Buc‑ee’s has finally circled a date on the calendar for its long‑anticipated San Marcos travel center: Wednesday, August 12, 2026, at 6 a.m. The huge complex is rising along I‑35 near Yarrington Road and is set to cover roughly 74,000 square feet, with more than 100 fueling stalls and planned electric‑vehicle chargers. The project is poised to become a major pit stop along the busy Austin‑to‑San Antonio run and is expected to generate hundreds of jobs in Hays County.
In a confirmation to MySA, Buc‑ee’s reiterated that the San Marcos location will open on August 12 at 6 a.m. The outlet notes that crews have been working the site since the company first registered the project in 2024, with full construction starting in January 2025. According to MySA, state filings peg the development at roughly $47.2 million, while municipal paperwork shows slightly different figures. The report also points to the site’s spot near Yarrington Road and runs through Buc‑ee’s staples, from fresh‑cut brisket to Beaver Nuggets.
Project size, pumps and local deal
City of San Marcos records spell out the specs: about 74,000 square feet of space for the travel center, roughly 120 fueling positions and room for future EV chargers along the perimeter parking areas. A Chapter 380 economic‑development agreement on file with the city requires at least 175 full‑time jobs, lists a capital investment figure the city places at about $50 million and includes a $100,000 contribution to a city community fund. Early coverage of the approval was documented in new Buc‑ee’s travel center reporting in 2024.
Timeline and schedule shifts
Initial filings and early press pointed to a spring 2026 opening, but that projection slid into summer as work continued on the site. The Express‑News and other local outlets tracked that timeline shift before Buc‑ee’s later confirmed the August date to MySA.
What it means on the ground
The San Marcos location slots in between Buc‑ee’s New Braunfels and Temple stores, creating one of the shortest gaps between sites along the corridor, as MySA pointed out. Municipal filings call for at least 175 full‑time positions and outline tax‑incentive terms under the Chapter 380 agreement, with the project carrying an estimated $50 million capital value in the city’s documents. Drivers can expect visible finishing work on the property in the weeks leading up to the confirmed August 12 opening.
Until then, commuters and Buc‑ee’s faithful are likely to keep an eye on the growing complex and map out their first road‑trip pit stops. We will continue to update coverage as Buc‑ee’s and San Marcos officials share more details on opening‑day plans.
