Drivable short-term, but fix now to avoid damage.
P0301 means the engine computer detected that cylinder number 1 is misfiring. That cylinder isn't burning its air-fuel mixture properly, so it loses power and the engine runs unevenly. Because it points to one specific cylinder, the cause is usually a worn part on that cylinder like its spark plug, coil, or injector.
$80 – $450
Varies by vehicle and root cause.
Only short distances and gently. If the engine light is flashing, stop driving immediately to protect the catalytic converter and have the car towed.
Often inexpensive: a single spark plug or coil for cylinder 1 typically runs $80-$300 with labor. A fuel injector or compression-related repair can cost more.
It can be. Even one misfiring cylinder can overheat and damage the catalytic converter, so it's best to fix it soon rather than ignore it.
Cylinder 1 is the first cylinder in your engine's firing order, and its location varies by engine. A repair manual or technician can identify it, but the code already tells you exactly where to focus.