Oklahoma City has suddenly found itself in the middle of a road-trip rumor mill, with local economic developers confirming that Buc-ee’s is in early talks to plant a massive travel center near the I-40 and Cimarron Road interchange just west of the city. There is no formal agreement, no site plan and no timeline yet, but the mere possibility is already drawing attention from drivers, nearby landowners and municipal planners. If it happens, a fairly ordinary interstate exit could turn into a major regional destination, as reported by KOCO.
Kenny Tsoodle, CEO of the Alliance for Economic Development of Oklahoma City, said the conversations are strictly preliminary and told KOCO, “Like many other businesses, we’ve had preliminary exploratory discussions with the company, but no decisions have been made.” Local reporters say Buc-ee’s did not offer a comment when media outlets reached out.
Where It Could Sit
Local reports and social media chatter have focused on the I-40 and Cimarron Road interchange, the stretch between El Reno and Yukon, as the rumored location. News 9 and other outlets have not confirmed any specific parcel. That general area, along with the early-stage talks, is highlighted by Retail Customer Experience, which cites local television reporting.
Why This Would Be A Big Deal
Buc-ee’s has a reputation for turning highway exits into full-blown destinations, with huge footprints, dozens of fueling positions and sprawling food and retail operations. In 2024, the chain publicly signaled that it was eyeing Oklahoma as part of a broader expansion, and regional coverage shows Buc-ee’s continuing to push into new states, including a proposed Fort Pierce, Florida travel center of roughly 76,245 square feet, as reported by Southern Living.
Traffic, Jobs And The Timeline
If Buc-ee’s chooses the Oklahoma City area, nearby roads and the Oklahoma Department of Transportation would almost certainly be part of the equation. Similar Buc-ee’s projects in other states have prompted new ramps, wider intersections and extended utility work. The company has not agreed to any local plan and declined to comment to reporters, KOCO notes, and city officials say any incentive discussions are still in the very early stages. National coverage of Buc-ee’s buildouts suggests that these massive travel centers can create hundreds of local jobs and generate significant traffic impacts, according to reporting by the Houston Chronicle…