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Hire A Car In Allentown For Competitive Prices And Easy Regional Travel

Use this practical, UK-focused guide to compare great-value car hire options in Allentown, United States, with clear pick-up advice, location tips, and fee/insurance guidance to help you drive with confidence.

UK Traveller Essentials
Allentown Car Hire Guide: Where To Pick Up And What To Expect
Hiring a car in Allentown is one of the most convenient ways to explore the Lehigh Valley and beyond, particularly if you plan to visit Bethlehem/Easton, the Pocono Mountains, or make day trips towards Philadelphia or New Jersey. Public transport is limited for cross-town and regional journeys, so having your own vehicle can save time and provide flexibility. UK travellers should plan for right-hand traffic, larger junctions, and the common use of highways; also budget for potential taxes, airport surcharges, and optional extras such as tolling programmes. Most rentals accept a full UK driving licence, and an International Driving Permit is typically not required in Pennsylvania, but it can be useful as supporting identification. Always confirm age requirements, deposit levels, and insurance coverage before you travel.
Alamo
Avis
National
Dollar
Thrifty
Budget
+ more
Lehigh Valley International Airport (ABE) Car Rental Facilities
Most convenient pick-up for arrivals. Follow signs for “Ground Transportation/Car Rentals” after baggage claim. Major brands are typically located on-airport or a short walk/quick shuttle depending on provider and terminal layout. Pros: longest opening hours, broadest vehicle choice, easy after-hours returns. Cons: airport concession fees and slightly higher daily rates are common.
Allentown City Centre (Hamilton Street & Business District Area)
Good for travellers staying centrally who prefer to avoid airport surcharges. Pros: often cheaper base rates, easier to reach on foot from central hotels, quicker pick-up if you’re already in town. Cons: shorter opening hours, smaller fleet (fewer SUVs/automatics at peak times), and parking/one-way systems can be busier during commuting hours.
Lehigh Valley Mall / Whitehall Retail Corridor Area
Convenient if you’re staying north of the city or want easy access to major roads. Pros: straightforward driving routes, ample parking for pick-up and drop-off, sometimes better availability for family-size vehicles. Cons: less convenient without a car to reach the branch, and returns can be awkward if you’re heading straight to the airport afterwards.
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Best Car Hire Deals in Allentown for Your Road Trip Adventure

Discover the perfect wheels for your Lehigh Valley exploration. From rugged mountain roads to vibrant city streets, find your ideal ride and hit the highway with confidence.

By Trip Type
Popular Makes

Winter

SUV

Conquer Snowy Roads with Confidence
5
3
Auto

Allentown winters bring icy conditions and occasional snow showers, particularly on routes to the Poconos and surrounding mountain passes. An SUV provides superior traction, higher ground clearance, and the reassurance of stability when navigating Lehigh Valley's winter roads. Perfect for reaching ski resorts and enjoying snowy landscapes safely.

Mountain

Pickup Truck

Rugged Power for Appalachian Trails
5
4
Auto

The rolling hills of the Lehigh Valley and nearby Appalachian routes demand a vehicle with robust performance and elevated driving position. A pickup truck handles gravel paths, forest drives, and uneven terrain with ease while offering ample space for outdoor gear, camping equipment, or hunting supplies during your Pennsylvania adventure.

City

Medium

Nimble Explorer for Urban Adventures
5
2
Auto

Navigating Philadelphia's bustling streets or New York City's iconic avenues requires a compact, easy-to-park vehicle. A medium sedan strikes the ideal balance between interior comfort and city practicality, offering smooth motorway cruising from Allentown while making parallel parking and tight urban manoeuvres effortless throughout your metropolitan explorations.

Choose Your Ride

Find the perfect vehicle for your trip. Compare options below.

Airport Pick-up (ABE)
Downtown Pick-up

Why Choose Airport Pick-up In Allentown

Airport pick-up at Lehigh Valley International (ABE) suits UK travellers landing and driving immediately. You’ll usually find the widest range of cars (including automatics and larger vehicles), longer opening hours, and simpler returns—especially for early flights. The trade-off is that airport rentals often include concession fees and facility charges, so compare the total price rather than the headline daily rate.

logo
City nipSmall
Kia Soul

Kia Soul

BudgetIn terminal, Walk to counter
5
1
4
Auto
Cancellationcancellation fees apply
Deposit$516.58 - $616.58
MileageUnlimited
PaymentCredit Card, Debit card
Check Rates
logo
City nipSmall
Kia Soul

Kia Soul

AvisIn terminal, Walk to counter
5
1
4
Auto
Cancellationcancellation fees apply
Deposit$542.60 - $642.60
MileageUnlimited
PaymentCredit Card, Debit card
Check Rates
logo
City nipSmall
Kia Soul

