In the early 1800s which of these would have been the greatest obstacle for people traveling from area 1 to area 2

The correct answer to this open question is the following.

Unfortunately, you did not include the areas, the map, the name of the locations or towns, or any other useful information to know what you are talking about.

However, although we do not know areas 1 and 2, we can comment on the following general terms.

In the early 1800s, the greatest obstacle for people traveling to different areas of the western territories was the lack of transportation infrastructure, the lack of roads, and the lack of a national railroad system.

That is why the development of a better railroad system improved the transportation conditions of people and goods to different parts of the country. For example, the Transcontinental railroad inaugurated on May 10, 1869, connected the Eastern part of the United States with the Pacific West. The Central Pacific and the Union Pacific were the two American companies that made the dream come true.