The Oregon Trail ran alongside the Platte River in which present-day state?

The Oregon Trail is historically significant as a major route used by settlers moving west during the 19th century. It largely followed the path of the Platte River, which meanders through a central section of the United States. In present-day geography, Nebraska is the state where the Oregon Trail ran alongside the Platte River. This vital waterway provided crucial supplies and was a landmark for travelers heading towards the Pacific Northwest. While other states like Kansas and South Carolina are associated with early American westward expansion, they do not have the same direct connection to the Oregon Trail following the Platte River. Oregon itself is at the end of the trail, and therefore not a state through which the river and trail run together. Thus, Nebraska is clearly identified as the correct answer in this context.