Kia Soul

AvisIn terminal, Walk to counter
5
1
4
Auto
Cancellationcancellation fees apply
Deposit$300.00
MileageUnlimited
PaymentCredit Card
Check Rates
logo
Motorway mile-muncherLarge
Toyota Camry

Toyota Camry

BudgetIn terminal, Walk to counter
5
3
4
Auto
Cancellationcancellation fees apply
Deposit$523.59 - $623.59
MileageUnlimited
PaymentCredit Card, Debit card
Check Rates
logo
Motorway mile-muncherLarge
Toyota Camry

Toyota Camry

AvisIn terminal, Walk to counter
5
3
4
Auto
Cancellationcancellation fees apply
Deposit$550.48 - $650.48
MileageUnlimited
PaymentCredit Card, Debit card
Check Rates
logo
Motorway mile-muncherLarge
Toyota Camry

Toyota Camry

AlamoIn terminal, Walk to counter
5
3
4
Auto
Cancellationcancellation fees apply
Deposit$400.00 - $850.00
MileageUnlimited
PaymentCredit Card, Debit card
Check Rates
logo
Four-season gripSUV
Mazda CX-5

Mazda CX-5

BudgetIn terminal, Walk to counter
5
3
4
Auto
Cancellationcancellation fees apply
Deposit$549.29 - $649.29
MileageUnlimited
PaymentCredit Card, Debit card
Check Rates
logo
Four-season gripSUV
Mazda Cx-50

Mazda Cx-50

BudgetIn terminal, Walk to counter
5
3
4
Auto
Cancellationcancellation fees apply
Deposit$549.29 - $649.29
MileageUnlimited
PaymentCredit Card, Debit card
Check Rates
logo
Four-season gripSUV
Mazda Cx-50

Mazda Cx-50

AvisIn terminal, Walk to counter
5
3
4
Auto
Cancellationcancellation fees apply
Deposit$558.37 - $608.37
MileageUnlimited
PaymentCredit Card
Check Rates

Allentown ABE Car Rental Ratings from Verified Drivers

Compare genuine customer reviews on service, pricing and vehicle condition at Allentown's top car hire suppliers before you book.

Rental companyRatingAvg. Daily RatePickup Method/DistanceSecurity depositAccepts Debit CardsKey Advantages
National
2.9
57 reviews
$83In terminal, Walk to counter
$400
  • Emerald Club car selection
  • Quick airport pickup
  • Friendly professional staff
Hertz
2.9
17000+ reviews
$86In terminal, Walk to counterLow deposit
  • Professional and friendly service
  • Transparent and competitive pricing
  • Efficient and fast process
Thrifty
1.8
3700+ reviews
$60Shuttle busLow deposit
  • Friendly and helpful counter staff
  • Quick and efficient pick-up process
  • Clean and well-maintained vehicles
Alamo
1.8
3000+ reviews
$73In terminal, Walk to counter
$400
  • Professional staff assistance
  • Fast pickup and return
  • Friendly customer service
Enterprise
1.8
23,900+ reviews
$88In terminal, Walk to counter
$400
  • Smooth Pickup Process
  • Friendly Helpful Staff
  • Clean Well-Maintained Vehicles
Dollar
1.4
3300+ reviews
$59In terminal, Walk to counterLow deposit
  • Smooth pickup and return process
  • Professional and helpful staff
  • Easy reservation experience
Budget
1.2
5691+ reviews
$50In terminal, Walk to counterLow deposit
  • Excellent roadside assistance
  • Friendly helpful staff
  • Smooth pick-up process
Avis
1.2
99 reviews
$51In terminal, Walk to counter
$300 - $585
  • Great price booking online
  • Outstanding service at airport
  • No hidden extra charges

*Rating and review data are sourced from Trustpilot. Policy details may vary by location and vehicle type. Please confirm at the time of booking.

Data source: QEEQ Car Rental
Last updated: Jun. 26 2026
Essential Rental Hub
Everything you need to know before you drive off. Select a topic to get the full brakdown.
A Brit's Guide to Fueling Hire Cars in the USA
This guide simplifies the process of filling up a hire car with petrol in the USA for British visitors, covering terminology, payment methods, and step-by-step instructions.
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A Brit's Guide to Fueling Your Rental Car in the USA
This guide helps UK travellers navigate American petrol stations and refuel their rental cars confidently, covering payment processes, fuel types, and essential tips.
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Platform Insights

Car Rental Expert Advice

By QEEQ Platform Expert Team

Expertise Metrics

Platform Recognition

Asia's Best Car Rental Booking Website 2023&2024

Booking Volume

Review Quality

10,000+ verified 5-star reviews

Market Experience

Data Authority

Expertise Verification

QEEQ data verified against local official data sources

Key Expert Insights

Platform Analysis

"Three firms control 94% of the US car rental market: Enterprise, Avis Budget Group, and Hertz, with on-airport pickups commanding 55% market share and adding 20-30% in fees."

