Budget Car Hire
Allentown

The Budget Car Rental counter at Lehigh Valley International Airport (ABE) is conveniently located inside the main terminal building. After you collect your luggage from the baggage reclaim carousel, look for the overhead signs directing you to "Rental Cars". The rental counters are typically grouped together in a dedicated area that is just a short walk from baggage reclaim, making for a smooth and easy transition from your flight.

At Lehigh Valley International Airport, you will find the Budget counter located directly inside the main terminal. This set-up is very convenient for travellers as it eliminates the need for a shuttle bus or a long walk to a separate facility. Once you complete your paperwork at the counter, you’ll be directed to the adjacent multi-storey car park where the rental vehicles are staged, usually just a brief walk away.

On a typical weekday, the process from landing at ABE to driving off in your Budget rental is quite efficient. Factoring in disembarking, walking to baggage reclaim, and picking up your luggage, you can often expect to be on your way within 30 to 45 minutes. This timeframe can vary depending on how many flights arrive at once and the number of customers in the queue, but ABE’s compact layout generally helps streamline the experience.

Arriving late at night at ABE can often make for a smoother rental experience. With fewer passengers, the terminal is quieter, and the airport signage for "Rental Cars" is typically very clear and well lit. The process at the Budget counter is the same, and the walk to the vehicle area is also well illuminated for safety. Exiting the airport is straightforward, with less traffic on the surrounding roads, allowing you to get on your way to your destination with ease.

A great meeting spot at ABE for a group is the main baggage reclaim area. It’s a spacious, public location that everyone must pass through after landing. Alternatively, you could meet at the seating area near the rental car counters themselves. This allows the designated driver to begin the rental process while waiting for the rest of the party to arrive, making your departure more efficient once everyone is together.

The most convenient place for the rest of your party to wait is in the baggage reclaim area, where there are usually benches and ample space for luggage. This spot is just a short distance from the rental car counters. Once the driver has completed the paperwork and collected the car, they can easily circle back to the terminal’s passenger pick-up kerb to collect everyone and their bags.

After you complete your rental agreement at the Budget counter, the agent will provide you with the specific parking bay number or row where your vehicle is located. The rental car parking area at ABE is well organised and clearly marked with row and number signs. Simply follow the directions provided and match the number on your paperwork to the corresponding parking space to find your car quickly and easily.

The best place to get organised is before you even leave the rental car parking garage. Find an empty parking space away from the main exit to set up your sat nav and connect your phone. If you prefer to do this after exiting, there are several large shopping-centre car parks within a two-minute drive on Airport Road. These car parks offer a safe and low-stress environment to make final adjustments before heading onto major motorways.

When leaving ABE, the most critical decision comes almost immediately as you exit onto Airport Road. You will quickly need to be in the correct lane either to continue straight on or to merge onto Route 22, which is the main east-west highway in the Lehigh Valley. Having your navigation set up before you start driving is the best way to ensure you are in the proper lane for your intended route without making a last-second manoeuvre.

For a low-stress drive to Downtown Allentown, you can avoid the busier highways initially. A straightforward route is to take Airport Road south and make a right onto Union Boulevard. Continue on Union Boulevard for several miles, as it will lead you directly into the heart of the city. This route primarily uses local roads with traffic lights, which can be much more manageable for a first-time visitor than navigating highway interchanges.

The simplest drive to Bethlehem’s historic district from ABE is to take Airport Road south to Schoenersville Road, then follow signs towards Main Street. This route keeps you on well-marked local roads. Once you arrive, the most convenient places for visitors to park are the North Street Garage or the Walnut Street Garage. Both are centrally located and allow you to park once and explore the charming shops and historic sites on foot.

The most direct route to Easton from the ABE area is to take Route 22 East. This highway will take you almost all the way there, and you can exit as you approach the downtown area. For easy parking, look for the Pine Street Parking Garage or the South Third Street Parking Garage. Both are located right near Centre Square, providing excellent access to the Crayola Experience, local restaurants, and shops.

During typical weekday commuting hours, generally from 7:00 to 9:00 and 16:00 to 18:00, you should anticipate heavier traffic on Route 22 and I-78. The flow is usually heaviest heading eastbound towards Bethlehem and New Jersey in the morning, and westbound towards Allentown and Harrisburg in the evening. It’s wise to add about 15–20 minutes to your travel time if you plan to drive on these roads during peak periods.

