Dolly Parton is putting a little 'Cup of Ambition' into the highway pit stop game with a new Tennessee travel center, giving Buc-ee’s some serious Jolene-level competition.
Dolly's Tennessean Travel Stop
The country legend’s new venture, Dolly’s Tennessean Travel Stop, is set to officially open June 24 in Cornersville, Tennessee, off Interstate 65 about an hour south of Nashville. Announced last year, the project is 'a travel experience built around the idea that every stop on the highway should feel a little more like home,' according to a news release.
The stop is designed to serve both long-haul truckers and families, offering a mix of food, retail and themed attractions. Guests will find DLY BBQ, Dolly’s Cup of Ambition Coffee, a nod to her hit song '9 to 5,' and shelves stocked with exclusive Dolly Parton merchandise. Unlike many traditional travel centers, including Buc-ee’s, the location will also include a full-service sit-down restaurant and café, turning it into a destination rather than a quick fuel stop.
Fans can also take photos against an original mural commissioned as a permanent love letter to Cornersville, as well as a replica of her well-known tour bus.
'I have spent the bulk of my life on the road, and more specifically on a bus. All the years spent visiting greasy spoon cafes, truck stops and roadside pit stops have given me an understanding of what travelers desire on the road,' Parton said in a news release.
Additional Features
The travel stop will offer standard fuel pumps as well as electric vehicle charging stations. Additional features include the Doggy Parton dog park, an upstairs event space and a stage designed for live music performances.
'Blending regional roots and high-quality service with her signature warmth and Tennessee spirit, the travel stop offers a welcoming place to rest, refuel and make the road a little kinder,' the news release reads.
Future Expansion
The initial Cornersville location is expected to become the flagship location for what could eventually expand into multiple Parton-themed travel stops across the country.
Parton’s entry into the roadside travel scene comes as Buc-ee’s keeps expanding across Tennessee and the South. The popular beaver-themed chain already has locations in Crossville and Sevierville, with more planned for Murfreesboro and Gallaway by 2027. Known for its massive stores with giant, clean restrooms and cult-favorite snacks like Beaver Nuggets, Buc-ee’s has also become its own destination-style pit stop.
