People traveled along the Oregon Trail in the mid-1800s to escape disease-ridden areas in the Midwest and seek opportunities in Oregon, despite the immense risks of the roughly 2,170-mile journey. Nearly 400,000 people made the difficult overland trek, which was the primary land route for settlers heading west with wagons of supplies and livestock. Travelers needed to bring extensive provisions to survive the long journey, including food, clothing, blankets, animals, tents, tools, wagons, and weapons.