Permits are pulled and it sounds like Buc-ee’s could finish building early in Benton

Buc-ee’s Travel Center in Texas – photo by Gina Jones Poole

The City of Benton stated on July 1, 2025 that Buc-ee’s Travel Center has pulled permits for all their upcoming work and they are nearly done with dirt work on the property at Interstate 30 and Hwy 229. Read more below about what’s to come, and see the🎬 beautiful drone video of the groundbreaking from April 16th…

Arch “Beaver” Aplin, III, drove out from Texas in April for the groundbreaking of the upcoming Buc-ee’s location in Benton, Arkansas, and he told the crowd he expected the store to be open for business in September 2026. But word has gotten around that Aplin was impressed by the 800 or so people that attended the groundbreaking, and in fact, it was the most people to attend one ever.

Because of that and some other statements, combined with the quick work on leveling the property, some are saying Buc-ee’s could open sooner.

Here’s the statement from the City of Benton, and the groundbreaking video after that.

Just 4 months since their official groundbreaking Buc-ee’s, and its contractors are nearing completion of the ground and dirt work for the travel center located at Exit 114 near Haskell.

We are happy to say that they have purchased and received all the required permits to start the building of the travel center, gas pumps and parking lots. Those permits include HVAC, Plumbing, Electrical, Landscaping, and Building Construction. We expect to see noticeable changes on the property real soon.

“We cannot thank Buc-ees enough for choosing our Home of Benton to be their first Home in the state of Arkansas. We are excited about what they will bring to Arkansas as well as to Benton. We look forward to the partnership we will have because we know “together we can do more.” Thank you Buc-ees for choosing Benton, Arkansas as your home!” Tom Farmer

The 74,000-square-foot facility will include 120 fueling positions, thousands of snack and grocery items, Buc-ee’s barbecue, fresh fudge, and home décor. Once open, the location is expected to create 250 new jobs, offering competitive pay, benefits, and a friendly work environment.

Click on map image to enlarge it.

Pictured above is the first section of the tract of land in the City of Benton’s Purchase, and the “Commercial 30 Acres” indicated on the southern tip (map is rotated, North is to the right)