The best strategy is to use a GPS navigation app with lane guidance and to review your route before you start driving. When approaching major interchanges like the one for Route 22, try to stay in the centre-right lane until your exit is clearly indicated. This position gives you flexibility to move left or right as needed. Avoiding the far-right lane until you are comfortable with the road will help prevent the need for sudden, multi-lane changes.

An excellent ‘park once’ strategy for Downtown Allentown is to use one of the central parking garages, such as the ArtsWalk at City Center Garage or the garage attached to the PPL Center. By parking here, you are within a short and pleasant walking distance of the Allentown Art Museum, Miller Symphony Hall, and numerous top-rated restaurants and shops. This approach eliminates the hassle of finding new parking for each stop.

Getting to Dorney Park from ABE is very straightforward. The simplest route is to take Route 22 West to I-78 West and follow the well-marked signs for the park’s exit. Dorney Park is designed for visitors arriving by car and has massive, dedicated parking lots right on site. Simply follow the signs and the directions from the parking attendants for a hassle-free experience from arrival to departure.

For maximum convenience when attending an event at the PPL Center, the best option is the attached Linden Street Garage, which offers direct access to the venue. Several other nearby city garages, like the one on 9th and Hamilton, are also excellent choices and just a block or two away. It’s highly recommended to arrive early, as these prime spots fill up quickly for popular concerts and ice hockey games.

Visiting the Allentown Art Museum by car is quite simple. The museum is located on North Fifth Street in downtown Allentown. The most convenient parking is in the museum’s own dedicated car park, located directly behind the building. If that car park happens to be full, there is typically metered on-street parking available on the surrounding blocks. Just be sure to check the time limits and hours of enforcement on the meters.

The easiest way to drive to Lehigh University from ABE is via Route 22 East to Route 378 South, which takes you across the Lehigh River into South Bethlehem. Once you are on campus, the most straightforward approach for visitors is to follow signs for designated visitor parking. The university often directs guests to the Zoellner Arts Center Parking Garage, which is a central and easy-to-find location.

During major events like Musikfest or Christkindlmarkt, driving and parking directly within the festival grounds in Bethlehem is extremely challenging due to road closures and immense crowds. The recommended and least stressful strategy is to use the official satellite car parks located on the outskirts of the city. From there, you can take a convenient and efficient shuttle bus directly to the heart of the event.

Both Hamilton Boulevard (Route 222) and MacArthur Road (Route 145) are major commercial corridors that are easily accessible from ABE. For MacArthur Road, you’ll take Airport Road north, and for Hamilton Boulevard, you’ll typically use Route 22 West. Parking in these areas is generally very easy, as hotels, restaurants, and shopping centres all have their own large, free car parks for guests and customers.

A common surprise for visitors is the strict enforcement of posted parking rules, especially in the downtown and historic areas. Always double-check time limits on meters, as many have a two- or three-hour maximum. Also, be very mindful of signs indicating residential permit parking zones, as parking in one of these without the proper permit can result in a ticket. When in doubt, using a public parking garage is often the safest bet.

The most straightforward drive to Philadelphia is to take the Northeast Extension of the Pennsylvania Turnpike (I-476) south. This route is direct and avoids most local traffic until you get closer to the city. Once there, a simple plan is to park in one of the large parking garages in the Old City or Independence Hall area. This allows you to explore the historic core on foot without the stress of navigating narrow city streets.

A popular low-stress plan is to drive I-78 East into New Jersey and park at a major transit hub like Secaucus Junction or a PATH station in Hoboken or Jersey City. From these locations, you can take a short and inexpensive train or ferry ride directly into Manhattan. This strategy allows you to avoid the intense traffic, confusing streets, and high cost of parking within New York City itself.

An easy and scenic route for a Poconos day trip is to take Route 22 East to Route 33 North. This will lead you towards towns like Stroudsburg and the Delaware Water Gap. For popular stops like downtown Jim Thorpe or Bushkill Falls, parking is generally straightforward. Most attractions have their own large, dedicated car parks, and towns usually have a central municipal car park for visitors to use while they explore.

The most direct drive to Jim Thorpe from the Allentown area is to take the Northeast Extension of the Pennsylvania Turnpike (I-476) north to the Mahoning Valley exit. From there, follow the signs for Route 209 into town. The vast majority of visitors park in the large county-operated car park located right next to the train station at the edge of the historic district. This is the most convenient option for exploring the town on foot.

