San Antonio, May 10, 2026, 13:04 (CDT)
Buc-ee’s is facing a new round of driver backlash, with stricter limits on fuel payments, parking, and extended stays at its travel centers sparking customer frustration. The Texas-based chain is seeing once-standard road trip routines become the latest source of tension for travelers.
This is coming up now as the company moves outside Texas, and some customers claim the rules are changing how they interact with Buc-ee’s. Fuel up, shop, but don’t use the parking lot as a rest stop. On May 9, highlighted pushback focused on three things: paying for gas, leaving cars parked to rest, and limits on commercial vehicles.
Buc-ee’s FAQ notes that when you use a card at the pump, you might see an authorization hold—usually anywhere from $75 up to over $200, depending on the card. Those holds can stick around for as long as 72 hours, according to the company, but Buc-ee’s points out it’s the card issuer, not the store, that calls the shots.
Pump signs started popping up in March, according to MySA. The new signs instruct card-paying customers to handle their transactions at the pump, rather than heading inside—a shift from the usual routine where drivers might pay for gas while grabbing snacks or other items. For gift-card holders, it’s not so simple: the pumps sometimes reject their cards, and workers inside aren’t able to ring up fuel purchases at the counter.
Last week, The Sun noted Buc-ee’s is rolling out the change to speed up fueling—supporters online argue it’s simple: pay, fill up, pull forward, shop inside. Critics, according to the same report, have flagged concerns over card holds and the threat of card skimmers at the pump, devices that can steal payment info.
The status of Buc-ee’s gift cards remains unclear. The company’s FAQ states that gift cards “cannot be used for fuel after April 1, 2027,” yet some customers report they’re already blocked from buying fuel with them at certain locations, since payments at the pump are required. Buc-ees
This marks a change from what the company originally said. Back when Buc-ee’s gift cards launched, general counsel Jeff Nadalo told MySA the cards worked for “anything that Buc-ee’s sells, including fuel purchased inside the store.” MySA
Parking’s also under strain. Buc-ee’s FAQ makes it clear: vehicles can’t be left parked while the owner leaves, nor can drivers rest there—no matter if you’ve got an RV or just a sedan. The company says it simply “cannot accommodate vehicles for an extended amount of time” in its lots. Buc-ees
The dispute over commercial vehicles has dragged on for a while. Back in February, MySA reported that Darren Nichols, a Nevada driver, claimed he was told to leave the Buc-ee’s in Bastrop, Texas, after stopping in his work truck with a trailer for gas and breakfast. According to Nichols, a manager informed him the policy was expanding nationwide. Buc-ee’s wouldn’t comment when asked by MySA about the reported shift.
According to CDLLife, signs at the Bastrop location listed not just semi-trucks but also included a dump truck and a pickup hauling a trailer. The publication noted it couldn’t find any public company policy documents that clarify the rules for each type of truck.
Buc-ee’s stands out thanks to its unique rules, separating it from truck stops and usual rest spots. According to MySA, drivers often turn to Love’s Truck Stop, Cracker Barrel, or Walmart instead—but the outlet also notes it’s best to confirm with employees before settling in for a break.
Buc-ee’s faces a risk: its approach to keeping pumps turning over could end up driving away low-balance debit users, gift-card customers, RV owners, and tradespeople hauling trailers. What’s more, Buc-ee’s hasn’t clarified whether this pay-at-the-pump rule is a company-wide mandate or something decided store by store, adding to the uncertainty.
Bottom line for customers: bring a card if you see pump signage, watch for a potential hold on your account, double-check before using a gift card for gas, and don’t plan on staying overnight or parking for long stretches at Buc-ee’s lots.
