Avis Car Hire
Allentown

After you collect your luggage, look for the overhead signs directing you to Rental Cars or Ground Transportation. The Avis rental desk is conveniently located inside the main terminal building and is easy to find. Once you have completed the paperwork at the desk, staff will direct you to the adjacent multi-storey car park where the vehicles are kept. The entire process is well signed and straightforward for arriving travellers.

To streamline your pickup during peak hours, consider having one person from your party head directly to the Avis desk while others wait for the luggage. This can save valuable time by getting the hire process started sooner. If you are an Avis Preferred member, you can often bypass the desk and go straight to your car. The walk from baggage claim to the hire desks and then to the car park is short, so even during busy periods the process is quite manageable.

The most effective approach is for the first person to arrive to handle the hire agreement at the Avis desk. Once they have the keys, they can drive the car to the passenger pickup curb outside the arrivals area to meet the rest of the group. Clear communication via text is essential to coordinate timing. This avoids everyone waiting at the desk and makes for a much smoother start to your trip.

A compact or mid‑size saloon is typically the best choice for a weekend focused on city exploration. These cars strike a good balance of comfort and manoeuvrability, making them easy to navigate on downtown streets. Their smaller footprint also simplifies finding and fitting into on‑street parking or tight car park spaces. They usually provide excellent fuel efficiency for trips between Allentown, Bethlehem and Easton.

The most straightforward route is to follow Airport Road (PA‑987) south from the airport. This main road will lead you directly towards the city. You will eventually merge onto Union Boulevard, which takes you into the heart of downtown Allentown. Using your phone's sat nav will provide helpful turn‑by‑turn guidance, but this primary route is well signed and avoids complex motorway interchanges.

For a direct trip to Bethlehem, take Airport Road south for a short distance and then join Route 22 East. This main road provides a clear and direct path to Bethlehem with well‑signed exits for key destinations such as the Historic District or the Southside Arts District. It lets you bypass local traffic and get to your destination efficiently.

The simplest and most direct way to reach Easton is to take Route 22 East from the airport area. This dual carriageway will take you to the Easton exits, allowing you to avoid navigating smaller, more complex local roads. Once you exit the road you can use your sat nav for the final turns. This approach keeps the majority of your drive on a main, easy‑to‑navigate thoroughfare.

A few minutes from the airport along Airport Road you'll find several shopping centres and convenience stores like Wawa or Sheetz. These are perfect first stops as they offer clean restrooms, a wide variety of snacks and drinks, and spacious parking areas. It's an ideal opportunity to adjust your sat nav, reorganise your luggage in the boot, and get comfortable before beginning the main leg of your journey.

First‑time visitors are often surprised by the prevalence of paid parking, even in historic areas. Many on‑street spots use pay kiosks or mobile apps rather than traditional coin meters. Residential permit parking zones are common just off the main commercial streets, so it's important to read signs carefully to avoid a ticket. Using the well‑signed public car parks is often the least stressful option.

Rush hour in the Lehigh Valley, generally from 7–9am and 4–6pm, can cause significant delays on major routes like Route 22 and the I‑78. If you have time‑sensitive plans, allow at least an extra 30 minutes. To avoid the worst of it, consider using local roads that run parallel to the main roads, or plan to arrive at your destination area well before your reservation to find parking without feeling rushed.

To secure a good parking spot and avoid the longest queues, plan to arrive around 30 to 45 minutes before the park's scheduled opening time. This lets you get settled before the main crowds arrive. Alternatively, arriving after about 2pm can work well, as the morning rush has usually subsided and some early visitors may have already left.

The key to a smooth visit is to arrive early and check the fair's official website for specific parking instructions and recommended routes. For major events, organisers often set up special traffic patterns to manage vehicle flow. Approaching from side streets rather than the main entrance on Liberty Street can sometimes help you bypass the heaviest congestion and find parking more easily.

