Better Than Buc-ee’s? New Travel Center to Open on I-10

As a state that has to live without one for a few more years, Louisiana sure is partial to Buc-ee's. I understand why so many Louisiana travelers love to stop at the massive Buc-ee's complexes for snacks, fuel, brisket, and a bathroom that's so clean even your mom wouldn't complain. But let's face it, when you cut through the mascot, the jerky, and the plush toys Buc-ee's just a gas station.

And while Louisiana residents are waiting patiently for our state's first Buc-ee's to be built near Ruston, we are also watching the construction progress of Louisiana's closest Buc-ee's in Harrison County Mississippi. But wait, what's this new mega travel supercenter that will be opening just beyond where the new Buc-ee's will be?

That new travel center that so many Louisiana drivers will be pulling into come mid-November is the latest location for the QuikTrip brand. QuikTrip was founded in Oklahoma back in the 50s and they have more than 1,000 stores in some 17 states. The Louisiana locations of QuikTrip are along I-20 in Shreveport, Bossier City, and Monroe.

Stop me if this sounds very similar to what Buc-ee's is going to be offering. The new QuikTrip on I-10 will be open 24 hours a day. They will feature a large selection of snacks, drinks, and prepared foods. They have an app that allows travelers to pre-order food so it will be ready when they arrive too. Seems like all they are missing is a bucktoothed mascot and a lot of hype, right?

The new "QT" is expected to be open in mid-November at Exit 31, the Canal Road exit off of I-10. The parent company is on the Forbes list of largest privately held companies and Forbes also ranks QT as one of the best companies to work for.

So, remember that when you see the Buc-ee's backup down the exit ramp like the one that happens during the summer at the Buc-ee's in Alabama. You can wait an hour or if you just go seven more miles you'll be able to get basically the same stuff without taking such a huge bite out of your travel time and schedule. It's cool that you'll have more than a few wonderful choices during your trip.