PA 462 enters the city of Lancaster and splits into a one-way pair at Race Avenue, with the eastbound direction continuing along two-way, two-lane Columbia Avenue and the westbound direction following West Walnut Street, which carries two lanes of one-way westbound traffic concurrent with westbound PA 23. PA 23 splits from westbound PA 462 by heading west along Marietta Avenue. A few blocks later, eastbound PA 462 heads from Columbia Avenue onto West King Street, which carries two lanes of one-way traffic eastbound. Eastbound PA 462 continues along West King Street and westbound PA 23/PA 462 continues along West Walnut Street, with eastbound PA 23 following West Chestnut Street one block south of westbound PA 23/PA 462. The one-way pair continues east through urban residential areas. Eastbound PA 462 intersects the eastern terminus of PA 999 at Manor Street. The route heads into the commercial downtown of Lancaster, where it intersects one-way southbound US 222/PA 272 at Prince Street. A short distance later, PA 462 crosses one-way northbound PA 72 at Queen Street. The eastbound direction along King Street intersects Queen Street at Penn Square, where the Soldiers and Sailors Monument is located. The Central Market is located to the northwest of the square and the Lancaster County Convention Center is to the southeast of the square. Past this intersection, the route becomes East King Street eastbound and East Walnut Street westbound, with the eastbound direction passing south of the Lancaster County Courthouse west of the Duke Street intersection. The one-way pair intersects one-way northbound US 222/PA 272 at North Lime Street at the east end of downtown. Following this, PA 462 passes more homes and industrial establishments in the eastern part of the city. At North Broad Street, westbound PA 462 splits from westbound PA 23, and the two directions of PA 462 rejoin along East King Street.