Trying to get around town during the 2026 NFL Draft — dodging road closures and maneuvering through traffic — could test even the most prepared drivers. Public officials have told Pittsburghers “don’t drive,” but life goes on. Here’s an early outlook for navigating the city, whether it be to work, to the hospital, or just to escape.
I work in Oakland. Can I get there?
There aren’t any planned road closures in Oakland. If you’re driving and you live in the eastern part of the city or suburbs, there shouldn’t be any disruption to your travel aside from whatever traffic a surge of people brings to town. For those on the south and west, the routes should be clear unless you travel across the Smithfield Street Bridge, which will be closed starting on April 22 through April 25.
If you live on the northern end of the city or suburbs and must cross the draft footprint on the North Side or Downtown, Route 65 and Interstate 279 will be open but certain ramps will be closed, including I-279 north and southbound ramps at the exit 1B, and the Route 65 north and southbound ramps to the Ft. Duquesne Bridge. The Sixth (Clemente) and Seventh (Warhol) Street Bridges will also close starting April 22, so pay attention to the detours.
What about Downtown?
There are a number of road closures Downtown, including Penn Avenue and Liberty Avenue as well as the Ft. Pitt Bridge on-ramp from the 10th Street Bypass to Ft. Duquesne Boulevard, so expect congestion if driving through the area.
Most bus routes will run on a Saturday schedule throughout the draft, but Pittsburgh Regional Transit will have expanded service from April 22 to April 25 around Downtown and the North Side. For example, the airport flyer will run more frequently and the red and blue lines of the T will run every 15 minutes. High-ridership routes, such as the east and west busways, will run on weekday schedules. And there’s new “Football Flyer” routes to take riders through Downtown and around the event site on the North Side.
Rides on the T, the Monongahela Incline and PRT’s Football Flyer routes will be free from April 23-25, thanks to Sheetz. For the most up-to-date information, check PRT’s transit app before heading out.
What if I have to get to a hospital?
Aside from unpredictable traffic, most of the hospitals in the region and in Oakland should be accessible, but again check the road closure map and a navigation app for the most up-to-date information regarding traffic conditions.
There are many street closures around Allegheny General Hospital, but the hospital is open and the building will be accessible for patients. During the draft, AHN will also have a mobile clinic in Market Square and a “medical fort” near Acrisure Stadium to deal with game-time medical issues.
Can I get anywhere on the North Side?
Oof. Well, it’s possible to get there by car, but expect to sit in traffic and navigate a series of detours with your phone transit app re-routing, re-routing … re-routing. Again, bridges will be closed and all of the main throughways around the North Shore will be shut down to traffic, but I-279 and Route 65 will be open except for select ramps, and there will be detours through side streets. Check the map of road closures and keep your favorite navigation app turned up loud.
Transit and/or biking and walking will be the best options for getting around the North Side, at least in the areas near the stadium — the roads near Riverview Park or Brighton Heights might be a breeze. PRT has expanded T service on the red and blue lines and a special event “football flyer” bus route that leads into the thick of the event.
What if I want to go out in Lawrenceville on Saturday night but I live in Mount Lebanon?
Who knows what the crowds or traffic might look like, but taking Route 19 through the Liberty Tunnel to Interstate 579 north across Veteran’s Bridge and onto Route 28 doesn’t hit any of the planned road closures. Taking the T into Downtown, followed by a transfer to a 91 bus would also work — check the app for schedules.
I might want to go to the zoo.
It’s unclear what traffic on the major roadways will look like during the draft, but plan for a slower drive. Most routes (except those coming from the North Side near the stadium or through the heart of Downtown) don’t include a road closure. Buses stop at the Pittsburgh Zoo and Aquarium — 500, 71B — or nearby — 87 and 91. Once there, look up and spot the zoo’s number one draft — ahem, giraffe — pick, Lewis.
Before leaving the house or the office, if you’re driving, check your navigation app of choice for traffic conditions or detours. Here’s a map of all the road closures:
Pittsburgh Organizing Committee
Roads will close in phases between March 28 and May 10.
If you’re using public transit, download PRT’s transit app to figure out which route to take and about how long it should take to get there. Here’s a map of their draft-related routes:
Pittsburgh Regional Transit
Pittsburgh Regional Transit will expand service to move fans during the NFL Draft.
If you’re able to bike or walk, there might be a little rain but otherwise conditions look pleasant.
And Pittsburghers shouldn’t shift into autopilot behind the wheel after the draft moves on. The Pittsburgh Marathon and its road closures arrive the first weekend in May.