Alamo Car Hire
Allentown

After you disembark and collect your luggage from baggage reclaim, look for the overhead signs directing you to "Car Hire" or "Rental Cars." The Alamo counter is located inside the main terminal building. This central location makes it an easy and accessible first stop before you head outside to collect your vehicle.

The vehicle pick-up area at Lehigh Valley International Airport is not in a separate building requiring a shuttle. Once you complete the rental process at the Alamo counter inside the terminal, you will step directly outside to the adjacent rental-car lot. The lot is just a short, convenient walk from the baggage reclaim exit doors.

The simplest plan is for your driver to use the short-term car park, which is very close to the terminal entrance. This allows them to park and walk with you to the Alamo counter inside. Meeting this way avoids the stress of trying to coordinate a kerbside pickup while you handle luggage and paperwork.

Lehigh Valley International is a compact and easy-to-navigate airport, which is an advantage for late-night arrivals. After retrieving your bags, the rental-car counters are only a few steps away within the same building. The walk to the car lot is short and well lit, ensuring a secure and efficient process to get you on your way.

For an early departure, follow the airport signs for "Rental Car Return" to the designated Alamo area. After you park and complete the vehicle return process, it's a straightforward walk back into the main terminal building. From there you can proceed directly to your airline's check-in desk and then to the security checkpoint to reach your gate.

Don't worry if you miss the turn for the rental-car return. The road system at ABE is designed as a continuous loop. Simply stay on the main airport roadway, follow the signs for departures or arrivals, and the road will circle you back for another clear and safe opportunity to enter the return lot.

The area immediately surrounding ABE can be tricky as Airport Road intersects with major routes like US-22 and PA-987. The best strategy is to input your final destination into your sat-nav or navigation app while you are still parked in the rental lot. This gives you clear, turn-by-turn instructions before you start driving, preventing confusion at the first few critical interchanges.

During typical weekday rush hour traffic, the drive from the airport to downtown Allentown usually takes between 20 and 30 minutes. The main route via Airport Road and US-22 can experience congestion, so it's wise to allow a little extra travel time. Planning ahead helps ensure a more relaxed start to your visit.

The most straightforward way to get to Bethlehem is by taking US-22 East directly from the airport area. This main highway covers most of the distance without needing to navigate complex town streets. Once you take your exit for Bethlehem, your sat-nav can guide you on the final, shorter part of the journey to your hotel.

To get to Easton, your best option is to head east on US-22. This route is the most direct and keeps you on a primary highway for the majority of the trip, minimising interactions with complex local interchanges until you are close to the Easton exits.

Interstate 78 is a major commercial corridor with a high volume of lorry traffic, which can be intimidating for some drivers. The pace is generally fast, and visitors should be especially alert around major interchanges like the one with Route 309. Always be aware of your surroundings and allow plenty of space when changing lanes near large vehicles.

US-22, known locally as the Lehigh Valley Thruway, is notorious for very short on-ramps and off-ramps that require decisive and timely merging. For drivers unfamiliar with the area, this can be the most challenging aspect. Be prepared for your exit, signal early, and be aware that you will have less room to accelerate or decelerate than on more modern highways.

The most direct route to Philadelphia is to take local roads to I-476 South, the Northeast Extension of the Pennsylvania Turnpike. While this is a toll road, it is typically the fastest and most straightforward option, allowing you to bypass significant local traffic and providing a clear path south toward the Philadelphia area.

A round trip to Washington, D.C. in one day is long but manageable, involving about seven to eight hours of total driving. To make it work, leave Allentown very early, well before 6 a.m., to get ahead of the morning rush around Baltimore and D.C. For the return, plan to travel later in the evening to avoid peak afternoon traffic.

The drive to Hersheypark is generally smooth, primarily using I-78 West and I-81 South. The route is well signed and straightforward for most of the journey. As you get within a few miles of Hershey, be prepared for increased traffic, especially at weekends, and follow the signs directing you to the official Hersheypark parking areas.

Getting to Dorney Park is a quick and easy drive from the airport, typically by taking US-22 West to I-78 West. The park is located right off the motorway, making it hard to miss. Local roads immediately surrounding the park can get congested with park traffic, so it's helpful to decide which car park you're aiming for before you take the exit.

A day trip to Jim Thorpe is a popular choice, often involving a drive north on the Pennsylvania Turnpike (I-476). As you leave the motorway and approach the town, the roads become more scenic, winding and hilly. Drive at a comfortable speed, enjoy the views, and be prepared for limited street parking in the historic town centre.

For a visit to the Crayola Experience, the most convenient options are the two council-run car parks located on South Third Street. Both car parks are just a block or two from the attraction's entrance. This makes for a very short and easy walk, which is especially helpful for families with young children.

Driving to SteelStacks is straightforward, as it's well signed from major routes like I-78. The simplest parking solution is to use the large dedicated surface lots located on the campus grounds. Parking here provides direct and easy walking access to all the venues, including the ArtsQuest Centre and the Levitt Pavilion.

