WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (AP) — A Purdue University energy expert says motorists heading out on summer road trips can expect gas prices to remain considerably lower than last summer despite recent price increases.

Energy economist Wally Tyner says gas prices will generally remain below $3 a gallon nationwide, with the exception of California and Hawaii. Gas prices in those two states are normally among the nation's highest.

Gas prices have been edging up in recent weeks, with the national average price at $2.69 per gallon last week. But that's nearly $1 lower than at the same time last year.

Tyner says rising crude oil inventories are among the reasons for lower gas prices. He says crude oil inventories continue to grow despite U.S. crude oil production dropping last month for the first time since 2013.