What We Know About South Carolina’s Second Buc-ee’s, and Why Now Is the Time to Discover Hardeeville
Quick Answer: Buc-ee’s is not open yet in Hardeeville, SC. The Texas-based travel center giant has confirmed a 74,000-square-foot store at I-95 Exit 8, part of the larger Hardee Station development, with construction expected to begin in early 2026. The opening is tied to South Carolina’s I-95 widening and Exit 8 redevelopment project, with estimates ranging from 2028 to 2031. In the meantime, Savannah Lakes RV Resort offers the perfect home base to explore the Lowcountry and watch this exciting project take shape.
If you’ve driven I-95 through the Lowcountry, you already know the Buc-ee’s effect — the excitement, the lines, the legendary bathrooms, and the brisket sandwiches worth pulling off the highway for. Now that excitement is coming to Hardeeville, South Carolina.
What’s Actually Happening at Exit 8
In November 2024, Hardeeville City Council gave preliminary approval to bring Buc-ee’s to Exit 8 of Interstate 95, at the intersection of U.S. Highway 278 and Highway 17. The store will anchor a 46-acre site within the larger Hardee Station mixed-use development — and at 74,000 square feet, it will be one of the largest Buc-ee’s locations built to date.
Stan Beard, Buc-ee’s Director of Real Estate and Development, told city council the Hardeeville market required a store of that scale. City officials estimate the project will bring around 200 new jobs to the area, ranging from entry-level to managerial roles, along with new sales, property, and hospitality tax revenue for Hardeeville.
This will be South Carolina’s second Buc-ee’s location, joining the original store in Florence, which opened in 2022.
Why Hardeeville, and Why Exit 8?
Buc-ee’s has built its brand on serving high-traffic interstate corridors, and I-95 through the Lowcountry is exactly that. Once open, the Hardeeville location will be the closest Buc-ee’s to Savannah, Georgia — just 20 to 30 miles away, replacing a Brunswick, Georgia location more than 60 miles south as the nearest stop for Savannah-area travelers.
The site is expected to include dozens of fuel pumps, EV charging stations, a bicycle plaza, and scenic ponds — signature touches that have made Buc-ee’s a destination in its own right, not just a fuel stop.
When Will It Actually Open?
This is the part worth setting expectations on: Buc-ee’s Hardeeville is still early in development. Construction is expected to begin in early 2026, and the project’s timeline is directly tied to the South Carolina Department of Transportation’s I-95 Widening and Exit 8 Redevelopment Project. A store of this size, drawing thousands of vehicles a day, can’t open until the interchange itself can handle the traffic.
Depending on the source, projected completion of the SCDOT infrastructure work — and therefore Buc-ee’s ribbon cutting — falls somewhere between 2028 and 2031. Hardeeville officials have described this as an evolving timeline that will shift based on infrastructure progress.
In other words: it’s coming, it’s confirmed, and it’s worth watching — but it’s not a this-year (or even next-year) stop yet.
A Sign of Bigger Things for Hardeeville
Buc-ee’s rarely arrives alone. In other markets, its presence has drawn hotels and sit-down restaurants to the surrounding area, and Hardeeville officials see this as part of a broader vision — allowing residents and visitors to shop, eat, and find recreation without leaving the city. Combined with major residential projects like East Argent and Carolina Station, Exit 8 is quickly becoming one of the most-watched corners of the Lowcountry.
Your Home Base for Watching Hardeeville Grow
Whether you’re relocating to the area, working on nearby development projects, or simply an RV traveler who likes to be near the next big thing before everyone else finds it, Savannah Lakes RV Resort puts you minutes from Exit 8 and the entire Hardeeville growth corridor.
With both RV sites and fully furnished cottages, Savannah Lakes offers flexible stays — from a weekend to several months — just minutes from I-95, the Port of Savannah, Bluffton, Hilton Head Island, and historic downtown Savannah. It’s an easy, comfortable base while Hardeeville’s next chapter unfolds around you.
Ready to Explore the Lowcountry?
Book your stay at Savannah Lakes RV Resort and be minutes from everything happening at Exit 8 and beyond. Call [PHONE] or reserve online at [BOOKING LINK].
Related pages to link internally: RV Sites | Furnished Cottages | Extended-Stay Housing | Hardeeville Growth & Relocation Guide
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Buc-ee’s open in Hardeeville, SC yet?
No. Buc-ee’s Hardeeville is approved and confirmed for I-95 Exit 8, but it is not open. Construction is expected to begin in early 2026, with opening estimates ranging from 2028 to 2031, tied to the completion of SCDOT’s I-95 widening and Exit 8 redevelopment project.
Where exactly will the Hardeeville Buc-ee’s be located?
It will be located at I-95 Exit 8, at the intersection of U.S. Highway 278 and Highway 17, within the Hardee Station mixed-use development.
How big will the Hardeeville Buc-ee’s be?
The store is planned at approximately 74,000 square feet, making it one of the largest Buc-ee’s locations to date.
Is this South Carolina’s first Buc-ee’s?
No. It will be South Carolina’s second location, joining the Florence, SC store, which opened in 2022.
How close is Savannah Lakes RV Resort to Exit 8?
Savannah Lakes RV Resort is located minutes from I-95 and the greater Hardeeville growth corridor, making it a convenient base for visiting the area.