first-time tips – Buc-ee’s opened its first Arizona location in Goodyear on Monday, June 22, and opening week is already bringing major traffic. Here are five insider tips for a smoother first visit—what to expect on the roads, what to try, and why people won’t stop talking abo
By the time Monday. June 22 rolled around. Goodyear felt like a place people were already traveling through—except this trip led to one address. Buc-ee’s. the cult-favorite travel center. opened its first Arizona location in the city with a size and pace that turns even a simple stop into a full-on experience.
The new location sits near Interstate 10 and Bullard Avenue, and it spreads across 74,000 square feet with 120 fueling stations. It’s open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year—exactly the kind of detail that helps explain why so many people wanted to see it for themselves on opening day.
But the hype has a price: traffic.
Expect traffic heading to Buc-ee’s
The travel center’s opening week was expected to be a major event, and Goodyear put planning behind it. The city provided a Buc-ee’s travel route, and officers were positioned along the route to help control traffic.
Officials confirmed the travel route was still in place and would remain in place as long as traffic control was needed. That means there may be slow-moving to standstill traffic at times.
The 6.5-mile route loops through part of Goodyear and takes drivers directly into Buc-ee’s parking lot.
If you’re going on opening day, you must exit I-10 at Bullard Avenue. Both the westbound and eastbound I-10/Bullard off-ramps will be for Buc-ee’s traffic only.
When leaving Buc-ee’s, all traffic will be directed to eastbound I-10. Drivers will not be able to get on I-10 westbound.
Rideshare and carpooling were encouraged to help reduce congestion.
Taste test the food that Buc-ee’s is known for
The mania isn’t only about the building or the gas. One question came up again and again around opening: how’s the food?
Arizona Republic columnist Bill Goodykoontz taste-tested a wide spread of barbecue options, including the chopped brisket sandwich, Carolina pulled pork sandwich, three meat sandwich and beef jerky. Those are the items many people came ready to compare in real time.
If you want a quick way to join the conversation, start with a few of those staples—especially the sandwiches that define what Buc-ee’s is selling when it says homemade barbecue.
Try the ‘world’s cleanest bathrooms’
In the middle of the hype, one thing keeps coming back from the same place: the restrooms.
Often praised as some of the best public restrooms in the United States, the facilities at the new Goodyear location deliver on comfort, cleanliness and privacy. Customers are met with spacious stalls, well-maintained facilities, and constant upkeep.
The result is the kind of comparison that spreads fast—outshining most airport restrooms and typical public facilities.
Gas up while you’re there
Buc-ee’s is known for keeping its gas prices around the Costco and Sam’s Club level without requiring a membership.
On opening day, a gallon of regular gasoline cost $3.85, while diesel rang up at $4.49 per gallon.
And with 120 pumps, the place is built for throughput—so even with a crowd, the expectation is that you won’t have to wait long.
Check out the Arizona-themed Buc-ee’s merch
No one leaves Buc-ee’s empty-handed—not if they can help it.
The new Goodyear location offered a few location-specific items that can only be purchased there. Alongside the familiar gift-shop energy, there were “Buc-ee’s Arizona” T-shirts complete with Canyon and saguaro imagery.
It’s the kind of souvenir you don’t just see—you recognize. And once you’re there, it makes sense why people treat the opening like a day trip and the store like a destination.
Buc-ee’s was founded in 1982 and is known for its beaver mascot. “the world’s cleanest bathrooms. ” cheap gas and homemade barbecue. among other things. In Goodyear. all those details are now in one place—open 24 hours a day. 365 days a year—waiting for the next wave of Arizonans to test it themselves.
Buc-ee's Arizona Goodyear Buc-ee's opening June 22 travel center tips world's cleanest bathrooms gas prices Goodyear Buc-ee's merch Arizona themed
So it’s like a gas station cult thing but with extra steps? I drove past once and it was already bumper to bumper.
Opening day and they’re already putting officers on a route… sounds like every other corporate opening to me. Also 24/7 is wild, like no way people actually need to go there that late.
Wait so they’re closing I-10 westbound when you leave? That seems kinda backwards like why would they block the direction people actually wanna go. If I gotta sit in standstill traffic just to get snacks, that’s not a vacation.
74,000 square feet?? I thought it was bigger like on TikTok it looks like a whole mall lol. Anyway tip number one should be “go another day” because the route is 6.5 miles and it’s gonna be chaos. I’m pretty sure they’ll run out of brisket sandwiches by noon.