Buc-ee's 1st Arizona location opening in Goodyear; here's what to know

GOODYEAR, Ariz. - The wait is almost over, Arizona! The state's first Buc-ee's location is officially opening next week in Goodyear.

What we know:

The 74,000-square-foot West Valley travel center, located near Interstate 10 and Bullard Avenue, has 120 fueling stations. The location also offers its signature food items, including Beaver Nuggets, beef jerky and smoked brisket.

In addition to its first Arizona location, Buc-ee's is also opening new travel centers in several other states.

Officials with Buc-ee's say the company has seen strong interest in the new location.

"You're talking 20,000 applicants, 400 to 500 employees now, right? And we're ready. We're ready to include the neighbors and say, 'Come on in," said Randy Pauly, Buc-ee's pitmaster.

Heavy traffic expected for grand opening

Local perspective:

The Buc-ee's parking lot is set to open at midnight on June 22. Doors open at 6 a.m., and there will be a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 8 a.m.

Heavy traffic is expected in the area for the grand opening, with as many as 40,000 vehicles expected to pass through over the week.

Goodyear city officials say all Buc-ee's traffic must use I-10 and exit at Bullard Avenue. When leaving Buc-ee's, drivers will not be able to access westbound I-10 and instead, will be directed to the eastbound lanes.

"Due to anticipated long traffic lines, make sure your car is stocked with plenty of water, snacks and gas," officials said. "While you're making your way though the Buc-ee's traffic route, a podcast will be available to tune into to learn more about what you need to know about getting to Buc-ees, including important safety reminders."

Officials say rideshare and carpooling are encouraged to help reduce traffic congestion.

What they're saying:

Linda Jacobs, co-owner of Southwest Specialty Food, whose business sits across the street from the new Buc-ee's, expects traffic delays but believes the development will benefit local businesses.

"I just think having something that's a destination here in Goodyear will bring business to  the whole community and to all of Phoenix," Jacobs said.

Jaquarrius Porter, who uses Bullard Avenue for his daily commute, said his usual 10 to 15 minute drive could become much longer once the store opens.

"I'm not really looking forward to this next week or so," Porter said

Porter added that he expects his commute to increase to over an hour come Monday.

"I already told my boss 'Hey, I don't know what to expect Monday, so I'll be at work. I just don't know what time I'll be at work,'" Porter said.

Porter said he plans to visit the new travel center eventually, but not during opening week.

"We wanted to go there for Opening Day until I found out that the parking lot opens at 12:00 at night," Porter said. "So that means that come 6 a.m. is going to be miles away. So I got plans to go sometime next week, two weeks, next month."

Dig deeper:

Buc-ee's opened in 1982 and the company holds multiple records. Its Luling, Texas store is the largest convenience store in the world at 75,593 square feet and the world’s longest car wash clocks in at 255 feet of conveyor.

MORE: A history of Buc-ee's: 5 things you didn’t know about the popular convenience store chain

What you can do:

For more details on the Buc-ee's grand opening in Goodyear, click here.

Map of the Goodyear Buc-ee's location:

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