Chae C.
Google
Every year, our family makes the long drive from New Jersey down to Georgia. It is a ritual we have kept for a long time, and along the way there has always been one familiar landmark: South of the Border. On every trip, I would look forward to spotting the very first billboard and start counting down the miles as we approached the North Carolina and South Carolina line.
But this year, something felt different.
There were no billboards, no bright signs, and no reminders of what used to be the highlight of crossing state lines. The decline of South of the Border was obvious. But in its place, something else has risen—a new American landmark that seems to symbolize the changing times: Buc-ee’s.
Located at 3390 N Williston Rd in Florence, SC, this gigantic Texas-born gas station has officially taken over our traditional stop. It is odd, enormous, and unforgettable. Buc-ee’s has practically reinvented the road-trip experience with its cheap gas, endless rows of food stalls, and a convenience store the size of a Walmart mixed with a travel plaza.
Inside, you will find Texas barbecue sandwiches, fresh bakery items, mountains of beef jerky, walls of souvenirs, and—most importantly—the cleanest bathrooms on the interstate. It offers privacy, convenience, and comfort in a way that old roadside attractions never could.
For our family, Buc-ee’s has now become the new ritual. It has successfully replaced South of the Border as our must-stop destination. It is modern, efficient, and just plain fun. While it does not have the quirky charm of the old landmark, it has earned its place as the new icon of American road travel.
If you are driving through South Carolina on I-95, Buc-ee’s in Florence is absolutely worth the stop.