Roadside Stops Along the Way

Ride shotgun as I explore the pecan log, and the joy of the open road.

Hey, y’all! If you’re fixin to drive to Grandmama’s house this week, you might want to stop at Buc-ee’s. It’s a roadside stop like no other.

---

There’s a new attraction coming to the Lowcountry, and no, it’s not another golf course or gated community. It’s Buc-ee’s, y’all — and it’s rolling into town like a Texas tornado with brisket, fudge, and enough snacks to fill a shrimp boat.

They’re setting up shop right where Highway 278 meets I-95, in a shiny new travel plaza called Hardee Station — the official gateway to Hilton Head. The New York Times calls Buc-ee’s the “Disneyland of roadside capitalism.” I call it a snack-lover’s paradise with the cleanest bathrooms this side of Savannah.

“You could host a church social in there and still have room for the choir.”

---

The Beaver Has Landed

If you’ve driven anywhere through the South lately, you’ve probably seen him — that grinning, buck-toothed beaver in a red hat, smiling down from billboards and bumpers alike. Buc-ee, as he’s called, started back in 1982 as a humble Texas gas station and now boasts 47 locations — each one a wonderland of fudge counters, jerky walls, and barbecue brisket that would make your granddaddy weep with pride.

Let’s talk about those beaver nuggets. Imagine caramel corn, cereal, and a sugar rush all holding hands. They’re sweet, crunchy corn puffs that should probably come with a warning label: You won’t be able to stop at one handful.

And their kolache — mercy! A pillow of buttery dough stuffed with smoky sausage, melted cheese, and just the right touch of jalapeño. Dip it in their free green salsa (yes, free!) and you’ve achieved roadside perfection.

---

Before Buc-ee Came Stuck-ee

Now, before the beaver took over the billboards, Stuckey’s reigned supreme. Long before GPS, your best navigation tool was the promise of a pecan log roll just a few miles ahead.

By the mid-1970s, there were 368 Stuckey’s stores dotting highways across America — each one filled with gas pumps, souvenirs, and candy made from Georgia’s golden treasure: the pecan. Founder W. S. Stuckey Sr. built his folksy empire in 1937 from a humble roadside stand. Today, his granddaughter Stephanie Stuckey is carrying the torch, reviving the brand one sweet log roll at a time.

Their pecan log roll is still a masterpiece — chewy caramel, crisp pecans, and nostalgia wrapped up in wax paper. One bite, and you’re back in the backseat of your family’s station wagon, arguing over who gets the window seat.

---

Corridors of Consumption (and Charm)

Buc-ee’s and Stuckey’s have more in common than just catchy mascots. They’ve turned America’s highways into what one writer called “corridors of consumption” — though I prefer to think of them as corridors of comfort.

Buc-ee’s sells everything from Cherry Maple Beef Jerky to T-shirts that say “Whiskey may not be the answer, but it’s worth a shot.” The air smells of cinnamon-glazed nuts, smoked brisket, and credit-card temptation. It’s festive, loud, and a little bit irresistible — like Mardi Gras with gas pumps.

---

The Open Road Lives On

At their heart, Buc-ee’s and Stuckey’s are doing something deeper than selling snacks — they’re reviving the romance of the open road. They remind us of a time when travel wasn’t rushed, when you could pull off for a cold RC Cola, stretch your legs, and buy a snow globe that said “Savannah — Y’all Come Back Now.”

Next time you’re barreling down I-95 toward Hilton Head, roll down your window and follow the smell of brisket and cinnamon. Wave at that happy beaver, grab yourself a kolache, and know this — you’re not just stopping for gas.

You’re stepping into a Southern story — one sweet, savory mile at a time.

Because out here in the Lowcountry, the highway isn’t just a way to get somewhere — it’s a state of mind. And it comes with snacks.

What’s your favorite roadside stop?

Let us know about your experience!