Buc-ee's Louisiana: Ruston Store Opens April 2027 (Complete Guide)

Louisiana's first Buc-ee's is under construction in Ruston along Interstate 20 and is on track to open in April 2027, according to Ruston Mayor Ronny Walker. The 74,000 square foot travel center at Tarbutton Road will feature 120 gas pumps, 700 parking spaces, and create 250 to 350 permanent jobs starting at $18 to $20 per hour with full benefits. CEO Arch "Beaver" Aplin III attended the October 2024 groundbreaking, calling it a homecoming since his family roots trace back to Harrisonburg, Louisiana. Exterior walls are up, the roof is nearing completion, and fuel tanks are already buried. A second Louisiana Buc-ee's is under construction in Lafayette targeting 2028. Below is the complete breakdown of what's coming, when, and how to plan your first visit.

When will the Louisiana Buc-ee's open?

Louisiana's first Buc-ee's in Ruston is confirmed to open in April 2027, according to Ruston Mayor Ronny Walker in an August 2026 statement to Louisiana Radio Network. Walker said the project is on schedule and some parts are actually running ahead. A ceremonial groundbreaking took place October 24, 2024 with CEO Arch "Beaver" Aplin III, Governor Jeff Landry, and Mayor Walker in attendance. Construction officially started mid-September 2025.

Where exactly is the Ruston Buc-ee's located?

The Ruston Buc-ee's is located along Interstate 20 at Tarbutton Road in Ruston, Louisiana (Lincoln Parish). This is the primary east-west corridor across north Louisiana, connecting Shreveport to the west and Monroe to the east. The 82-acre site sits directly off the interstate for easy access, with Buc-ee's dedicating about 40 acres to the travel center and holding the remaining 42 acres for future commercial development.

How big is the Ruston Buc-ee's and what will it offer?

The Ruston store will span 74,000 square feet with 120 gas pumps and 700 parking spaces, making it one of the newer mega-format stores in the chain. Expect the full Buc-ee's experience: Beaver Nuggets, chopped brisket sandwiches, the Wall of Jerky, in-house fudge, kolaches, 60+ restroom fixtures with dedicated cleaning attendants, and 24/7/365 operation. EV charging capacity has not been finalized publicly. Compare this size against the world's largest Buc-ee's using our interactive Buc-ee's locations map.

How many jobs will the Ruston Buc-ee's create?

The Ruston Buc-ee's will create 250 to 350 permanent full-time jobs, with entry-level pay starting at $18 to $20 per hour according to Mayor Walker. Every position includes health insurance and 401(k) retirement benefits. Supervisory and management positions earn significantly more. Hiring will begin in October or November 2026, roughly 5-6 months before opening. Applications will go through Buc-ee's online portal followed by in-person interviews at the Ruston Civic Center.

Is Louisiana getting more than one Buc-ee's?

Yes, Louisiana is getting two Buc-ee's locations. The Ruston store on I-20 opens April 2027 as the first. A second Buc-ee's is under construction in Lafayette along Interstate 10, targeting a 2028 opening. Both were announced together as Louisiana's first two Buc-ee's stores. The Lafayette store previously experienced weather-related delays but remains active. This brings Louisiana's Buc-ee's footprint to two stores by 2028.

Why did Buc-ee's choose Ruston, Louisiana?

Buc-ee's picked Ruston because I-20 is one of the most heavily-traveled interstate corridors in the South, connecting Dallas-Fort Worth to Atlanta. Ruston sits at a strategic midpoint between Shreveport and Monroe with heavy east-west truck and passenger traffic. CEO Arch Aplin III also cited personal ties: his family roots trace back to a general mercantile store his grandfather ran in Harrisonburg, Louisiana, giving Ruston symbolic significance as the chain's first Louisiana location.

How much did Buc-ee's invest in Ruston?

Buc-ee's committed tens of millions in private investment for the 74,000 sq ft store, plus the 82-acre land purchase. The City of Ruston separately invested over $8 million in road infrastructure to accommodate the store, funded through a Louisiana state legislative appropriation. Additional water, sewer, and electrical extensions were completed by city crews. Total combined public and private investment tied to the Ruston Buc-ee's exceeds $60 million.

Will the Ruston Buc-ee's affect I-20 traffic?

Yes, significantly. Buc-ee's projections show the Ruston store will attract roughly 15,000 vehicles per day once open. The City of Ruston completed extensive road upgrades to handle the volume, including widening Tarbutton Road and adding turn lanes. Mayor Walker estimated that "thousands and thousands" of daily travelers will stop in Ruston who otherwise would have driven through Lincoln Parish without stopping. This is expected to boost local hotel, restaurant, and retail revenue substantially.

How does Ruston compare to other new Buc-ee's openings?

Ruston is one of five new-state Buc-ee's openings scheduled in 2026-2027. The chain officially opened Arizona (Goodyear, June 2026) and Arkansas (Benton, August 2026) as new states in 2026. In 2027, four more states join: Louisiana (Ruston, April), Wisconsin (Oak Creek, April), Kansas (Kansas City, fall), and North Carolina (Mebane, November). See details on Arkansas's newest Buc-ee's or browse every current state on our locations map.

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