The most common and convenient option is to use one of the several car parks located within a block or two of the PPL Center. The Linden Street Garage and the ArtsWalk Garage are popular choices that offer safe, well‑lit parking. From these locations it's just a short, easy walk to the arena entrance, allowing you to avoid the immediate traffic congestion at the venue.

The best approach is to pause briefly in the loading zone, even if only for a short time. One person should stay with the vehicle while another goes inside to complete the check‑in. You can ask reception for directions to the hotel's recommended longer‑term car park. After securing your room key, you can move the car and bring your luggage up at your leisure.

Your best strategy is to park in one of the two centrally located public car parks: the North Street Garage or the Walnut Street Garage. Both provide easy access to the heart of the historic area. Once you've parked, you can comfortably explore Main Street's shops, restaurants and historic sites on foot without the hassle of moving your car.

First‑time drivers on Hamilton Street should pay close attention to one‑way sections and time‑varying turning restrictions. The area is also a hub of activity with significant pedestrian traffic, so be extra vigilant for people crossing the street, especially near the PPL Center. Getting into the correct lane early is important as the street grid can be confusing for newcomers.

During the holiday season, especially at weekends, expect heavy traffic congestion in and around the Historic District. On‑street parking is extremely limited, so your best plan is to head straight to one of the public car parks. Be prepared for them to be busy and consider arriving earlier in the day to secure a space. Walking will be your primary mode of transport once you've parked.

The easiest method is to follow the signs to the official SteelStacks car parks located on the campus. These lots are large and designed to accommodate event crowds. Driving directly to these designated areas saves you the stress of searching for on‑street parking and ensures a relatively short walk to the venues, even if you arrive shortly before your event begins.

Parking in these popular tourist towns can be very challenging, particularly at weekends. The most effective plan is to commit to parking in the first available spot you find in a paid municipal car park upon arrival. While it may require a short walk to the main shopping streets, it saves you the frustration of circling narrow roads looking for a rare on‑street space.

A highly recommended, low‑stress strategy is to drive your hire car to a suburban SEPTA station, such as Lansdale or Doylestown. You can park your car there for the day and take a relaxing train ride directly into Centre City Philadelphia. This approach allows you to completely bypass the city's notorious traffic, one‑way streets and expensive city car parks.

The most efficient plan is to drive to a major NJ Transit station in New Jersey, such as Metropark or Hamilton. These stations offer large, secure parking decks and provide direct train service into New York Penn Station. This strategy keeps you out of the stressful and time‑consuming traffic of the Holland or Lincoln Tunnels, allowing you to enjoy a more relaxed journey into Manhattan.

Before leaving the Allentown area for the Poconos, it's sensible to stop for essentials that may be harder to find in more rural areas. Many travellers find it helpful to pick up bottled water, snacks for the car and a portable phone charger. It's also a good idea to download route maps for offline use, as mobile reception can be unreliable in certain parts of the mountains.

To maximise the scenery, plan a loop route rather than an out‑and‑back trip. For instance, you could drive north from Allentown on a scenic route like PA‑145, travel west along the base of Blue Mountain, and then return south via a different road such as PA‑309. This creates a more engaging journey and lets you experience a wider variety of landscapes and small towns.

To create a logical flow, plan your trip as a one‑way progression rather than a back‑and‑forth journey. After exploring the Lehigh Valley, drive south towards Lancaster County via routes like I‑78 West to PA‑100 South. This connects the two regions efficiently. By grouping activities geographically you'll spend more time enjoying the destinations and less time on the road.

Both I‑78 and Route 22 are busy roads characterised by fast‑moving traffic and frequent interchanges. Route 22 in particular is known for its short on‑ramps, which require drivers to merge quickly into traffic. It's essential to be alert and confident, know your exit in advance and move into the appropriate lane well ahead of time to avoid sudden manoeuvres.

During winter weather the most challenging roads are often the hilly, winding country roads in the townships surrounding the main towns. These are typically the last to be ploughed and salted. Additionally, bridges, overpasses and shaded areas can freeze over unexpectedly, even when other road surfaces seem clear, so they require extra caution.

