Wait. Stop. Before you punch "Buc-ee’s" into your GPS and head toward Richmond or Stafford, there’s something you actually need to know. Most people are still looking for a grand opening that technically already happened—but only in one spot.
If you’re waiting for that beaver-branded bliss to hit the I-64 or I-95 corridors, I’ve got some news. It’s a mix of "finally!" and "you’ve got to be kidding me."
The First Buc-ee's Grand Opening Virginia: It’s Already Here
The big one. The first one. The "I can’t believe there are 120 gas pumps in the middle of the Shenandoah Valley" one.
Virginia’s first Buc-ee’s officially opened its doors on June 30, 2025. Located in Mount Crawford (Rockingham County), right off I-81 at Exit 240, this place is basically a 74,000-square-foot temple to brisket and Beaver Nuggets. If you haven't been yet, it’s just south of Harrisonburg. Governor Glenn Youngkin even showed up for the groundbreaking back in '24 because, apparently, nothing brings a state together like exceptionally clean bathrooms and Texas-sized fudge.
People camped out. Seriously. On opening day, the line was out the door before the sun was even up. It’s the 69th store in the chain and the first true "north" expansion for a brand that used to be strictly a Southern secret.
The New Kent Disaster: Why the Second Location Is Stalled
Here is where things get messy.
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If you live in Richmond or the 757, you’ve probably heard rumors about the New Kent County location at Exit 211 on I-64. You’ve probably been thinking, "It’s coming any day now, right?"
Wrong.
Honestly, it’s a bit of a heartbreaker. While Buc-ee’s bought the land years ago (about 27 acres for a cool $6.5 million), the opening date has been pushed back so far it feels like a typo. As of late 2025, officials confirmed the New Kent location is now targeting December 2031.
Yes, 2031.
Why the massive delay?
Basically, it’s a traffic nightmare. VDOT is working on a massive $94 million project to turn Exit 211 into a "diverging diamond interchange." Buc-ee's refuses to open a store that creates a 10-mile traffic jam on day one, so they are syncing their grand opening with the completion of the roadwork.
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So, if you were planning a 2026 road trip to the New Kent Buc-ee’s, you’re about six years early.
Stafford and Beyond: The I-95 Battle
Then there’s Stafford County.
This is the one everyone in Northern Virginia is screaming for. It’s proposed for Exit 140 off I-95 (Courthouse Road). This site is even bigger—about 36 acres.
But it’s not a done deal.
The Stafford Planning Commission has been back and forth on this like a ping-pong ball. Neighbors are worried about the traffic (I-95 is already a parking lot, let’s be real), and the environmental impact of 120 gas pumps near residential areas. A big vote was deferred in late 2025, and the commission is set to take it up again in January 2026.
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If they get the green light this month? We might see a Stafford grand opening by late 2027 or 2028.
What to Actually Expect Inside
If you decide to make the pilgrimage to the Mount Crawford location (which, again, is the only one actually open right now), don’t treat it like a 7-Eleven. It’s a marathon.
- The Brisket: They have a "Texas Roundup" station where guys in cowboy hats shout every time a fresh brisket comes off the smoker. Get the sliced brisket sandwich. Don't overthink it.
- The Jerky Wall: It is literally a wall. Dozens of varieties. The "Bohemian Garlic" is usually the sleeper hit.
- The Bathrooms: I know it’s weird to talk about toilets in a travel article, but they have full-length doors and "vacant/occupied" lights. It’s cleaner than most people’s kitchens.
- Beaver Nuggets: They’re basically puffed corn with a brown sugar glaze. You will tell yourself you'll only eat five. You will eat the whole bag before you hit the county line.
Your Game Plan for 2026
Since we are now in 2026, and only one Virginia location is operational, here is how you handle the "Buc-ee’s itch":
- Check the Map: If you are driving I-81, Mount Crawford is your spot. It’s fully functional, staffed with 200+ people, and has 24 Tesla Superchargers if you're rocking an EV.
- Ignore the "Coming Soon" Signs on I-64: Unless you have a time machine to 2031, New Kent is just a field with a lot of orange orange barrels nearby.
- Watch the Stafford News: If you’re a NoVa local, keep an eye on the Stafford Board of Supervisors throughout early 2026. If the permit passes, construction usually takes about 17 to 18 months.
If you’re desperate for that beaver fix and you’re not near I-81, your next closest bets are the locations in Florence, South Carolina or the new ones popping up in North Carolina and Tennessee.
Actionable Insight: Stop waiting for the "next" grand opening and just drive to Mount Crawford. If you're coming from Richmond, it's about a 90-minute hop. From DC, it’s roughly two hours depending on how much I-66 hates you that day. Check the VDOT "511" app before you go—I-81 construction near Staunton can turn a quick jerky run into a three-hour ordeal.