National Car Rental
Allentown

If you plan to visit more than one area (Allentown, Bethlehem, Easton) or stay in suburban hotels near the highways, a car makes getting around much faster than relying on limited public transit. If you’re only doing a short, downtown-focused stay with a hotel shuttle and rideshare, you can manage without one. For most visitors using ABE as a base, renting a car is beneficial.

Yes—many hotels, restaurants, and attractions are set up as “a short drive away,” and the region is built around major roads like I-78, Route 22, and the PA Turnpike (I-476). Without a car, simple point-to-point trips can take longer and require more planning. Overall, renting a car is usually the most convenient choice here.

At ABE, rental counters are described as in-terminal near baggage claim/ground transportation, and cars are typically a short walk outside—often with no shuttle needed for on-airport pickup. That makes arriving and getting on the road straightforward compared with airports that require off-site buses. If you want the quickest start to your trip, renting at ABE is beneficial.

A car is especially helpful if you’ll be moving between Bethlehem and nearby areas like Allentown hotels, shopping corridors, or day trips beyond downtown. If you’re staying right in Bethlehem and doing mostly walkable attractions with occasional rideshares, you can skip it. For most multi-stop weekends, renting a car is beneficial.

Local transit exists, but it’s commonly described as limited and less flexible for visitor-style itineraries, especially when you want to move between suburbs, hotels, and multiple towns. A car saves time and avoids transfers and schedule constraints. For typical sightseeing and hotel-hopping, renting a car is beneficial.

Rideshare can work for simple airport-to-hotel trips, but it can be slower late at night and adds up quickly if you’re doing multiple daily runs across the valley. A rental becomes more cost-effective and reliable once you’re making several stops or keeping a packed schedule. For most travelers exploring beyond one neighborhood, renting a car is beneficial.

ABE is about 6 miles from Bethlehem, so it’s a quick drive and easy to base yourself in one place while visiting nearby towns. That short distance makes having your own car feel effortless compared with coordinating multiple rides. If you plan to bounce between Allentown and Bethlehem, renting a car is beneficial.

Any itinerary that includes suburban hotels, shopping areas, or multiple towns (Allentown, Bethlehem, and nearby destinations) is simpler by car than by limited transit. You’ll also have more freedom to detour around traffic or construction. For flexible day-to-day movement, renting a car is beneficial.

You can cover some downtown areas on foot, but many visitor needs—hotels near the airport, attractions spread across the valley, and errands—are typically easier by car. If your entire plan is downtown plus a few rideshares, you can go car-free. For exploring the wider Lehigh Valley, renting a car is beneficial.

Families usually benefit from a rental because it simplifies moving between hotels, meals, and attractions without juggling schedules or multiple rideshares. It also makes it easier to carry strollers, bags, and kid gear. For family travel based around ABE, renting a car is beneficial.

Most visitors find it manageable, but you should expect occasional rough patches like potholes and construction zones and stay alert around pedestrians and cyclists. Compared with major metro driving, congestion is usually milder. For most travelers comfortable driving in the U.S., renting a car is beneficial.

Drivers commonly report bad road sections, potholes, and construction zones, so scanning ahead and leaving extra stopping distance helps. These conditions can influence comfort, especially at night or in bad weather. If you want the easiest driving experience, renting a car is still beneficial but choose a vehicle that feels stable.

Rush hour is generally described as relatively mild, with peak windows around 7–8 am and 5–7 pm. The Pennsylvania Turnpike (I-476) is often the most affected corridor during those times. If you can avoid those windows, renting a car is beneficial and usually low-stress.

Try to skip the typical commuter peaks around 7–8 am and 5–7 pm, especially if your route uses I-476/PA Turnpike. Outside those windows, traffic is usually easier to handle. With basic timing, renting a car is beneficial.

Yes—major events like Musikfest in Bethlehem and the Great Allentown Fair can increase congestion and make travel times longer. If you’re visiting during an event weekend, having a car helps you adjust your schedule and stay in a less congested area. For event season, renting a car is beneficial.

Winter is commonly described as the most dangerous season due to snow and icy roads, so allow more time and drive more conservatively. If you’re not comfortable driving in winter conditions, a hotel shuttle plus limited trips may be easier. For confident winter drivers, renting a car is beneficial.

A compact or midsize car is a practical default for easy parking and everyday highways like I-78 and Route 22. If your plans include rougher roads or you want extra stability, consider an SUV. For typical city-and-suburb trips, renting a car is beneficial and a standard car works well.

An SUV can be helpful if you expect rough roads, potholes, or winter weather and want more ground clearance and stability. If you’re mostly commuting between hotels, downtown areas, and highways, a regular sedan is usually fine and cheaper to park. For most travelers, renting a car is beneficial, and an SUV is optional.

A smaller car is easier to maneuver and park, especially around busier downtown blocks and garages. Larger vehicles can be comfortable for groups, but they may feel less convenient in tight spots. For most couples or solo travelers, renting a car is beneficial and a compact is a smart choice.

