Nearly 5 million California drivers are expected to travel the roads ahead of Memorial Day weekend, and with the average gallon of gas costing $6.15 in mid-May, feeling a pinch at the pump seems inevitable. But there is one way to circumvent California’s unusually high gas taxes — you just have to temporarily step outside state jurisdiction.
There are 55 fuel stations sprinkled throughout the state that are owned and operated by sovereign Native American tribes. Since the pumps are not technically on California land, their prices are often much lower than those at other stations.
Last week, a regular gallon at the Pem-Mey Fuel Mart in Klamath near Redwood National and State Parks was $5.69 — more than 50 cents cheaper than the state average. Farther down Highway 101 near Ukiah, the gas station at the Coyote Valley Casino was even better, charging $5.59 for regular.
“We’re exempt from the California state fuel tax, and we pass those savings along,” said Raymond Bacon, executive director of the Yurok Economic Development Corporation, which operates the station on Klamath.
Stephanie Hicks, speaking on behalf of the advocacy group Visit California Tribes, said gasoline from a tribal station is essentially the same as at any other station, and there’s no difference for the consumer. “Some critics may say it’s not regulated by the state and doesn’t adopt the same standards. Or that it’s not regulated by weights and measurements. But most stations coordinate with their weight stations in local stations to pump out correctly,” she said. “It’s not rogue.”
While drivers save on gas, Hicks said the stations are also a major benefit for the tribes. “It serves as a great business model and economic driver for Native communities,” she said. That’s especially true for tribes that don’t rely on gaming to support themselves.
For the Yurok Tribe, some of the revenue from the Pem-Mey Fuel Mart in Klamath is distributed quarterly to portions of the population. The tribe is set to open a second fuel station next year in Orick. Bacon said they recently finished designing the 5,000-square-foot store, which will feature electric vehicle charging, a rest area and a laundry mat.
“It’s not only selling goods. We’re taking and putting a spin on the travel center,” he said. “It’ll be a hub and home base with a concierge in the store to assist in your travels in the Yurok [Reservation] and Redwood National Park.”
Brandon Enriquez, a clerk at Cache Creek Mini Mart in Brooks, said he hears from Bay Area drivers about the cheaper gallons. In early May, the price for regular fuel was $5.79, but ahead of the holiday weekend, it jumped 20 cents to $5.99.
“Our gas prices are fairly middle, not as bad as the cities right now,” Enriquez said. “The secret sauce for us are friendly people. A lot of the time, you’ll end up charmed by one of us.”