The Erie Canal facilitated trade with the West by connecting the Hudson River to Lake Erie. Railroads shortened transportation times throughout the country, making it easier and less expensive to move people and goods.

How did canals help make travel easier?

How did canals change this? It was easy to travel and ship goods; building canals made it easier for people to live further away from rivers. ... Roads, canals, and steamships made it easier and cheaper to transport and ship goods. They also made it easier for people to travel and move westward.

How did canals improve trade and travel?

Canals allowed a greater volume of goods to be moved more precisely, and for much less, opening up new markets in terms of location and affordability. Seaports could now be connected to inland trade.