Booking Patterns

"Economy cars dominate at $44/day average, while US rates swing 43% seasonally from $44 (January) to $78 (July); booking 1 month ahead saves $10/day versus 6+ months early."

Customer Pain Points

"89% of travellers report concerns about being exploited when hiring cars, with hidden fees affecting 52% of customers and $2 billion collected in optional add-on fees in 2024."

Data Sources

  • QEEQ internal booking databse
  • Statista Market Forecast - Car Rentals United States
  • Grand View Research - U.S. Car Rental Market Size & Share
  • IBISWorld - Car Rental in the US Industry Analysis 2025
  • KAYAK - Best Time to Rent a Car and Save Money
  • Carla - Pricing Analysis: 121,000 Car Rentals
  • Enterprise Apps Today - Car Rental Statistics 2024
  • Which? - Undercover Investigation Car Hire Firms
  • Car Coach Reports - Hidden Fees and Fake Damage Claims
  • Consumer Reports - Auto Europe 2023 Study

Road Trips

One-way rental routes starting from Allentown

Plan your ultimate road trip with these popular one-way routes departing from Allentown

Drive Allentown: Essential US Road Trip Guide

Everything you need to know about driving in Allentown, Pennsylvania - from road rules to fuel costs and car hire deals

LANGUAGES

English

CURRENCY

USD

DRIVE ON

Right-hand side

COUNTRY CODE

+1

AVERAGE CAR RENTAL PRICE

$57 per day

AVERAGE CAR RENTAL LENGTH

7 days

SPEED LIMIT WITHIN TOWN

32-56 km/h (20-35 mph)

SPEED LIMIT OUT OF TOWN

89-113 km/h (55-70 mph)

ACCEPTABLE LIMIT OF BAC

0.08% (Strictly Enforced)

AVERAGE GAS PRICE

$1.08/L ($4.086/gal)

LOWEST / HIGHEST GAS PRICE

$0.92/L - $1.49/L ($3.50/gal - $5.64/gal)

Allentown Car Rental Guide

Essential driving and car rental FAQs for exploring Allentown and the Lehigh Valley

Can I drive in Allentown with my foreign licence, or do I need an International Driving Permit?
Your foreign driving licence is valid in Pennsylvania, but an International Driving Permit (IDP) is strongly recommended. The IDP translates your licence into English and is required by most rental companies. If your licence isn't in English, you may be asked to present both the original and IDP at pick-up. Allow 2-3 weeks to obtain an IDP in your home country before travelling.
How do Pennsylvania toll roads work, and should I rent an E-ZPass transponder?
Pennsylvania's turnpikes use E-ZPass electronic tolling—you'll see cash lanes disappearing fast. If you're driving beyond the immediate Allentown area, an E-ZPass is worthwhile: rental transponders cost around £5-8 per day plus tolls at 50-70% of cash rates. For a weekend trip to New York or Philadelphia, tolls can easily reach £15-25 without one. Ask your rental company about adding it to your vehicle.
I'm 22—will I face a young driver surcharge, and how much is it?
Yes. Most US rental companies charge a 'young driver fee' for drivers aged 21-24, typically adding £20-30 per day on top of the base rate. At 22, expect to pay this surcharge, which can add £140-210 to a week's rental. Some premium and sports cars have minimum age 25. Always check the full cost breakdown before booking.
What winter driving precautions should I take around Allentown?
Allentown sees significant snow from December through February, with temperatures dropping to -5°C to -10°C. Snow tires are not legally required but are highly recommended on rural routes into the Poconos or Lehigh Valley mountains. Carry an ice scraper, flashlight, and roadside emergency kit. If heavy snow is forecast, consider postponing mountain routes—interstate highways are plowed promptly but secondary roads can be treacherous.
What type of fuel do I need, and will I get a full-to-full policy?
Almost all vehicles in Pennsylvania run on regular unleaded gasoline (87-89 octane). Full-to-full policies are standard: collect the car full, return it full to avoid sky-high refuelling charges at up to £2 per litre. Gas stations are plentiful in the Allentown area but can be sparse in rural surrounding areas. Budget around £45-60 to fill a typical sedan tank.
How expensive is parking in downtown Allentown, and what are the rules?
On-street metered parking costs £1-2 per hour in central areas. City parking garages offer better value for extended stays at £8-15 per day. Most residential streets allow free parking but check signs carefully—street cleaning schedules and permit zones can catch you out. Parking tickets range from £20-50 if you overstay or park illegally.

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