How did homesteaders travel west and claim land before the transcontinental railroad was built?

The answer is below

Explanation:

Before the construction of the transcontinental railroad during the homestead era in 1862, the people originally take the railroad from the thirteen colonies to the Mississippi River, from there, they then move out west using StageCoach, this is a horse attached to a wagon or carriage that traveled in sections of a route.

c.) the country needed a stronger central government.

a.

congress passed laws allowing for free passage between states.