Ruston’s First Buc-ees Travel Center Takes Shape on I-20

Excitement is building in Ruston as progress is made on the planned Buc-ees mega travel center for the region. Walls are now up at the complex.

The first Buc-ee’s in Louisiana is under construction in Ruston, just off Interstate 20 at the Tarbutton Road exit. The 74,000-square-foot mega travel center will feature over 120 fuel pumps and Mayor Ronny Walker tells KEEL news the giant facility is scheduled to open by April of 2027.

You can track the progress of the construction project at this Ruston site.

What Will Ruston Bucees Include?

This monster travel center will have 120 fueling stations, a huge food selection including the famous Beaver Nuggets, Texas BBQ, homemade fudge and even some Louisiana specialties like Boudin. And the facility will offer all kinds of souvenirs featuring Louisiana products.

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READ MORE: Take a Look at beginning of Buc-ees construction in Ruston

What Is the Economic Impact of Buc-ee's

Let's start with the jobs. The Ruston Buc-ee's is expected to bring in more than 200 full-time jobs with competitive pay and great benefits. The workers will be paid between $16 and $20 dollars an hour. The travel center will pump millions of dollars into the Ruston town coffers. Mayor Walker says he expects it to bring in about $2 million a year. Thousands of travelers are expected to stop at the complex each day.

Mayor Ronny Walker says “these are quality jobs. It’s not just the pay, but also the health insurance and retirement options, which are so important for families in North Louisiana.” 

The concrete slab is done and now many of the walls have gone up.

“This is the new model that Buc-ee's is building,” Walker said. “It’s bigger than the earlier stores, and we’re thrilled it’s coming to Ruston.”