Buc-ee’s is still moving forward with plans for its first North Carolina location, but the timeline has shifted and the site remains in early development.
The massive travel center is planned for Mebane, just off Interstate 40/85, in an area that has become a focal point for new commercial growth. While land preparation is underway, the store itself is not under vertical construction yet, and opening is still well over a year away.
Location and Site Progress
The future Buc-ee’s is planned near Trollingwood-Hawfields Road, close to the I-40/85 interchange in eastern Alamance County. For decades, this area was largely undeveloped farmland.
Recent imagery and local reports show grading and site work, but no completed building structure. Infrastructure improvements tied to traffic flow around the interchange are also part of the broader project scope and have contributed to delays.
Updated Timeline
Earlier projections hinted at a sooner opening, but that is no longer realistic.
Current estimates now point to a target opening around May 2027, pending permitting, roadwork, and construction progress. As of early 2026, major building permits for the Buc-ee’s structure itself have not yet resulted in visible vertical construction.
In short: the project is active, but still in the groundwork phase.
What’s Planned for the Mebane Buc-ee’s
Plans for the site remain largely unchanged and include:
- Roughly 74,000–75,000 square feet of retail space
- About 120 gas pumps
- EV charging stations
- Hundreds of parking spaces
- An estimated 200 full-time jobs
If built as planned, it would be one of the largest travel centers in the state and a major new roadside destination along the I-40/85 corridor.
Bigger Picture for the Area
The Buc-ee’s site sits near other large retail projects, including a nearby Target development, reinforcing Mebane’s shift from rural crossroads to regional commercial hub.
That growth has also fueled traffic concerns and public debate, but the project itself remains approved and active.
Bottom Line
This is not an opening-soon story anymore. It’s a long-term development with visible early progress, infrastructure hurdles, and a realistic opening window in 2027, not 2025 or 2026.
It’s still happening — just slower, and with more moving parts than the early headlines suggested.g this area a major retail and travel destination.
Last Updated on January 8, 2026 by F.E.M