Arkansas Borders: States, Map & Complete Guide
Fact-checked • Updated January 11, 2026
Arkansas borders six states: Missouri to the north, Tennessee and Mississippi to the east, Louisiana to the south, and Texas and Oklahoma to the west. The Mississippi River forms Arkansas's entire eastern border with Tennessee and Mississippi.
Arkansas Border Map
Map showing Arkansas's boundaries with six neighboring states.
Border Details
Explore each of Arkansas's borders in detail. Click any card to learn more.
Missouri
Missouri forms Arkansas's entire northern border.
Tennessee
The Mississippi River separates Arkansas from Tennessee.
Mississippi
The Mississippi River creates the border between Arkansas and Mississippi.
Louisiana
Louisiana borders Arkansas along its southern edge.
Texas
Texas borders Arkansas in the southwest corner of the state.
Oklahoma
Oklahoma forms most of Arkansas's western border.
Which States Border Arkansas?
Arkansas shares its borders with six U.S. states: Missouri to the north, Tennessee and Mississippi to the east, Louisiana to the south, and Texas and Oklahoma to the west. This makes Arkansas one of only three states that border six other states.
North: Missouri
Missouri and Arkansas are separated by a border located on Arkansas's northern edge. The state line runs roughly east-west across the top of Arkansas, from Oklahoma in the west to the Mississippi River in the east.
The Arkansas-Missouri border extends for about 310 miles. Arkansas counties along this border include Benton, Carroll, Boone, Marion, Baxter, Fulton, Randolph, Clay, and Greene. On the Missouri side, border counties include McDonald, Barry, Stone, Taney, Ozark, Howell, Oregon, Ripley, and Dunklin.
- About 310 miles of border
- Runs from Oklahoma to Mississippi River
- Arkansas counties: Benton, Carroll, Boone, Marion, Baxter, Fulton, Randolph, Clay, Greene
East: Tennessee (Mississippi River Border)
Tennessee and Arkansas are separated by the Mississippi River along Arkansas's eastern edge. The river forms a natural boundary in the northern section of Arkansas's eastern border.
The Arkansas-Tennessee border runs for about 150 miles along the Mississippi River. Only a few Arkansas counties touch this border, including Clay, Greene, Mississippi, Crittenden, and a small part of Cross County. On the Tennessee side, Lake, Lauderdale, Tipton, and Shelby counties sit across the river.
- About 150 miles along Mississippi River
- Natural water boundary
- Arkansas counties: Clay, Greene, Mississippi, Crittenden
East: Mississippi (Mississippi River Border)
Mississippi and Arkansas are separated by the Mississippi River along Arkansas's eastern edge. The river forms a natural boundary in the southern section of Arkansas's eastern border.
The Arkansas-Mississippi border runs for about 200 miles along the Mississippi River. Arkansas counties along this border include Phillips, Desha, and Chicot. On the Mississippi side, counties along the border include Tunica, Coahoma, Bolivar, Washington, and Issaquena.
- About 200 miles along Mississippi River
- Southern section of eastern border
- Arkansas counties: Phillips, Desha, Chicot
South: Louisiana
Louisiana and Arkansas are separated by a border located on Arkansas's southern edge. The state line runs roughly east-west along the 33rd parallel north latitude, from Texas in the west to the Mississippi River in the east.
The Arkansas-Louisiana border extends for about 275 miles. Arkansas counties along this border include Miller, Lafayette, Columbia, Union, Ashley, and Chicot. On the Louisiana side, border counties include Caddo, Bossier, Webster, Claiborne, Union, Morehouse, and East Carroll.
- About 275 miles along 33rd parallel
- Runs from Texas to Mississippi River
- Arkansas counties: Miller, Lafayette, Columbia, Union, Ashley, Chicot
South-West: Texas (Shortest Border)
Texas and Arkansas share Arkansas's shortest state border, located in the southwest corner where the two states meet. This border runs north-south for a short distance.
The Arkansas-Texas border is only about 115 miles long. Only two Arkansas counties touch this border: Miller and Little River. On the Texas side, Bowie and Cass counties sit along the border.
- Arkansas's shortest border, about 115 miles
- Southwest corner location
- Arkansas counties: Miller, Little River
West: Oklahoma
Oklahoma and Arkansas are separated by a border located on Arkansas's western edge. The state line runs roughly north-south from Missouri in the north to Texas in the south.
The Arkansas-Oklahoma border extends for about 165 miles. Arkansas counties along this border include Benton, Washington, Crawford, Sebastian, Scott, and Polk. On the Oklahoma side, border counties include Ottawa, Delaware, Adair, Cherokee, Sequoyah, LeFlore, and McCurtain.
- About 165 miles north-south
- Western edge of Arkansas
- Arkansas counties: Benton, Washington, Crawford, Sebastian, Scott, Polk
Mississippi River: Arkansas's Entire Eastern Border
The Mississippi River creates Arkansas's entire eastern boundary, making it unique among U.S. states. The river separates Arkansas from both Tennessee and Mississippi for a combined distance of about 350 miles. This natural border is constantly changing as the river shifts its course over time, which has occasionally led to boundary disputes and small changes in where Arkansas ends and its eastern neighbors begin.
Six Neighbors: Tied for Second Most
Arkansas borders six states, making it tied with Kentucky and Nebraska for the second-most state borders in the U.S. Only Missouri and Tennessee border more states (eight each). This central location in the South made Arkansas an important crossroads throughout American history.
Key Facts & Statistics
This table shows every border Arkansas shares, organized by direction and type.
Arkansas borders exactly six U.S. states—tied for second most in the nation
Frequently Asked Questions
What states border Arkansas?
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Does Arkansas border Texas?
Sources & References
This article has been researched using authoritative sources to ensure accuracy and reliability.
Geographic features, river boundaries, and topographic data
State border region details and natural features