National roads and turnpikes were a popular way to send goods and mail from state to state before the Civil War. They could be traveled on foot or by wagon. They were often impassable in winter as they became too muddy for wagons. It also cost money for their upkeep; it was a hotly contested issue as to who would supply this money, as some believed it to be the responsibility of states while others believed it to be the job of the federal government. Others believed that road users should be responsible for upkeep through paying tolls.

River transportation was reliable only downriver until the creation of the steamboat—which did not depend on river currents. Steamboats could be dangerous however, as boilers exploded, scalding passengers and crew. Without canals, one was limited as to where one could travel using rivers. Rivers also flooded and had to be constantly dredged to remove debris which may snag a vessel. River travel was quite cheap, and if one was using a flatboat, one could not only sell the ship's cargo but the ship as well upon reaching one's destination.

Railroads were the fastest form of travel. Railroads could go wherever track was laid. Rail travel was dangerous, as trains often jumped the tracks or locomotives exploded. Tracks could also become impassable in winter due to snow and ice. Rail gauges varied from line to line, meaning that a train was limited as to where it could go—there was no nationwide network.