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The advantages of the Oregon Territory were legion. It was populated by very few people. It had reliable rainfall, copious timber, and fertile soil. Its inhabitants didn’t suffer from malaria and other endemic diseases that still killed many in the 19th century.
What were the advantages and disadvantages of traveling west by wagon train? Advantages were that there were many people traveling this way in lines of wagons so they could help each other. Disadvantages were that it was a harsh way to travel, there were dangers and many faced sickness and accidents.
1 Pro: Established Route. The biggest pro in favor of taking the Oregon Trail was that it was an established route with many other pioneers taking it.
Over time, conditions along the Oregon Trail improved. Bridges and ferries were built to make water crossings safer. Settlements and additional supply posts appeared along the way which gave weary travelers a place to rest and regroup.
The overland journey from Independence, Missouri, to Oregon or California meant a six-month trip across 2,000 miles of hard country. It was costly—as much as $1,000 for a family of four.
Late one afternoon in July 1864, a party of American Indians rode up to a small wagon train on the Oregon Trail and, using signs, asked in a friendly way for something to eat. The emigrant party consisted of only 11 people in five wagons.
The wagon train would travel at around two miles an hour. This enabled the emigrants to average ten miles a day. With good weather the 2,000 mile journey from Missouri to California and Oregon would take about five months. However, heavy rains would increase this by several weeks. These wagons rarely had springs.
If your wagon broke an axle, there was someone else with a spare you could barter for. If you ran short on food, there was an outpost along the way with extra supplies. In addition, your guide did not need to be exceptionally skilled as all you had to do was follow the dirt track, thus lessening the chance of getting lost.