What an excellent question ~ and applicable to many routes in the expansion
across America. My guess is that since there were no "roads" in those days
groups of family and friends (especially Quakers) travelled together with a guide
who was familiar with the territory and indians thus the Bedford Historical
path, etc. My GGGGrandfather Henry Sadorus led a party from Pennsylvania along
this same Ohio path until they eventually stopped in Illinois~ Before
fighting in the War of 1812 and his marriage in 1813 he had led many parties west
including along the Mississippi to Cuba ~
in fact he applied for the Lewis & Clark expedition. It was his trade to be
a scout. Many of those travelling west were probably refugees fleeing for a
number of reasons and eager to find new homes or in love with a dream. Hope
these thoughts are helpful or stimulate others~