A day's drive did not usually consist of one unbroken stretch of riding. In an upublished manuscript Frank wrote the following about a typical day on the trail:

Often the start was made for the morning drive by the time it began to show light. There was an early drive of three or four miles before breakfast. The oxen grazed until after noon when they were driven in and yoked up and driven four or five miles further, unyoked, and turned out to graze again. About four o'clock we had supper - only two meals each day. The oxen were yoked up and another four or five miles made. Then they were unyoked and turned out for the night. Two men were detailed as night herders. Wood for cooking purposes could be obtained until we struck Ash Creek, just below where Fort Larned was later located. This was the last place for wood for hundreds of miles, so of course it was husbanded very carefully. Each wagon had a large gunny sack nailed to the side, to be filled up by the drivers with buffalo chips during the day.