an early pioneering route across the central US, from Independence, W Missouri, to the Columbia River country of N Oregon: used chiefly between 1804 and 1860. Length: about 3220 km (2000 miles)
Oregon Trail in American English
former route extending from the Missouri River in Mo., northwest to the Columbia River in Oreg., much used by westward migrants (c. 1840-60): c. 2,000 mi (3,219 km)