Kentucky Borders: States, Map & Complete Guide

Illinois and Kentucky are separated entirely by the Ohio River along Kentucky's northwestern edge. The river creates a natural boundary between the two states.

The Kentucky-Illinois border extends for about 135 miles along the Ohio River from Missouri in the west to Indiana in the east. Kentucky counties along this border include Fulton, Hickman, Carlisle, Ballard, McCracken, Livingston, Crittenden, and Union. The border follows the northern bank of the Ohio River, meaning the river itself belongs to Kentucky rather than being divided between the states.

Indiana and Kentucky are separated entirely by the Ohio River along Kentucky's northern edge. The river creates a natural boundary running roughly east-west.

The Kentucky-Indiana border extends for about 345 miles along the Ohio River from Illinois in the west to Ohio in the east. This is one of the longest sections: of Kentucky's Ohio River border. Kentucky counties along this border include Henderson, Davies, Hancock, Breckinridge, Meade, Hardin, Jefferson, Oldham, Trimble, Carroll, Gallatin, Boone, Kenton, and Campbell. Major cities on this border include Louisville, Kentucky and Evansville and New Albany in Indiana.

Ohio and Kentucky are separated entirely by the Ohio River along Kentucky's northeastern edge. The river creates a natural boundary between the two states.

The Kentucky-Ohio border extends for about 180 miles along the Ohio River from Indiana in the west to West Virginia in the east. Kentucky counties along this border include Campbell, Pendleton, Bracken, Mason, Lewis, and Greenup. Major cities on this border include Cincinnati, Ohio (with Covington and Newport, Kentucky directly across the river).

West Virginia and Kentucky are separated by a border located on Kentucky's eastern edge. The Big Sandy River and its tributary, the Tug Fork, form most of this boundary through the Appalachian Mountains.

The Kentucky-West Virginia border extends for about 180 miles from Ohio in the north to Virginia in the south. The Tug Fork and Big Sandy River create a natural border for much of this distance. Kentucky counties along this border include Greenup, Carter, Lawrence, Johnson, Martin, and Pike. The border region is characterized by rugged mountain terrain.

Virginia and Kentucky are separated by a border located in the southeastern corner of Kentucky. The boundary runs through the Appalachian Mountains in the Cumberland Gap region.

The Kentucky-Virginia border extends for about 120 miles. The border passes through mountainous terrain including the historic Cumberland Gap, a natural pass through the Appalachian Mountains that was important for westward migration. Only a few Kentucky counties touch this border: Pike, Letcher, Harlan, and Bell.

Tennessee and Kentucky are separated by a border located on Kentucky's southern edge. The state line runs roughly east-west from Missouri in the west to Virginia in the east.

The Kentucky-Tennessee border extends for about 425 miles, making it Kentucky's longest state border. The border follows a relatively straight survey line across southern Kentucky. Kentucky counties along this border include Fulton, Hickman, Graves, Calloway, Trigg, Christian, Todd, Logan, Simpson, Allen, Monroe, Cumberland, Clinton, Wayne, McCreary, Whitley, and Bell.

Missouri and Kentucky are separated by the Mississippi River at Kentucky's far western tip. This small border exists where Kentucky extends westward to touch the Mississippi River.

The Kentucky-Missouri border extends for only about 20 miles along the Mississippi River, making it Kentucky's shortest state border. Only two Kentucky counties touch this border: Fulton and Hickman. This small border exists because of the New Madrid Bend, where the Mississippi River created an unusual geographic feature during earthquakes in the early 1800s.