Buc-ee’s grand opening photo gallery below!📸👇
UPDATE AUGUST 18, 2026:
The Benton Buc-ee’s grand opening traffic during morning rush hour wasn’t as bad as predicted, thankfully. The evening traffic was a different story. MySaline was there for the ribbon cutting of the long-awaited, much-anticipated travel center with the cult-like following to open its first Arkansas location in Benton. Read more below.
Read more below.
About a hundred people lined up after midnight to be the first customers in the doors at 6:00 a.m. at the new Buc-ee’s at 1400 Highway 229 in Benton. Many, many more would come throughout the day, especially packing the place into the evening. At dinner time, you could see the traffic backed up on the Google Map, with yellow or red lines at Exit 114 for a few hours.
Buc-ee’s traffic at 8pm the first day of business, Aug 17, 2026.
The grand opening ceremony happened at 10:00 a.m., including several dignitaries in the program, and others who can’t just to observe. Shane Broadway of ASU Three Rivers and Saline County Economic Development Corporation began the ceremony, addressing a crowd of at least 200 people gathered.
Pictured above, Shane Broadway, ASU Three Rivers & Saline County Economic Development Corporation. 📸 Shelli Poole
Also speaking were Benton Mayor Tom Farmer, Benton Area Chamber of Commerce President Gary James, US Senator Tom Cotton, US Congressman French Hill, Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders, and finally, the owner of Buc-ee’s, Arch “Beaver” Aplin, III.
Pictured above, Benton Mayor Tom Farmer. 📸 Shelli Poole
Pictured above, Gary James, President of Benton Area Chamber of Commerce. 📸 Shelli Poole
Pictured above, US Congressman French Hill. 📸 Shelli Poole
Pictured above, US Senator Tom Cotton. 📸 Shelli Poole
Pictured above, Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders. 📸 Shelli Poole
Pictured above, Buc-ee’s owner, Arch “Beaver” Aplin, III. 📸 Shelli Poole
Other elected officials spotted at the event were Lt. Governor Leslie Rutledge, Attorney General Tim Griffin, State Senator Kim Hammer, State Representatives Julie Mayberry, Keith Brooks, RJ Hawk, Tony Furman, Paul Childress, County Judge Matt Brumley, Justices of the Peace Pat Bisbee and CJ Engel.
Political candidates Chris Jones for Congress and Hallie Shoffner for Senate were also present, as well as many representatives from law enforcement, including Saline County Sheriff Rodney Wright and Benton Police Chief Scotty Hodges.
A full crowd of media professionals, bloggers, Chamber members, politicians, and Buc-ee’s fans attended the ceremony. Here’s the photogallery:
PREVIOUSLY, AUGUST 16, 2026:
UPDATE AUGUST 16, 2026:
The City of Benton, Arkansas confirmed it weeks ago. The soft opening of Buc-ee’s Travel Center has already happened, and here’s what to expect at the grand opening Monday morning, August 17th.
Read below for details about the location, who can come, traffic, timing, just explaining what a Buc-ee’s is, the local economic impact, job openings…
LOCATION
The address to the new location is 1400 Highway 229 in Benton. Yes, Benton annexed the property when they purchased it, so it’s no longer rural county property. The western border of the Benton city limits is a jagged line, but it ends well on the west side of intersection of Interstate 30 and Highway 229 (Exit 114), and that’s where Buc-ee’s stands. If you’re looking for Haskell, it’s south of the Interstate.
WHO CAN COME
The public is invited to the Grand opening and ribbon cutting. City officials expect a massive turnout for the public event, noting it marks a milestone they have anticipated for nearly two years.
TRAFFIC
If your drive to work or school takes you past I-30’s Exit 114, you’ll want to leave early on Monday – very early, and for a while. Expect traffic, and lots of it. People from all over the country are visiting, to add the latest t-shirt and other merchandise to their collection.
Buc-ee’s is temporarily using adjacent City property for the influx of vehicles, and they have brought in literal tons of gravel to help everyone have a parking spot. They even striped spaces onto the gravel
TIMING
The popular convenience store chain will open the parking lot and allow people to line up outside – basically camping out – beginning at midnight Sunday night.
They’ll open the doors to let the public inside the store at 6 a.m.
At 10:00 a.m., the store will host an official ribbon-cutting ceremony, state and local elected officials attending.
WHAT IS BUC-EE’S
Buc-ee’s is known for its massive store size, super clean restrooms, and scores of fuel pumps, as well as brisket, Beaver Nuggets, jerky walls, bakery, nuts and fudge choices.
In addition, Buc-ee’s has boutique shopping, with home decor, apparel, gifts, and of course Buc-ee’s merch. Outside of the store, locations will vary on what they offer, but one boasts the Guiness World Record for longest car wash. Others may have a large picnic area.
The new Buc-ee’s travel center in Benton, Arkansas, will feature 120 fueling positions and 25 electric vehicle (EV) charging stations. It will feature approximately 74,000 square feet of retail space.
IMPACT
Buc-ee’s in Benton is projected to have a significant economic impact on Benton and Saline County through extensive job creation and a major boost in local tourism.
The project will become a major driver of local tourism, with estimates suggesting the travel center will attract 5 million visitors annually.
The massive scale of the facility is designed to capture a high volume of travelers passing between Little Rock, Hot Springs, and destinations well beyond central Arkansas.
JOBS
The facility is projected to generate between 200 and 250 full-time jobs for the community. These positions will offer above average wages and benefits.
Buc-ee’s is still hiring for a variety of roles. Job seekers may apply using the links below.
The travel center chain offers starting wages between $20 and $25 per hour. Full-time employees also receive a benefits package that features weekly pay, medical, dental, and vision insurance, and a 100% 401(k) match on up to 6% of contributions. Additionally, workers earn three weeks of paid time off, which they can use, cash out, or roll over into the next year.
Buc-ee’s maintains strict workplace standards for all employees. The company requires workers to fully cover any visible tattoos while on shift. Grooming standards limit employees to one earring per earlobe, and they maintain a zero-tolerance policy for lateness, mandating that employees always arrive on time or early.
Browse MySaline’s list of all the events in Saline County at www.mysaline.com/events.
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