Dolly Parton gives Buc-ee’s a run for its money with her own supersized Tennessee travel

Move over Buc-ee’s, there’s a new queen of the highway.

Country music icon Dolly Parton is taking on America’s booming travel stop craze with the opening of her very own Tennessee roadside destination, complete with barbecue, coffee, live music, shopping and even a dog park.

The singer officially opened Dolly’s Tennessean Travel Stop in Cornersville, Tennessee, just an hour south of Nashville, welcoming travelers with what she hopes will become the ultimate Southern pit stop.

But this won’t be a one-off. The new location is being billed as the first of many Dolly’s Tennessean Travel Stops, with the company planning to expand the brand nationwide over ‘the coming months.’

And unlike many traditional gas stations, Dolly’s new outposts are designed to be destinations in their own right.

The sprawling travel center in Tennessee combines fuel pumps with a full-service restaurant, specialty coffee shop, live entertainment venue, plus shopping and amenities for both families and long-haul truckers – drawing inevitable comparisons to roadside giant Buc-ee’s.

The week-long grand opening celebrations even featured a surprise appearance from Parton herself, who helped cut the ceremonial ribbon and greeted fans.

‘I have spent the bulk of my life on the road, and more specifically on a bus,’ Parton said.

Country music icon Dolly Parton is taking on America’s booming travel stop craze with the opening of her very own Tennessee roadside destination

Unlike many traditional gas stations, Dolly’s new outposts are designed to be destinations in their own right

‘All the years spent visiting greasy spoon cafés, truck stops and roadside pit stops have given me an understanding of what travelers desire on the road.’

She added during the grand opening: ‘Well, the doors are open, and I could not be prouder. Whether you are hauling loads, hauling the family, or just passing through, we built this place for you.

‘Good food, real rest, a little music, and people who are genuinely glad you stopped in… that’s what the road has always deserved, and that is what you will find here. Welcome home.’

Inside, visitors will find DLY BBQ, Dolly’s Cup of Ambition Coffee – a nod to her hit song 9 to 5 – a grab-and-go market stocked with fresh baked goods, including cinnamon bread, Sweet Treats Ice Cream, and a full-service restaurant called Refuel & Relax.

Fans can also browse exclusive Dolly Parton merchandise, snap photos beside a replica of her famous tour bus and admire a giant mural celebrating both the singer and her Tennessee roots.

The travel stop has also been designed with entertainment in mind.

A permanent performance stage and upstairs patio will host live acoustic acts and regional bands, while outdoor fire pits offer travelers somewhere to unwind after a long day on the road.

Even four-legged passengers haven’t been forgotten.

The property includes the aptly named Doggy Parton Dog Park, giving pets a chance to stretch their legs before continuing their journey.

The travel stop has also been designed with entertainment in mind. A permanent performance stage and upstairs patio will host live acoustic acts

The singer officially opened Dolly’s Tennessean Travel Stop in Cornersville, Tennessee, just off Interstate 65 about an hour south of Nashville

Truck drivers are also a major focus of the new venture.

Dedicated overnight truck parking, private hot showers, laundry facilities and a drivers’ lounge aim to make the stop a welcome alternative for those spending days on the nation’s highways.

The center also offers traditional gasoline pumps alongside electric vehicle charging stations, reflecting the growing number of EV drivers taking to America’s roads.

The opening marks Dolly’s latest business venture outside music, adding to an empire that already includes Dollywood, hotels, restaurants and a growing collection of branded consumer products.

According to the company, the Cornersville location is intended to become the flagship for what could eventually grow into a chain of Dolly-themed travel centers.

The move also puts Parton into one of America’s fastest-growing retail sectors.

Texas-based Buc-ee’s has become a cult favorite among road trippers thanks to its enormous convenience stores, spotless restrooms and famous Beaver Nuggets snack, with locations rapidly expanding across the South.

Tennessee already has Buc-ee’s stores in Crossville and Sevierville, while additional locations are planned for Murfreesboro and Gallaway over the next few years.

But Dolly is hoping a little Southern hospitality – along with plenty of music, barbecue and coffee – will persuade motorists to make her newest attraction their next must-stop destination.