You’re driving down I-10, somewhere between San Antonio and Houston, when the billboards start. They’re everywhere. "Only 262 miles to Buc-ee's!" "Eat here, get gas, and never leave." It’s a Texas rite of passage, but the Buc-ee’s Luling Texas location isn't just another stop for a bag of ice and a soda. It is a behemoth.
Honestly, calling it a gas station feels like calling the Grand Canyon a hole in the dirt. It’s a 75,593-square-foot temple to consumerism, snacks, and the cleanest porcelain you’ll ever encounter in the wild. If you haven’t been since the summer of 2024, you haven't actually seen it. The old 2003 building—which was the brand’s very first "family travel center"—is gone. In its place stands a structure that could literally swallow 25 standard convenience stores and still have room for a wall of beef jerky.
The Magnitude of Buc-ee’s Luling Texas
Most people think they’ve seen a big gas station. Then they pull into 10070 I-10. This place is bigger than a football field. We’re talking 1.7 acres of indoor space. When it opened in June 2024, it snatched the "World’s Largest" title back from a location in Sevierville, Tennessee. Texas takes that kind of thing personally.
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There are 120 fueling positions. You rarely have to wait, though the sheer scale of the parking lot can be disorienting. I’ve seen people wander around for ten minutes just trying to remember which pump they parked at. Don't be that person; take a photo of your pump number.
The Math of a Mega-Stop
- Total Size: 75,593 square feet.
- Fuel Pumps: 120.
- Staffing: Over 200 employees working around the clock.
- The Bathroom Situation: 34 stalls for women and a massive array of urinals and stalls for men.
The bathrooms are legendary for a reason. They have full-length privacy doors and lights above the stalls that glow green if they’re empty. No more awkward peeking under doors. It’s the little things that make you feel like royalty in a rest stop.
Why Luling Matters (It’s Not Just the Size)
Luling is the heart of the Buc-ee's story. Arch "Beaver" Aplin III and Don Wasek started this empire in 1982, but Luling was where they tested the "travel center" concept in 2003. Before that, it was mostly smaller stores. Luling proved that people would stop for a massive, clean experience rather than just a quick pit stop.
The new building is right next to where the old one stood. In a weird twist of fate, shortly after the new store opened in 2024, the old building actually caught fire during its demolition phase. It was a dramatic "out with the old, in with the new" moment for the city. Now, it's the largest employer in the area.
The Food: Beyond the Brisket
If you go to Buc-ee’s Luling Texas and only buy gas, you’re doing it wrong. The center of the store features the "Texas Round Up" station. You’ll hear the employees shout "Fresh brisket on the board!" every time a new slab is pulled out. It’s loud, it’s chaotic, and the chopped brisket sandwiches are surprisingly solid for something wrapped in foil.
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But the real pros look for the more niche stuff.
The "Beaver Nuggets" are the obvious choice—puffed corn coated in a caramel-brown sugar glaze. They’re addictive in a way that should probably be studied by scientists. However, the jerky wall is where the nuance lies. They have "Hill Country Peppered," "Bohemian Garlic," and even "Ghost Pepper" for the brave. You can buy it by the bag or at the deli counter by the pound.
What to Actually Eat
- Sausage on a Stick: Wrapped in a tortilla. It’s the ultimate driving food.
- Kolaches: Specifically the jalapeño cheese ones.
- Fudge: They make it in-house. The peanut butter chocolate is a heavy hitter.
- The "Club" Sandwich: They recently added pesto to this, which has caused some controversy among the purists who liked the old-school version.
The Weird Stuff You’ll Find
The front half of the store is basically a Bass Pro Shops mixed with a Hallmark store. You can buy a cast-iron skillet, a deer feeder, a "Texas Forever" t-shirt, and a $200 outdoor cooler all in the same trip.
People genuinely decorate their houses with Buc-ee's merch. There are beaver-themed pajamas, swimsuits, and even holiday decor. It’s a cult. A friendly, beaver-worshipping cult that pays its employees well—often starting at $18–$22 an hour with full benefits, which is nearly unheard of in the gas station world.
A Warning for the Uninitiated
Don't bring your semi-truck. Seriously. Buc-ee’s has a strict "no 18-wheelers" policy. They want to keep the pavement clean and the traffic moving for families. If you’re driving a massive rig, you’ll be turned away.
Also, there is no seating. This is a point of contention for some. You buy your mountain of food, your beaver nuggets, and your 44-ounce "Big Swig" soda, and then you eat it in your car. They want you in, they want you to spend money, and they want you back on the road.
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Is Florida Taking the Title?
There are rumors that a new location in Fort Pierce, Florida, might try to dethrone Luling by 2027 with a 76,000-square-foot store. For now, though, Luling is the king. It represents the peak of the Texas road trip experience.
Actionable Tips for Your Stop
- Visit at Night: If you want to avoid the crowds, stop by between 2:00 AM and 5:00 AM. It’s surreal to see the world's largest convenience store nearly empty.
- Check the Gas Prices: They are usually competitive, but use the app to compare.
- The "Secret" Ice: Buc-ee's has great "pellet ice" (the crunchy kind) at certain fountain stations.
- Park Away from the Front: The spots closest to the doors are a nightmare. Park near the edges of the pump rows and walk; you’re going to be sitting in a car for hours anyway, you need the steps.
- Skip the Pre-Packaged Jerky: Go to the counter and get the fresh stuff. It’s a different experience entirely.
Luling is more than just a place to pee and buy gas. It’s a monument to the idea that if you make something big enough, clean enough, and put a friendly beaver on it, people will come from hundreds of miles away just to see it.