At $5.39 a gallon, Horizon Fuel Center in Valley Center, Calif. draws customers from across the region seeking relief from the state's highest-in-the-nation gas prices. The station sits on land owned by the San Pasqual Band of Mission Indians, which exempts it from state taxes and fees that typically inflate costs at other retailers.

Elaine LaPlaca-Heston, 69, stopped there while traveling to San Diego, budgeting just $35 for fuel despite the 40-mile trip. She's one of many gig workers and retirees who've made the station a lifeline. Independent contractor Jeff Bauer, 59, fills three-fourths of his tank for $92.03 during his 270-mile weekly pool service route. These customers represent the working class feeling the pinch of rising costs.

Molly Garcia, 20, earns $25 an hour working at the convenience store. As a tribal descendant, she's witnessed how the business has transformed from her community's economic strategy. The tribe opened Horizon five years ago as a smaller-scale alternative to their casino operations, with plans for expansion.

Owner David Dickerson estimates the station saves his sand and gravel hauling business about $500 weekly on fuel costs. Multiple Southern California tribes have launched similar stations, creating competitive pressure that ultimately benefits consumers struggling with inflation-driven expenses.