- Most individuals did not go very far from their home as they got most things they needed from their neighborhood. People walked to work, to the nearby market, to church, and to visit their friends and neighbors.
By Horseback Riding
- Horses were the primary source of transportation for any trips that were longer than a few miles. People typically rode a single horse, but occasionally two would ride, which was called "double riding". Horses were used for transportation in both rural and urban areas. Some horses might be pulling carts or wagons. In large cities, there might be horses and carriages for hire at a livery stable.
By Stagecoach
- For traveling longer distances, people often took a stagecoach. A stagecoach was a type of horse-drawn carriage with seats arranged along both sides of the inside. Stagecoaches operated on regular schedules, leaving from and arriving at appointed times.
By Boat or Steamship
- Boats were a common way to travel to various parts of the world, especially along the coastlines, the Mississippi River and Ohio River, and the Great Lakes. Steamships became popular in the 1820s, but most steamboats were slow, averaging about 3 mph, and often unreliable.