Settlers moving westward in the 19th century United States primarily traveled along the Oregon Trail and the California Trail. These routes facilitated migration toward fertile lands, opportunities for farming, and the Gold Rush in California. The journey was arduous and fraught with challenges, including harsh weather conditions, disease, and conflicts with Native American tribes. Many travelers utilized covered wagons, which offered limited protection from the elements. The Westward Expansion significantly shaped American culture and economy, leading to the establishment of new settlements, the displacement of Indigenous populations, and contributing to the ideology of Manifest Destiny.