Easton Group Transportation: Centre Square, Lafayette, the Free Bridge, and Two Rivers

Easton is the Northampton County seat and the easternmost city of the Lehigh Valley, built on a slope between the Lehigh River, the Delaware River, and College Hill. Centre Square, with the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Monument at its center, anchors a compact downtown of restaurants, the State Theatre Center for the Arts, the Crayola Experience, and the Easton Public Market. The Easton Farmers’ Market, which dates its founding to 1752, sets up in and around the square on Saturdays in season. Lafayette College occupies College Hill directly above downtown, with Fisher Stadium and a steep, narrow street grid connecting it to the city. Scott Park and the Delaware riverfront host summer festivals. Three crossings link Easton to Phillipsburg, New Jersey: the free Northampton Street bridge from downtown, the tolled US 22 Easton–Phillipsburg bridge, and the tolled Interstate 78 bridge to the south, all operated by the Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission. LANTA buses serve the city. Lehigh Valley International Airport (ABE) is about 15 miles west, and Newark Liberty is roughly 60 miles east on Interstate 78.

Heritage Day in July commemorates Easton’s 1776 public reading of the Declaration of Independence with a downtown festival and fireworks over the river, and the Easton Garlic Fest in October and Bacon Fest in November close Centre Square and nearby blocks. The Easton Farmers’ Market operates Saturdays in season around the square. The State Theatre books touring concerts, comedy, and Broadway series, and the Crayola Experience draws family crowds on school holidays. Lafayette College football at Fisher Stadium runs September through November, with the Lafayette–Lehigh rivalry game alternating between the two campuses the Saturday before Thanksgiving, and May commencement fills hotels. Summer concerts at Scott Park and events at the Easton Public Market round out the calendar.

What affects the price

Easton totals move with downtown closures, College Hill grades, and the airport decision. Festival weekends close Centre Square and push loading to outer streets, and Lafayette game days fill College Hill’s steep, narrow grid. A leg into New Jersey adds a Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission toll on US 22 or Interstate 78 unless the free Northampton Street bridge is used. ABE is a short run, while Newark Liberty adds 60 miles each way and New Jersey tolls. Ask providers to itemize minimum hours, deadhead, mileage, tolls, parking, waiting, gratuity, and overtime. Availability varies by date, vehicle, and provider; confirm in writing.

Timing and seasonality

Heritage Day in July, the Garlic Fest in October, and Bacon Fest in November close Centre Square and surrounding blocks, and the Saturday farmers’ market narrows the square in season. Lafayette College football runs September through November with the Lafayette–Lehigh game the Saturday before Thanksgiving, and May commencement fills hotels. The Crayola Experience is busiest on school holidays and summer weekends. Delaware and Lehigh river flooding has closed riverfront roads and bridges in past storms, and winter ice makes College Hill difficult for large vehicles. Check city, college, bridge commission, and 511PA notices before the date.