Buc-cee’s in Springfield, Missouri: A Legendary Tourist Travel Center
There is a legend among gas stations, and that legend is Buc-cee’s.
Perhaps you’ve heard of them by way of friends. Maybe you’ve seen pictures of the iconic travel centers on social media. You might even have visited one yourself.
Buc-cee’s is based out of Texas, and as a result there are dozens of them in the Lone Star State. The company has added a handful in other states, including Kentucky and Tennessee. I’ve had plenty of friends drop by the one north of Pigeon Forge on their way to the Smokies.
Missouri currently has a single Buc-cee’s location, just outside of Springfield.
Getting There
Buc-cee’s (Google Maps link) is directly off of I-44 east of Springfield, Missouri. You can find it on the appropriately named Beaver Road, which turns into N. Mulroy Road farther south. The travel center is about 200 miles — roughly 3 hours or so — from St. Louis. It’s on the way to Springfield and Branson, making it an easy stop if you’re headed to one of those southwest MO destinations.
Coming from St. Louis, you’ll get off at the Mulroy Rd. / Beaver Rd. exit (MO-744), then make a right. You’ll go through a roundabout that leads straight into the travel center.
Parking
When you enter, you’ll see dozens of gas pumps to your right and an expansive parking lot to your left. There’s also a row of Tesla charging stations on the left in the parking lot immediately after you turn in from the roundabout.
While Buc-cee’s is normally pretty busy, the property has a lot of space to accommodate the crowds.
Costs and Considerations
Buc-cee’s is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
The station offers gas, diesel, diesel exhaust fuel (DEF), and EV charging. The station also has ethanol-free fuel for boats and smaller engines that might benefit from it.
Buc-cee’s is a popular tourist destination, and you’ll probably see that from the moment you pull into the parking lot. We pulled in on a Monday a little after noon, and the parking lot was largely — but not completely — full. The gas pumps, likewise, were in the same state.
The crowds are even more noticeable inside. During any normal time of day, expect to maneuver around people as you make your way through the store.
Things to Do
The Buc-ee’s convenience store is divided into two sections: a store section and a food section.
The store section evokes home goods vibes. Here you can find a mix of souvenirs, apparel, things you can hang on walls, gear, and a cross-section of other stuff. I’ve seen other travel centers selling some of these things, but I’ve never seen the size and selection of what Buc-cee’s carries. You can even find some regional items.
You can get plenty of Buc-cee’s branded items.
The food section has a little bit of everything. Snacks and other things on shelves. Coolers carrying soda and other drinks. Stations for fountain drinks, coffee, and Icees.
As for the restrooms? I expected them to be very large and very clean, and they were very large and very clean. For those who are a little self-conscious in that space, know, too, that there are tiled dividers between the urinals and there are mostly enclosed stall doors.
Our Thoughts
We’d always been told that crowds were an unavoidable part of the Buc-cee’s experience, and that proved true. We had to navigate cars as we maneuvered to a parking spot, and we had to navigate lots of people as we maneuvered through the store. This place draws people, and it’s good to keep that in mind. I personally prefer quieter gas stations to fill up, so if that’s you, this may not be an ideal destination.
Still, it’s a unique experience. There’s a ton to see here, and it’s all clean and efficient. Attentive staff can take care of what you need, whether it’s getting a meal from one of the food counters or checking out at the register. The unique stock of food, souvenirs, and home goods means you can find a lot if you’re looking to do a little shopping.
Should you find yourself passing through Springfield, we think Buc-cee’s is worth a pit stop, at least once.
