I noticed this issue a few weeks ago,I drive 25 miles to work and near the last 3 miles of my trip the car would knock and loose power and when at idle it would seem as though it wanted to stall. After the car sat for my time at work(10hrs) it would run good on the return trip until the last 3 miles and the symptoms returned. I assumed it had something to do after it was running and got hot?? It is now running in this condition all the time,when I press the gas pedal it does not want to go,it runs rough,misses and has little power.

I would do a general tune up. Change your oil and filter and check for any oil leaks, this can cause the "knocking" sound you hear and if it is left to continue you will blow a piston rod.

Change your spark plugs and wires, as well as the distributor or distributorless ignition. Change the Fuel Filter(s) and make sure your battery is less then 2 years old.

Then replace your Thermostat and Thermostat Sensor.

Also, DO NOT drive the car more than 20 miles. If it starts having these problems at 22 miles, then you idly should not drive it for more than 15 miles, IF YOU HAVE TO. Letting the car get that heated up while it is in need of car, is a good way to find yourself looking for a new car in less than a few weeks. Especially with contours. If you continue to drive it, you will crack the block and it won't even be worth $200 in scrap iron.

Park it and get the tune up done and then you should either have a clean running car again, or at least have a clear idea of where to go next. In your model of car, a tune up should cost you from $100-150 in parts if you do it yourself.

Please also take into consideration that if you have driven it for more than a week or two with it's current problems, that you could have already blown the cylinder head gasket or cracked the block.

To check those, you can buy or borrow an Engine Compression Checker. This will tell you if there is a leak that cannot be fixed, if it shows that there is, I would suggest looking for a new vehicle.