You should be especially cautious at dawn or dusk on roads that border parks, game lands or wooded areas. Routes like Lehigh Parkway in Allentown, roads near the Trexler Nature Preserve and rural two‑lane highways heading towards the mountains are prime areas for deer activity. Always scan the sides of the road and be prepared to brake suddenly.

An early morning return to ABE is normally straightforward, as you'll be driving before the morning rush hour begins. The journey from either downtown area is typically under 20 minutes. Simply follow your sat nav directions to the airport and look for the "Rental Car Return" signs as you approach the terminal. Allow a little extra time just in case, but traffic should be light.

As you get close to the airport, reduce your speed and pay close attention to the airport signage. The entrance for Rental Car Return is separate from the main loops for Departures and Arrivals. Following these specific signs is key. For added peace of mind you can enter "Avis Car Rental Return ABE" directly into your sat nav for precise, turn‑by‑turn directions to the correct entrance.

You can find numerous petrol stations and self‑service car washes equipped with vacuums along the main roads leading to the airport, such as Airport Road and Schoenersville Road. These are very convenient for a quick interior clean‑up before you head to the rental return lot. A quick search on your map for "car wash near ABE" will show several nearby options.

A good strategy is to have one adult wait with the children and luggage in the terminal seating area while the other person completes the hire paperwork and retrieves the car. The driver can then circle round to the passenger pickup curb outside. This allows you to fit car seats and load your belongings in a calmer, safer environment away from the movement of cars in the car park.

For trips to ski areas like Blue Mountain or Camelback, an SUV with all‑wheel drive (AWD) is an excellent choice. AWD provides enhanced traction and stability on roads that could be snowy or icy. Furthermore, an SUV offers generous cargo space, which is perfect for accommodating bulky ski equipment, boots and winter kit for your whole party.

The most relaxing approach is to drive to a Metro station in the Maryland suburbs, such as Greenbelt or Shady Grove, which offer large, multi‑day parking facilities. You can leave your hire car there and take the Metro directly to the National Mall and other attractions. This allows you to avoid the stress of navigating DC's complex traffic patterns and the high cost of city parking.

To make your day smoother, schedule travel between the three towns during off‑peak hours, avoiding the 7–9am and 4–6pm rush. A good itinerary is to explore the first town in the morning, drive to the second around midday, and head to the third in the late afternoon. This ensures that your time on Route 22, the main connector, is spent when traffic is typically lighter.

Before your visit, check the college's official website for a campus map and visitor parking information. Most universities have designated visitor lots or car parks where you can park for a fee. Heading directly to these designated areas is the safest bet, as parking in spaces reserved for staff or students is often strictly enforced and can result in a ticket.

When attending a multi‑venue wedding, always build extra time into your travel schedule, especially at the weekend. Traffic on Route 22 can be unpredictable, so a 20‑minute drive can easily become 40 minutes. For parking, arrive early at each venue to find a spot in the designated lot or a nearby public car park, as spaces can be limited, particularly at historic churches or reception halls.

The best practice is never to leave valuables visible inside your car. Before you arrive at the trailhead or viewpoint, place all bags, electronics and luggage securely in the boot. Always lock your vehicle, even if you only plan to be gone for a few minutes. Parking in well‑trafficked, visible areas can also serve as a natural deterrent.

Major routes like the Pennsylvania Turnpike (I‑476) use an all‑electronic tolling system, meaning there are no cash booths. Most hire cars come equipped with an electronic transponder to handle these tolls automatically. The process for how these tolls are billed is straightforward, and you can confirm the details with the Avis agent at the hire desk when you pick up your vehicle.

Allentown, Bethlehem and Easton all serve as excellent hubs for rerouting. They are strategically located at the crossroads of major routes including I‑78, Route 22, Route 33 and the PA Turnpike. From any of these towns you have easy access to roads heading in any direction. They also offer a full range of amenities like hotels, restaurants and petrol stations to comfortably pause and adjust your travel plans.