PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — Maine officials predict more people will be traveling this Memorial Day weekend compared to last year because of good weather and lower gas prices.

The Center for Tourism Research and Outreach at the University of Southern Maine projects traffic volume at the Maine Turnpike’s York toll plaza will be 2 percent higher than last year. The York plaza is heavily used by tourists entering the state from the south.

Charles Colgan, the center’s associate director, says the recession is still having an impact on travel. He said that projected weekend volume will be about 1 percent below the average Memorial Day weekend traffic volume over the past five years.

All told, more than 625,000 vehicles are expected to enter the Turnpike from all exits between York and Augusta over the four-day weekend.