Nebraska Borders: States, Map & Complete Guide
Fact-checked • Updated January 11, 2026
Nebraska borders six states: South Dakota to the north, Iowa and Missouri to the east, Kansas to the south, and Colorado and Wyoming to the west. The Missouri River forms Nebraska's entire eastern border with Iowa and Missouri. Nebraska is located in the heart of the Great Plains.
Nebraska Border Map
Map showing Nebraska's boundaries with six neighboring states and the Missouri River.
Border Details
Explore each of Nebraska's borders in detail. Click any card to learn more.
South Dakota
The Missouri River forms part of Nebraska's border with South Dakota.
Iowa
The Missouri River creates the entire border with Iowa.
Missouri
The Missouri River forms Nebraska's border with Missouri.
Kansas
Kansas forms Nebraska's entire southern border along the 40th parallel.
Colorado
Colorado borders Nebraska in the southwest.
Wyoming
Wyoming borders Nebraska's western edge.
Which States Border Nebraska?
Nebraska shares its borders with six U.S. states: South Dakota to the north, Iowa and Missouri to the east, Kansas to the south, and Colorado and Wyoming to the west. This makes Nebraska tied with Arkansas, Kentucky, and Pennsylvania for the second-most state borders in the U.S.
North: South Dakota
South Dakota and Nebraska are separated by a border located on Nebraska's northern edge. The boundary includes both the Missouri River in the east and a land border in the west.
The Nebraska-South Dakota border extends for about 425 miles from Wyoming in the west to Iowa in the east. The Missouri River creates the border for the eastern portion, while a land boundary following the 43rd parallel marks the western section. Nebraska counties along this border include Sioux, Dawes, Sheridan, Box Butte, Scotts Bluff, Banner, Kimball, Morrill, Garden, Cherry, Keya Paha, Boyd, Knox, Cedar, and Dakota.
- About 425 miles total
- Missouri River in east, 43rd parallel in west
- Transitions from prairie to river valley
East: Iowa (Missouri River Border)
Iowa and Nebraska are separated entirely by the Missouri River along Nebraska's eastern edge. The river creates a natural boundary running roughly north-south.
The Nebraska-Iowa border extends for about 300 miles along the Missouri River from South Dakota in the north to Missouri in the south. Nebraska counties along this border include Dakota, Thurston, Burt, Washington, Douglas, Sarpy, Cass, Otoe, Nemaha, and Richardson. Major cities on this border include Omaha, Nebraska and Council Bluffs, Iowa, which form a single metropolitan area.
- About 300 miles along Missouri River
- Entire border formed by river
- Omaha-Council Bluffs metro area
South-East: Missouri (Missouri River Border)
Missouri and Nebraska are separated by the Missouri River in Nebraska's southeastern corner. The river creates the boundary where Nebraska extends south to meet Kansas.
The Nebraska-Missouri border extends for about 125 miles along the Missouri River. Only a few Nebraska counties touch this border, including Richardson, Nemaha, and Otoe. The border region is characterized by river bluffs and agricultural bottomland.
- About 125 miles along Missouri River
- Southeastern corner
- Nebraska counties: Richardson, Nemaha, Otoe
South: Kansas
Kansas and Nebraska are separated by a border located on Nebraska's southern edge. The state line follows the 40th parallel north latitude, creating a perfectly straight east-west boundary.
The Nebraska-Kansas border extends for about 210 miles from Colorado in the west to Missouri in the east. Nebraska counties along this border include Dundy, Hitchcock, Red Willow, Furnas, Harlan, Franklin, Webster, Nuckolls, Thayer, Jefferson, and Gage.
- About 210 miles along 40th parallel
- Perfectly straight east-west line
- Nebraska counties: Dundy, Hitchcock, Red Willow, Furnas, Harlan, Franklin, Webster, Nuckolls, Thayer, Jefferson, Gage
South-West: Colorado
Colorado and Nebraska are separated by a border in Nebraska's southwestern corner. The boundary runs roughly north-south from Wyoming in the north to Kansas in the south.
The Nebraska-Colorado border extends for about 180 miles. The border follows straight survey lines through the High Plains region. Nebraska counties along this border include Kimball, Banner, Cheyenne, Deuel, and Dundy. The border region is characterized by high prairie and ranch land.
- About 180 miles north-south
- Straight survey lines
- High Plains region
West: Wyoming
Wyoming and Nebraska are separated by a border located on Nebraska's western edge. The state line runs roughly east-west from South Dakota in the north to Colorado in the south.
The Nebraska-Wyoming border extends for about 90 miles. The border follows the 41st parallel north for part of its length. Only three Nebraska counties touch this border: Sioux, Scotts Bluff, and Banner. The border region includes the Nebraska Panhandle, a distinctive geographic feature.
- About 90 miles
- Follows 41st parallel
- Nebraska counties: Sioux, Scotts Bluff, Banner
Missouri River: Nebraska's Entire Eastern Border
The Missouri River forms Nebraska's entire eastern border with Iowa and Missouri, running for approximately 425 miles total. This makes the Missouri River one of the defining features of Nebraska's geography. The river has historically served as a major transportation route and continues to be important for irrigation, hydroelectric power, and recreation. The river's course has shifted over time, occasionally creating boundary disputes and small changes in state lines. Major cities along this border include Omaha, the state's largest city, which sits on the Missouri River across from Council Bluffs, Iowa.
The Nebraska Panhandle
Nebraska has a distinctive geographic feature called the Nebraska Panhandle—a narrow western extension of the state that extends west toward Wyoming and Colorado. The Panhandle is roughly 100 miles wide (north-south) but extends about 150 miles west from the main body of the state. This region includes Scotts Bluff National Monument and Chimney Rock, famous landmarks on the Oregon Trail. The Panhandle's landscape is dramatically different from eastern Nebraska, featuring high plains, buttes, and badlands rather than rolling prairie. The region is characterized by cattle ranching and dryland farming.
Six Neighbors: Tied for Second Most
Nebraska borders six states, making it tied with Arkansas, Kentucky, and Pennsylvania for the second-most state borders in the U.S. Only Missouri and Tennessee border more states (eight each). Nebraska's central location in the Great Plains gives it this high number of neighbors. The state sits at a crossroads between the eastern Corn Belt and the western High Plains, between the northern prairie states and the southern plains. This position has historically made Nebraska important for agriculture and transportation.
Key Facts & Statistics
This table shows every border Nebraska shares, organized by direction and type.
Nebraska borders exactly six U.S. states—tied for second most
Frequently Asked Questions
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Sources & References
This article has been researched using authoritative sources to ensure accuracy and reliability.
Geographic features, river boundaries, and topographic data
State geographic and river information