The drive to Hershey is typically straightforward, using I-78 West to I-81 South. Both interstates are well maintained and have numerous service plazas with fuel, food, and toilets for easy breaks. Once you arrive in Hershey, parking is very well organised. Hersheypark, Chocolate World, and The Hershey Story museum all have their own large, clearly marked car parks designed to handle significant visitor traffic.

A simple and often scenic route to Lancaster County is to take Route 222 South directly from the Allentown area. This road will take you through the heart of the region. In popular towns like Lititz, Intercourse, and Bird-in-Hand, parking is generally accessible. You’ll find a mix of free on-street parking on the main roads and public car parks located just behind the shops, making it easy to park and explore.

First-time visitors are often surprised by the short slip roads and quick merges required on Route 22, which demand assertive but careful driving. Another local feature is the use of "jughandles" for left turns on some divided highways, where you exit to the right to loop around. Additionally, be aware that speed limits can change quickly as you transition from rural roads to more developed suburban and city areas.

During winter weather, bridges, overpasses, and exit ramps are the first surfaces to freeze and can become very slippery, so approach them with extra caution. Main roads like Route 22 and I-78 are a high priority for clearing, but early in the morning after an overnight snow or freeze, even major routes can have icy patches. It’s always best to allow extra travel time and increase your following distance significantly in winter conditions.

In heavy rain, Route 22 is known for spray from lorries that can reduce visibility, and some low-lying sections can experience standing water. Fog can be particularly dense in areas near the Lehigh River, affecting parts of I-78 and local roads in both Allentown and Bethlehem. During these conditions, painted lane markings can become difficult to see, so reducing your speed and paying close attention to road signs is crucial for safety.

A mid-size or compact saloon often provides the best balance for navigating the Lehigh Valley. These vehicles are comfortable and stable for driving on motorways like I-78 and Route 22. At the same time, they are manoeuvrable enough to handle the tighter turns in older multi-storey car parks and the sometimes narrow streets you’ll find in the historic districts of Bethlehem and Easton.

If you’re travelling with a lot of luggage, it’s a good idea to inspect the cargo space before leaving the car park. For saloons, look for a deep, wide boot with minimal intrusion from the wheel arches. For SUVs, a model with a flat, unobstructed load floor and a tall roofline will offer the most flexibility. It’s always good practice to do a quick test fit of your largest bags to ensure everything will fit securely.

The most practical and safe place to install car seats is in your assigned parking bay within the rental car garage. After completing the paperwork, you can take your time at the vehicle without the pressure of traffic or other cars waiting. This controlled environment allows you to ensure the seats are installed correctly and that the children are buckled in securely before you begin your journey.

During your walkaround, pay close attention to the small details. Beyond looking for scratches and dents, check the condition of the windscreen wipers and the tyre pressure if possible. Inside the car, confirm that all charging ports are working and take a moment to adjust your mirrors and seat. It’s much easier to address any of these minor issues before you have driven off the rental lot.

Before you even put the car in drive, you should plug your phone into the car’s USB port to confirm that Apple CarPlay or Android Auto launches on the infotainment screen. Test that it is responsive and that you can access your primary navigation app. Verifying this functionality while you are still in the parking bay ensures you can easily request assistance or a different vehicle if the feature isn’t working as expected.

There are several convenient shopping centres located just a minute or two from the airport exit on Airport Road and Catasauqua Road. These centres contain major grocery stores, pharmacies, and coffee shops. They are very easy to access without any complex turns that would risk accidentally re-entering the airport loop, making them a perfect first stop for any necessary supplies.

You will find several major-brand petrol stations with very easy access along Airport Road, which is the main road leading directly to the airport entrance. These stations are located within a mile of the terminal and are designed for simple entry and exit. Topping off your tank at one of these locations before heading to the rental car return area is both quick and convenient.

As you drive towards the airport on Airport Road, stay in the left or centre lanes and look for large overhead signs that specifically say "Rental Car Return". These signs will direct you to a dedicated roadway that branches off from the main loops for passenger arrivals and departures. Following these specific signs is the key to avoiding the passenger drop-off congestion and heading straight to the correct facility.

The rental car return at ABE is conveniently connected to the main terminal building. After you’ve dropped off your vehicle and keys, you will see clear signs pointing you towards the terminal entrance. Once inside, simply follow the overhead signs for "Departures" or "Airline Check-In". The terminal is compact and easy to navigate, so it’s just a short, straightforward walk to get to your airline’s counter.