Buc-ee's Is Coming to Mebane, NC
What to Know About North Carolina's First Buc-ee's
If you have driven along I-40/I-85 near Mebane lately, you may have noticed the billboards. North Carolina is finally getting its first Buc-ee's, and it is landing right here in the Piedmont Triad. Here is what is actually happening, and what it could mean for the area.
Where It's Being Built
The new Buc-ee's will sit at 1425 Trollingwood-Hawfields Road in Mebane, right near the I-40/I-85 interchange in Alamance County. That interchange is one of the busiest highway junctions in the Piedmont, connecting traffic from Greensboro, Burlington, Durham, and Chapel Hill, which makes it a natural fit for a travel center of this size.
The project has been years in the making. Conversations about bringing a Buc-ee's to the area started back in 2021, with an earlier plan in Orange County that did not move forward after public pushback. Mebane city leaders approved a rezoning request for the current site in January 2024, and site grading began in early 2026.
Groundbreaking and Timeline
Buc-ee's held an official groundbreaking ceremony in Mebane on June 10, 2026, with the mayor, city council members, and several state legislators in attendance. A company spokesperson has said the store is targeting an opening in the fourth quarter of 2027, with November 2027 mentioned as the current specific target. As with any large construction project, that date could shift, but active construction is now underway.
How Big Is It Going to Be
This will be a big one, even by Buc-ee's standards. The main building is planned at roughly 74,000 to 75,000 square feet, about 20,000 square feet larger than the chain's current location in Florence, South Carolina. Plans call for 120 fuel pumps under a 65,000 square foot canopy, 20 electric vehicle charging stations, and around 650 parking spaces, including spots for buses and RVs. The whole thing sits on more than 30 acres.
Buc-ee's is also expected to bring at least 200 full-time jobs to the area, with starting pay reported around 18 dollars an hour for cashiers and store staff, and 21 dollars an hour for food service positions, plus benefits.
What About Traffic
Local residents have raised the same question anyone would: what happens to traffic on a two lane road once a mega travel center opens nearby. The North Carolina Department of Transportation is already widening Trollingwood-Hawfields Road to two lanes in each direction, and plans include a second bridge over the interstate to create a diverging diamond interchange, designed to handle a couple thousand more vehicles per day. Buc-ee's is contributing several million dollars toward those road improvements as part of the project.
What This Means for the Area
A project of this size brings more than just snacks and gas. It means new jobs, more visibility for Mebane along a major interstate corridor, and continued growth for a part of the Piedmont Triad that has already been expanding steadily. If you are watching the Burlington, Mebane, or Alamance County market, this is exactly the kind of development that tends to bring more attention, and more demand, to the surrounding area over the next few years.
If you are curious how a project like this could affect property values or growth in your specific neighborhood, I am always happy to talk it through.
Cathy Cagno, Owner/Broker in Charge/REALTOR, Local To Coastal Realty, Inc.
336-516-4136 | localtocoastalrealty.com
