Land Cleared for New Buc-ee's Store in Hardeeville

City officials provide updates on the highly anticipated travel center's construction timeline and impact on local traffic.

Apr. 20, 2026 at 9:08am

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A high-end, photorealistic studio still-life photograph featuring a stack of colorful, branded Buc-ee's merchandise and souvenirs arranged elegantly on a clean, white seamless background, conceptually representing the abstract concept of a new commercial development and economic growth.The arrival of a new Buc-ee's travel center in Hardeeville, South Carolina will bring a boost of economic development and jobs to the region.Hardeeville Today

The City of Hardeeville, South Carolina has announced that land has been cleared for the construction of a new Buc-ee's travel center location adjacent to Interstate 95 at Exit 8. The 40-acre site will include the main Buc-ee's building, gas pumps, and several additional commercial outparcels. Officials say the new Buc-ee's is expected to generate 200 new jobs in the area and is being coordinated with the ongoing I-95 widening and Exit 8 redevelopment project.

Why it matters

The arrival of a major Buc-ee's travel center is a significant economic development for the Hardeeville area, bringing new jobs, tax revenue, and a popular regional destination for travelers along the I-95 corridor. The project's coordination with the state's highway infrastructure improvements is also crucial to managing the anticipated increase in traffic volume in the Exit 8 area.

The details

The new Buc-ee's location in Hardeeville will be over 40 acres in size and include the main Buc-ee's building, gas pumps, and several additional commercial outparcels for other businesses. City Administrator Josh Gruber stated that the Buc-ee's site preparation work is a preliminary step to ensure the property is ready for construction once the timing aligns with the completion of the I-95 widening and Exit 8 redevelopment project, which is currently expected around 2030. The redesign of Exit 8 will involve installing a diverging diamond traffic pattern to help handle the high traffic volumes expected to access the Buc-ee's site.

  • Land clearing for the Buc-ee's site has begun in April 2026.
  • The I-95 widening and Exit 8 redevelopment project is currently expected to be completed around 2030.
  • Buc-ee's vertical construction is anticipated to begin once the highway improvements are finished, potentially accelerating if the project is completed sooner.

The players

Buc-ee's

A popular Texas-based travel center chain known for its large convenience stores, extensive fuel offerings, and wide selection of regionally themed merchandise and gifts.

Josh Gruber

City Administrator for the City of Hardeeville, South Carolina.

South Carolina Department of Transportation

The state agency responsible for the I-95 widening and Exit 8 redevelopment project in Hardeeville.

Point Grand Hardeeville

A 216-unit apartment complex currently under construction directly across from the future Buc-ee's site.

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What they’re saying

“The clearing and site work that is happening now is a preliminary step to ensure that the property is ready to move into construction as soon as the timing of the I-95 project makes sense.”

— Josh Gruber, City Administrator

“Given the scope and complexity of the I-95 project, we are anticipating that this will occur sometime around 2030.”

— Josh Gruber, City Administrator

“This means that there will likely be large amounts of traffic entering and leaving the interstate that will access the Buc-ees site based on predicted traffic volumes, but that traffic will be more or less confined to the Exit 8/Highway 17 area and should not result in traffic impacts outside of this area.”

— Josh Gruber, City Administrator

What’s next

The City of Hardeeville and South Carolina Department of Transportation will continue to coordinate the timeline for the Buc-ee's construction with the completion of the I-95 widening and Exit 8 redevelopment project, which is currently expected around 2030. If the highway improvements are finished sooner, it could allow for an acceleration of the Buc-ee's vertical construction.

The takeaway

The arrival of a new Buc-ee's travel center in Hardeeville represents a significant economic development opportunity for the region, bringing hundreds of new jobs and a popular destination for interstate travelers. However, the project's success will hinge on the successful coordination with the ongoing highway infrastructure improvements to manage the anticipated increase in traffic volume in the area.