What was the cheapest efficient mode of inland transportation in the 1800s

In the 1800s, the most efficient mode of transportation is through the waterways. Travel by water used the advantage of the wind, current or manpower for propulsion before the full usage of the steam engine happened. During those times, water travel was just one - way. This means that going downstream was easy but the journey upstream needed strenuous effort. But then, on the other hand, cities next to bodies of water were able to trade their goods to longer distances and were able to maintain political, economic and cultural cohesion. This is the reason why there is no doubt that earlier civilizations started or emerged along river systems not only because of the agricultural development but because of the systematic trading systems that occurred.