During Musikfest, driving and parking directly at the festival sites is not recommended due to extensive road closures and heavy congestion. The most effective strategy is to use the official satellite car parks located on the outskirts of the event. From there you can take the convenient, festival-operated shuttle buses directly to the main grounds.

When heading to an event at the PPL Center in downtown Allentown, expect significant traffic, especially in the hour leading up to the start time. Key streets like Hamilton, Seventh and Linden can become very congested. The best approach is to arrive early and park in one of the several nearby parking decks, which are clearly signed.

The Allentown Art Museum has a dedicated visitor car park located directly behind the building, which is the most straightforward option. If that car park is full, there is usually metered on-street parking available on the surrounding blocks. From this area, it's an easy walk to explore other nearby downtown attractions and restaurants.

The Da Vinci Science Center offers a very simple arrival and parking experience, which is great for families. It is located on the Cedar Crest College campus and has its own large, free surface car park situated directly in front of the main entrance. This removes any need to hunt for a space and allows a quick transition from your car to the exhibits.

If your hotel is on a one-way street, the best tactic is to have your sat-nav active for precise, turn-by-turn directions. Don't be afraid to circle the block once to get oriented before you pull over. Most downtown hotels have a designated short-term loading zone near the entrance to allow guests to check in and unload luggage without pressure.

During winter in the Lehigh Valley, bridges, overpasses and motorway ramps are the first surfaces to freeze and can become slick with black ice, especially in the early morning. It is crucial to reduce your speed and increase your following distance in these conditions. Main roads are typically well maintained, but caution is always advised when temperatures are near or below freezing.

In winter weather, the most stressful roads for visitors tend to be the hilly, winding and less-travelled rural routes outside the main towns. Major highways like I-78 and US-22 are prioritised for snow clearance. However, secondary roads may not be cleared as quickly, so it's wise to stick to primary routes where possible.

In heavy rain, the biggest challenges on I-78 and US-22 are reduced visibility from spray kicked up by large trucks and the potential for hydroplaning. Water can pool in the right lanes and on exit ramps, so it's important to slow down. Always use your headlights to make yourself more visible to other drivers during a downpour.

Yes, deer are a very real and frequent concern, particularly at dawn, dusk and overnight on roads outside the town centres. The risk is highest on two-lane country roads and wooded sections of highways heading toward the Poconos or rural western areas. These roads are often poorly lit, so it's essential to stay alert and scan the verges.

Cell service can be spotty in the more mountainous and rural areas north of Allentown. The most reliable navigation strategy is to download the maps for the region to your phone for offline use before you leave. This ensures that your sat-nav will continue to function and provide directions even if you lose your cellular signal.

A great half-day scenic loop for fall foliage is to drive north from Allentown towards the Lehigh Gap near Slatington and Palmerton. You can follow Route 145 or Route 309 for lovely views of Blue Mountain. The route offers a mix of motorway and country roads, providing a wonderful taste of the region's autumn colours without requiring a full day.

Lehigh County offers a self-guided covered-bridge tour and you can easily find a map of the route online. Planning your drive to follow the numbered sequence on the map will create a logical loop that minimises backtracking. This allows you to efficiently visit several historic bridges and charming small towns in a single, enjoyable afternoon.

When travelling with someone who has limited mobility, prioritise parking in car parks or designated lots that are close to your destination's entrance. For example, the lots at SteelStacks or the parking decks near the PPL Center are excellent choices. These options typically have lifts and minimise the walking distance compared with searching for a distant on-street spot.

Just a minute or two from the airport along Airport Road, you'll find several large shopping centres with spacious car parks. These are perfect places to pull over safely, away from airport traffic. You can take your time there to adjust mirrors, install car seats and set up your navigation before merging onto the main highways.

There are multiple petrol stations conveniently located along Airport Road, the main street that leads directly to the ABE entrance. You can easily find a place to refuel within a mile or two of the airport. This makes it simple to top off the tank right before you head to the rental-car return area without going out of your way.

If you arrive late at night, take a few extra moments in the well-lit rental-car lot to familiarise yourself with the vehicle's controls, particularly the headlights and wipers. The roads will be quieter, but it can be harder to spot turns on unfamiliar, darker streets. Drive cautiously, allow for extra time, and make sure your sat-nav is providing audible turn-by-turn directions.

Local drivers are very accustomed to the short merge lanes on US-22, so they tend to be decisive and expect others to be likewise. You may also encounter several modern roundabouts, which can be new to some visitors; remember to give way to traffic already inside the circle. Overall, the driving style is typical for the Northeast, so being predictable and aware is key.

When driving east from Allentown into New Jersey, you will encounter tolls on the Delaware River bridges and on major routes like I-78. Most rental cars are equipped with an electronic tolling transponder. It's a good idea to confirm with the rental agent at pickup how the device works and how you will be billed for any tolls incurred.

To keep a multi-state loop enjoyable, plan for shorter driving segments rather than one long day. A good approach is to make your first leg from Allentown to a destination in northern New Jersey. The next day, you can tackle the shorter but more intense drive into New York. Finally, plan the return trip to Allentown as its own separate travel day to avoid fatigue.