The wagons weren’t for passengers.
Travelers along the Oregon Trail very rarely rode in their wagons. Walking alongside the wagon both allowed it to carry more weight and, perhaps surprisingly, made the journey more comfortable — walking 2,000 miles may be difficult, but try riding in a wagon full of cargo along rough terrain with absolutely no suspension for that long. Even the drivers guided their oxen from the ground. Despite being on foot, a wagon party could travel 20 whole miles on a good day.