KY’s Third Buc-ee’s Hit With Second Delay, Won’t Open Until 2029

The excitement about a new Buc-ee’s location, Kentucky’s third, coming to Oak Grove will have to be tempered. The original schedule had the popular roadside chain already open for business by now. This second delay puts the new store further into the distance.

Buc-ee's

Kentucky Buc-ee’s mania escalated quickly with arrival of the Richmond store. It only intensified with the opening of the Smiths Grove location in 2024. Since Buc-ee’s stores have that magic appeal, the announcement of the third store in Oak Grove was met with that same level of enthusiasm.

Third Kentucky Buc-ee's Delayed Until 2029

When that announcement was made, the target for the Oak Grove groundbreaking of Buc-ee's was 2025. But in late spring or early summer of last year, it was determined that necessary infrastructure upgrades would have to be in place for Buc-ee's to open on Interstate 24 at Exit 89. Those improvements included a new bridge and a widening of that exit. There were also water utility issues. But when that announcement came, work was expected to begin in late 2025 or 2026.

Another delay has now pushed the Oak Grove Buc-ee's debut back to 2029. In addition to the aforementioned concerns, the West Kentucky Star is now reporting that the re-routing of roads, the construction of a new water tower, and the need for a roundabout are also why we won't see a third Buc-ee's in Kentucky for at least another three years.

The popular Texas-based travel center has a large fan base and creates excitement with every grand opening announcement. It's estimated that Buc-ee's opens three to five new travel centers every year.