Buc-ee’s Makes Headway on Potential Iowa Entrance
Plus, Wawa is expanding its EV charging network; Rutter’s opened its 94th location.
Aug 20, 2026 | 3 min read
Buc-ee’s is “one step closer” to its first store in Iowa, as plans for a potential travel center in Urbandale cleared another hurdle, according to local news outlet WHO 13.
“The City of Urbandale and developers behind the proposed project are moving forward with plans for a Buc-ee’s near Interstate 35/80 off 100th St. … On Monday night, Urbandale’s Planning and Zoning Commission approved changing the property’s comprehensive plan designation from ‘mixed use’ to ‘corridor commercial,’” the outlet wrote.
Buc-ee’s said the proposed location would not be a truck stop, but would instead focus on the Buc-ee’s customer experience and bringing travelers inside the store rather than just stopping for gas.
The news outlet highlighted that the Urbandale proposal is not the only recent effort to bring Buc-ee’s to the Des Moines metro. Last summer, the town of Norwalk was petitioning to bring the travel center to the southwest part of the metro near Interstate 35.
Meanwhile, Wawa continues to grow its electric vehicle charging network with an additional eight Wawa Branded Chargers coming this year at locations below:
o Store 268 – 5900 Bristol Pike, Bristol, PA 19007
o Store 266 – 7572 Schantz Road, Allentown, PA 18106
o Store 8021 – 1960 John Fries Hwy., Quakertown, PA 18951
o Store 8070 – 8240 West Chester Pike, Upper Darby, PA 19082
o Store 8062 – 1600 Egypt Road, Phoenixville, PA 19460
o Store 8083 – 1242 W. Baltimore Pike, Media, PA 19063
o Store 8220 – 164 Maynard Street, Williamsport, PA 17701
o Store 8109 – 413 Lancaster Avenue, Reading, PA 19611
Wawa currently has more than 280 EV charging locations to date.
Pennsylvania-based Rutter’s recently opened its newest location, and the company’s 94th store, in Bedford, Pennsylvania.
“The 13,468-square-foot store brings Rutter’s signature combination of fresh food, quality fuel and customer-focused convenience to the Bedford community. This location also features the company’s sixth 1747 Bar & Lounge, offering guests a 21+ space to kick back and enjoy a variety of alcoholic beverages, including freshly made cocktails, beer and wine. Additionally, sports fans now have a new go-to destination to catch every big game and match, with 15 high-definition 65-inch TVs and five Video Gaming Terminals,” Rutter’s said in a press release sent to NACS.
Over at Love’s Travel Stops, the retailer is expanding its footprint in Texas, with the opening of a new travel stop in Premont. The new travel stop is 12,748 square feet, and has 59 truck parking spaces, five diesel bays and space allocated for EV chargers.
In honor of the grand opening, Love’s will donate $2,500 to the Premont Fire Department, $2,500 to Premont Collegiate High School and $5,000 to Driscoll Children’s Hospital.
Also at Love’s, the company recently completed the remodels of its locations in Waco, Georgia; Lordsburg, New Mexico; Greenville, Illinois; Conneaut, Ohio; Walters, Oklahoma; and Baxter, Tennessee.
In honor of the remodels, Love’s donated a total of $30,000 to the local Children Miracle Network hospitals that serve each community.
Store Openings