You’ll find a mix of street parking plus garages and lots, which is helpful when downtown street spaces are full. Street parking is commonly described as paid Monday–Saturday, with free hours overnight (about 9 pm–7 am) and free on Sundays. If you plan to drive between multiple areas, renting a car is beneficial and parking is generally manageable.

Costs and availability vary by block and event schedules, and downtown areas can tighten up during peak weekends. Using garages/lots can save time when street spaces are limited. For getting around efficiently, renting a car is beneficial even if you sometimes choose paid parking.

Many airport-area and suburban hotels typically offer parking and are designed for guests arriving by car. Downtown properties are more likely to charge, especially during busy periods, so it’s worth checking before you commit. If you’re staying near ABE, renting a car is beneficial and usually easy to park.

Downtown parking can cost more than suburban areas, and events can make it busier, so you may pay extra for a garage or hotel parking. If your itinerary is mostly local and walkable, you can skip the car to avoid those fees. If you’re exploring beyond downtown, renting a car is still beneficial despite occasional parking costs.

The toll system in Pennsylvania is described as extensive, and routes involving the PA Turnpike (I-476) can add toll costs. Planning routes ahead can help you balance speed versus toll expenses. If you’ll be moving around a lot, renting a car is beneficial, just budget for tolls.

Often yes, because major non-toll routes like I-78 and Route 22 cover a lot of common trips, though some detours can take longer. If you’re trying to minimize costs, you can usually route around the Turnpike. For flexible routing, renting a car is beneficial.

Drivers are advised to watch for pedestrians and cyclists, plus deer crossings in some areas, especially at dawn, dusk, and on darker roads. Combine that with potholes and construction, and defensive driving matters. With reasonable caution, renting a car is beneficial.

Many hotels near ABE are typically about a 5–15 minute drive, and downtown Allentown is often around 10–20 minutes depending on traffic and events. That short driving time makes a rental practical even for quick trips. For efficient transfers, renting a car is beneficial.

If you have a rental, airport-area hotels can be a convenient base with easier parking and quick highway access to multiple towns. If you’re skipping the car, staying downtown can reduce your need to drive and park. For most itineraries that include multiple stops, renting a car and staying near ABE is beneficial.

Likely yes, because moving between towns, hotels, and attractions is usually faster by car than coordinating transit connections. A rental also lets you adjust plans when traffic or events change. For a multi-town visit, renting a car is beneficial.

Yes—ABE puts you close to major highways, which makes it easy to turn your trip into a loop of nearby destinations without backtracking. If your itinerary includes multiple stops in one day, a car is the simplest way to do it. For day-trip flexibility, renting a car is beneficial.

During big event seasons, traffic and lodging patterns can shift, and having a car helps you stay farther out while still reaching what you want to do. In winter, a car can still be useful, but only if you’re comfortable driving in snow/ice. For peak weekends and busy seasons, renting a car is beneficial.

Pricing trends commonly show February as one of the cheapest months, while summer peaks (often July or August depending on the dataset) tend to cost more. If you’re traveling in peak summer or festival periods, reserving earlier can help. For value and availability, renting a car is beneficial when planned ahead.

Travel pricing data often suggests booking weeks to a few months ahead (commonly cited ranges include about 4–12 weeks or more) for better-than-average prices. This matters more during summer and major event weekends. If your dates are fixed, renting a car is beneficial and booking early is recommended.

Yes—ABE is positioned for quick access to the region’s main corridors, which is one reason the area is considered car-oriented. That makes it straightforward to base near the airport and branch out by car. For efficient regional access, renting a car is beneficial.

While pickup is generally convenient in-terminal, reviews and traveler experiences sometimes mention delays during busy periods like holidays. Building a buffer is smart if you have a meeting or event shortly after landing. For maintaining schedule control, renting a car is beneficial, just allow extra time.

Late arrivals can be tricky if a counter is closed, so confirm hours if you expect to land very late. If you can’t guarantee pickup timing, using a hotel shuttle for the first night and renting the next morning can reduce stress. For most trips, renting a car is beneficial, but late-night pickups are optional if hours don’t align.

Night driving is generally manageable, but potholes, construction zones, and deer crossings can be harder to spot after dark. Stick to well-lit main roads when possible and slow down on unfamiliar routes. With basic caution, renting a car is beneficial even if you’ll drive at night.

If your meetings are near the airport corridor, a car can be convenient for time control and quick point-to-point travel. If everything is at one hotel with shuttles and you’ll only do a couple of rideshare trips, you can skip it. For most business itineraries with multiple stops, renting a car is beneficial.

ABE’s rental return is on the airport campus and well-signed, so it’s typically a simple drive-in drop-off. The small-airport layout generally makes it less complicated than larger hubs. For smooth departures, renting a car is beneficial and returning it is usually easy.

The biggest advantage is flexibility: the region is spread out, public transit is limited, and many popular stops are easiest to reach by a short drive. A car also helps you adjust to event traffic, avoid long waits for rideshares, and explore multiple towns in one trip. For most visitors flying into ABE, renting a car is beneficial.