Mississippi welcomes first Buc-ee's

Mississippi’s first Buc-ee’s, a $50 million investment in Harrison County, is transforming the Gulf Coast through infrastructure improvements and economic growth. The project includes a $15 million reconstruction of the I-10 Menge Avenue exit to handle the anticipated influx of vehicles, a sign of the travel center’s expected draw of five million annual visitors. Beyond its economic boost, with over 200 full-time jobs offering competitive wages and benefits, Buc-ee’s is spurring surrounding development, including new businesses and shopping centers.

While it mirrors the economic boom seen in Loxley, Alabama, the project also raises concerns about traffic congestion and potential competition with local employers. The grand opening, scheduled for June 2025, highlights the store’s regional appeal as both a travel destination and a catalyst for future growth in South Mississippi.

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories below were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.

Walls were going up on the new Buc-ee’s travel center in Harrison County at the end of 2003. The target is to open before the end of 2024 along I-10 near Gulfport. By Photo Courtesy of James Randolph

NO. 1: BUC-EE’S HOPING TO OPEN SOUTH MISSISSIPPI LOCATION SOONER THAN ORIGINALLY SCHEDULED

The original estimated opening for the much-awaited business was Spring 2025. | Published January 27, 2024 | Read Full Story by Mary Perez

Work continues on a new bridge over I-10 at the Menge Avenue Exit in Harrison County ahead of the opening of a new Buc-ee’s travel center. Two night closures are scheduled to allow crews to span the interstate. By Courtesy of Mississippi Department of Transportation

NO. 2: TWO MORE I-10 OVERNIGHT CLOSURES ARE PLANNED AS ROADWORK CONTINUES FOR NEW BUC-EE’S

The detours will again use the exit and entrance ramps at Menge Avenue as a detour. | Published February 13, 2024 | Read Full Story by Mary Perez

NO. 3: I-10 TRAFFIC NEAR FUTURE BUC-EE’S SITE EXPECTED TO BACK-UP FOR HOURS AGAIN, MDOT WARNS

After a long backup Tuesday, here’s how long today’s delays could last. | Published April 25, 2024 | Read Full Story by Martha Sanchez

Buc-ee’s staff members work to prepare brisket and other specialties of the travel centers. The new Buc-ee’s in South Mississippi will create more than 200 full-time jobs. By Courtesy of Buc-ee's

NO. 4: BUC-EE’S IS LOOKING FOR STAFF AND PAID INTERNS FOR MS COAST STORE. HERE’S WHAT TO KNOW

Walls are up and progress is evident at the new Buc-ee’s travel store under construction along I-10 in Harrison County, MS. | Published September 16, 2024 | Read Full Story by Mary Perez

Construction continues along the Menge Avenue overpass over Interstate 10 in Pass Christian on Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024. By Hannah Ruhoff

NO. 5: BRIDGE UNDER REPAIR NEAR FUTURE MS COAST BUC-EE’S HAS REOPENING DATE. IT’S SOON.

Here’s when the Menge Avenue overpass is expected to reopen. | Published November 14, 2024 | Read Full Story by Martha Sanchez

Work continues on the construction of Buc-ee’s in Harrison County on Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024. By Hannah Ruhoff

NO. 6: BUC-EE’S BROUGHT ECONOMIC BOOM TO SMALL ALABAMA CITY. WILL HISTORY REPEAT IN SOUTH MS?

As Buc-ee’s arrival in South Mississippi gets closer, economic successes of the travel center in Alabama came with headaches. What can Harrison County learn from Alabama’s experience? | Published January 14, 2025 | Read Full Story by Martha Sanchez

NO. 7: IS BUC-EE’S A ONE-SHOT WONDER FOR SOUTH MISSISSIPPI OR WILL MORE BUSINESSES FOLLOW?

The focus has been to get the new bridge and Buc-ee’s travel center open along I-10 in South Mississippi. Now it’s time to go after more business for that area of Harrison County. | Published January 16, 2025 | Read Full Story by Mary Perez

NO. 8: HOW DEAL TO BRING BUC-EE’S TO SOUTH MISSISSIPPI CAME TO LIFE. ‘WE LOVE YOU. WE NEED YOU.’

The Harrison County travel center will be one of the biggest in the nation. | Published February 14, 2025 | Read Full Story by Poet Wolfe

The beaver signs are up on the building as construction continues on Buc-ee’s travel center in Harrison County on Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2025. By Hannah Ruhoff

NO. 9: SIGNS GOING UP AT MISSISSIPPI’S FIRST BUC-EE’S. HERE’S HOW CLOSE WE ARE TO THE GRAND OPENING

A big sign of progress is signs going up at the Buc-ee’s travel center off I-10 in Harrison County. Inside crews also are preparing the building for the grand opening. | Published February 19, 2025 | Read Full Story by Mary Perez

This report was produced with the help of AI tools, which summarized previous stories reported and written by McClatchy journalists. It was edited by journalists in our News division.