How Would Your Life Adapt Without the Option to Drive?
Across the county, 30% of the population does not drive a car.
Allegheny County car ownership costs $10,229 per year or $852 per month, with an estimated annual range of $6,474 – $12,954. For comparison, the PRT Annual Pass is $1,072 per year.
Full Car Ownership Cost Breakdown – Pittsburgh
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Auto Insurance – $1,647 annually or $137 per month
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Gas and Fuel – $2,164 annually or $180 per month
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Depreciation – $3,674 annually or $306 per month
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Financing/Interest – $1,370 or $114 per month
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Maintenance and Repairs – $1,435 annually or $120 per month
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Parking and Tolls – $1,114 annually or $93 per month
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Registration and Fees – $441 annually or $37 per month
Total – $11,845 annually or $987 per month
Whether we live in suburban towns or city neighborhoods, everyone in Allegheny County deserves safe, reliable, dignified access to the places we need to go. The Week Without Driving is a nationwide movement to link the needs of disabled individuals and people of all ages with environmental movements and accessible community planning.
How Does The Challenge Work?
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Every Trip Counts
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You can get around however you want, but the challenge is not to drive yourself in any car. This applies to all your activities — not just your work commute. If you normally transport other family members or friends, it applies to those trips too.
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Asking or Paying for Rides
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You can ask someone else to drive you, but make a note of how much you “owe” this person in their time, and if you felt obligated to support them in other ways (ie, doing all the dishes). You can ride hail or taxis if they exist where you need to go, but again, think about how the cost could impact your decision to take this trip if this was regularly your only option.
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Who Has Choices, What Are Your Choices?
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This isn’t a disability simulation or a test of how easily you can find alternatives. We know that it is far easier to give up your keys if you can afford to live in a walkable area well served by transit, or can outsource your driving and other transport and delivery needs to other people.
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It’s Okay to Drive – But Reflect What That Means for Nondrivers
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Having to drive during the challenge does not signify failure. Sometimes the best reflection comes when someone participating in the challenge has to drive. The point is to consider how someone without that option would have coped, and what choices they might have made.
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About Week Without Driving PGH
Whether due to disability, age, or income – non-drivers come from all walks of life. The Week Without Driving was developed by disability advocates in Washington state and is now a national initiative, led by America Walks and the National Campaign for Transit Justice.
Locally, we’re proud to join this movement to raise awareness for greater mobility needs in every community. With Pittsburgh Regional Transit’s proposed funding cuts, as well as our incomplete bike network, insufficient ACCESS services, and our region’s ever-evolving need for sidewalk improvements, the lack of investment in safe and accessible mobility options for non-drivers leaves too many residents stranded and struggling to access basic needs. Nationally, this is also the unfortunate reality as the federal government continues deprioritizing traffic safety and public transit.
We need your stories now more than ever.
Week Without Driving PGH is hosted locally by Pittsburghers for Public Transit, Access Mob Pittsburgh, BikePGH, Age-Friendly Greater Pittsburgh, and Complete Streets at Pitt.
Week Without Driving PGH runs from October 1 to October 8, 2026
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2026 Press Conference: October 1 – 9:00 AM – Tentatively at Schenley Plaza in Oakland
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Kick off Week Without Driving PGH with community leaders, advocates, public officials, and partner organizations highlighting the importance of accessible, equitable transportation.
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Transportation Challenge: October 9 – 4:00 PM meet, 4:30 PM start – Station Square
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Participants walking, biking, and taking public transit will take different routes to compare real-world transportation experiences. Community members, elected officials, advocates, and media are invited to observe and participate.
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