USA HISTORY

Detailed explanation-1: -The railroad, which stretched nearly 2, 000 miles between Iowa, Nebraska and California, reduced travel time across the West from about six months by wagon or 25 days by stagecoach to just four days.

Detailed explanation-2: -The covered wagon made 8 to 20 miles per day depending upon weather, roadway conditions and the health of the travelers. It could take up to six months or longer to reach their destination.

Detailed explanation-3: -The classic overland trip from the Midwest to Oregon and California was lengthy and very difficult. It was approximately a 2, 000 mile trip. In good weather, a wagon train would complete the journey in five months. However, heavy rains were known to make the typical trip last around six months.

Detailed explanation-4: -Between 1840 and 1860, from 300, 000 to 400, 000 travelers used the 2, 000-mile overland route to reach Willamette Valley, Puget Sound, Utah, and California destinations. The journey took up to six months, with wagons making between ten and twenty miles per day of travel.

Detailed explanation-5: -The length of the wagon trail from the Missouri River to Sacramento, California was about 1, 950 miles (3, 138 km). It normally took four to six months to traverse the length of the California Trail with covered wagons pulled by oxen.