pittsburgh: If I had a boat and started in the Ohio River in Pittsburgh and sailed into the Mississippi and down to the end of it in Louisiana, how long would that take? I know it would be a while mainly because of the locks and dams, but what would be a rough estimate? I was thinking maybe a month, but I'm not entirely sure - I've been trying to figure this out for a few days and yahoo answers is my last resort. Any information would be awesome! Thanks everybody!|||You couldn't navigate it on water alone. Locks and Dams are along the route. Your boat would need to be taken out of the water and taken around the obstacles. Small passenger recreational boats are not allowed to use all the lock systems. At the Falls of the Ohio in Louisville KY I am certain your boat would have to be moved over land. Before anyone ask I know there is no water fall there any longer, a lock system closed it off year and years ago. The Current is in your favor and without the aide of anything you should move 5-12 miles per hour for 1,310 miles for the OH river , would be 4.5 to 6 days, with a sail 2.5-5 days depending on wind. From the MS river near Cairo IL your looking at about 1000 miles of water adding another 3-5 days depending on type of power or just drifting.|||This "Best Answer" is all wrong. All boats of any size may lock through the Locks on the Ohio River, including the McAlpine Lock at the Falls of the Ohio. The current normally runs at 2 to 3 miles per hour. The time it would take depends on the boat. A canoe will take much longer than a powerboat. Report Abuse |||I'd add that the Ohio is only 981 miles long from Pittsburgh to the Mississippi, not 1,310 mi. RiversRME is correct in that any boat can lock thru every one of the 18 high-lift & the 2 low head locks and dams on the Ohio. I'd give an avg of 1 hour per lockage, then you're free-flowing to the Gulf. Report Abuse