Major Overland Routes To The

WestBy: Alex Michel

The Purpose

• The purpose of most of these trails were to expand west.

• Also, some trails were use for trading purposes.

• These trails started to be widely used in the 1860’s.

• The Oregon Trail, The Santa Fe Trail, and The Overland Trail are the three major routes.

A Map of the Main Routes

The Oregon Trail• The Oregon Trail was the biggest trail to the

west. It opened in 1842 and by 1845 over 3,000 migrants traveled over it.

• The trail is 2,000 miles long and was very dangerous.

• It stretched from Independence, Missouri to Salt Lake City, Utah and Sacramento, California.

Oregon Trail (cont.)

• The Oregon trail cut through the states of Oregon, Idaho, Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, and Wyoming.

• However, if it weren’t for the trail, we wouldn’t have discovered California or Utah.

The Santa Fe Trail

• The Santa Fe Trail started in Independence, Missouri and ended in Santa Fe.

• The purpose of the trail was to travel to new parts of the country.

• The trail started to become most popular around the 1820’s and all the way up to the 1860’s.

Overland Trail

• It was established in the 1850’s and was used up until the 1860’s.

• Traveled between Colorado and Wyoming.• This route was used for trade and travel to

expand west.• The route went all the way to the edge of

Wyoming.

Just To Sum Things Up….

• The Main purpose of these trails were to expand west.

• These trails started to be widely used in the 1860’s.

• The Oregon Trail was the longest trail. (2,000 mi.)

• The Santa Fe trail was the oldest trail starting in 1821 and all the way up to the 1860’s.

• The Overland Trail went all the way to the edge of Wyoming.

The End!!!!