Understanding Allentown's geography
Why Allentown's drive times defy radius math.
South Mountain (Blue Mountain ridge) limits southward expansion past the Route 309 corridor, while the Lehigh River crossings at Hamilton Boulevard and US-22 can bottleneck during peak hours and add minutes to cross-river trips. I-78 east toward the Delaware River opens the Lehigh Valley to strong distribution and commuter traffic with minimal impedance.
The Route 100/MacArthur Road corridor north of Allentown and the Route 222 south corridor toward Kutztown are the two primary growth axes for residential development. Franchise operators should note that the Wescosville and Lower Macungie Township nodes along US-222 south of Hamilton Boulevard have the highest income concentrations and fastest new household formation.