The $2.41-a-gallon gasoline along U.S. 1 in Elkridge was tempting this morning, but I decided to hold out and see what Halethorpe and Lansdowne would bring. Patience paid off as the Royal Farm stores there each were selling regular at $2.39 -- well below the statewide average of $2.48 reported by AAA Mid-Atlantic.

The best prices in Maryland, according to MarylandGasPrices.com, can be found in northern Calvert County, where what appears to be a gas war in the Dunkirk area has driven prices down as far as $2.21. If you're heading to lower Montgomery County, gas  up before you go  because some stations are  still charging as  high as $3.