Go the extra mile (for cheap gas)

If you're headed to the Blue Lake Fuel and Fun gas station to resupply this week, you may have to travel a slightly different route than you're accustomed to.

The Blue Lake Rancheria noted in a Facebook post Tuesday afternoon that, due to the volume of customers making their way out to the Rancheria for inexpensive gas, the tribe has had to set up traffic control measures to ensure the smooth flow of traffic and avoid the possibility of traffic incidents.

"Due to an increase in traffic to the Blue Lake Fuel and Fun gas station, Blue Lake Rancheria has placed signs to more efficiently manage traffic flow and prevent possible accidents," the tribe's social media post noted. "If you are driving into the Blue Lake Casino to use the gas station, you will now be routed to make a left on Chartin Road, a right on Rancheria Road and another right into the rear RV parking lot towards the gas station."

While the station's front entrance is directly visible (and historically accessible) from Chartin Road, the Rancheria is asking customers to use the detour "to help create a safer environment for employees and guests at Blue Lake Casino," advising, "as you approach Blue Lake Casino coming out of the roundabout, keep an eye out for the signage directing gas station traffic."

The Blue Lake Rancheria's tribal administration did not immediately respond to questions about whether specific individual incidents - be they fender benders or long lines that might prevent casino patrons from reaching their destination - were to blame.

The Times-Standard publishes an item collecting and comparing the relative gas prices of a handful of local stations each day, and Blue Lake Fuel and Fun gas station is consistently one of the lowest-priced options in the area. Stations on Native American reservations pay federal gas tax but are generally exempt from state gas taxes.

The average price of gas in California in April, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, exceeded $6 for the first time since June 2022. According to AAA, Humboldt County gas prices average $6.46, the second-highest in the state, surpassed only by Mono County, which averages over $7 per gallon.

As of 7 a.m. Wednesday, the price of unleaded gas at Blue Lake Fuel and Fun was below $6 for customers paying cash, according to GasBuddy.

Robert Schaulis can be reached at 707-441-0585.

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