a cult following nationwide for its massive clean restrooms, extensive snack selections, and quirky merchandise. The Stafford location would mark the company’s continued expansion into Virginia, joining stores in Tennessee, Kentucky, and South Carolina.
