By Dean Foley\/Australian Correspondent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Rising fuel prices linked to the Iran war are pushing more drivers across the United States to search for bargains and in many regions, the cheapest option is turning up on Native American reservations, where tribally owned stations can sell fuel at significantly lower prices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Junelle Lewis, from the Seattle area, drove to the Tulalip Reservation to fill up after noticing a sharp price difference on a phone app. \u201cI purposely drove here just for the gas\u201d she said, describing the savings compared with stations closer to home. The story says Lewis\u2019s experience is increasingly common in states with many tribally owned stations, including California, New Mexico, New York, Oklahoma, and Washington.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A key driver is tax: while tribal retailers still pay federal fuel taxes, state taxes are a different matter. Courts have long limited states\u2019 ability to collect taxes from Native Americans on their land, and in some places treaty rights further restrict state fuel taxes. The report notes that gas prices nationally have jumped by more than a dollar since the Iran war began in late February, with AAA data<\/a> placing the US average at $4.15 a gallon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In response, apps such as GasBuddy are making it easier for motorists to compare prices and identify the lowest-cost locations \u2014 including stations on tribal lands. But the story also highlights that cheaper fuel is only part of the picture. Many tribally owned convenience stores operate as broader community hubs, including in remote areas where options for groceries and household supplies may be limited.<\/p>\n\n\n\n