Tennessee Borders: States, Map & Complete Guide

Kentucky forms most of Tennessee's northern border. The boundary runs roughly east-west across the top of the state along a surveyed parallel line.

The Tennessee-Kentucky border extends for about 425 miles from Virginia in the east to Missouri in the west. The border generally follows a surveyed line established when Tennessee and Kentucky were being formed from earlier territories. Tennessee counties along this border include Johnson, Sullivan, Hawkins, Hancock, Claiborne, Campbell, Scott, Fentress, Pickett, Clay, Macon, Sumner, Robertson, Montgomery, Stewart, and Houston. Major cities near this border include Clarksville, Tennessee and Nashville (about 40 miles south of the border).

Virginia borders Tennessee in the northeastern corner. This is one of Tennessee's shorter borders but passes through rugged Appalachian Mountain terrain.

The Tennessee-Virginia border runs for about 50 miles from Kentucky in the northwest to North Carolina in the southeast. The border follows surveyed lines through mountainous country. Only two Tennessee counties touch this border: Sullivan and Johnson. The tri-state area where Tennessee, Virginia, and North Carolina meet sits in the Appalachian highlands. Bristol, Tennessee-Bristol, Virginia is a unique city split by the state line.

North Carolina forms Tennessee's entire eastern border. The Great Smoky Mountains create one of the most scenic state boundaries in America along much of this border.

The Tennessee-North Carolina border extends for about 340 miles from Virginia in the north to Georgia in the south. The border runs along mountain ridges in the Great Smoky Mountains for much of its length, then follows surveyed lines in the southern section. Tennessee counties along this border include Johnson, Carter, Unicoi, Greene, Cocke, Sevier, Blount, Monroe, Polk, and Bradley. Great Smoky Mountains National Park straddles this border. Chattanooga sits near the southern end of this border.

Georgia borders Tennessee in the southeastern corner. This short border connects Tennessee to the Deep South.

The Tennessee-Georgia border runs for about 65 miles from North Carolina in the east to Alabama in the west. The border follows surveyed lines through hilly terrain. Tennessee counties along this border include Polk, Bradley, Hamilton, and Marion. Chattanooga, Tennessee sits directly on this border. The Tennessee River flows near this border region before cutting through northern Alabama.

Alabama forms most of Tennessee's southern border. The boundary follows a surveyed line across the width of the state.

The Tennessee-Alabama border extends for about 325 miles from Georgia in the east to Mississippi in the west. The border follows the 35th parallel north latitude for most of its length, creating a relatively straight east-west line. Tennessee counties along this border include Marion, Franklin, Lincoln, Moore, Fayetteville, Giles, Lawrence, Wayne, and Hardin. The Tennessee River flows southward through this region, crossing the border multiple times as it meanders through northern Alabama.

Mississippi borders Tennessee in the southwestern region. The Mississippi River forms the western portion of this boundary, while a land border exists in the east.

The Tennessee-Mississippi border runs for about 155 miles from Alabama in the east to Arkansas at the Mississippi River in the west. The Mississippi River forms roughly 50 miles of border in the west, while surveyed lines create the eastern land border. Tennessee counties along this border include Hardin, McNairy, Chester, Henderson, and Shelby. Memphis sits in the far southwestern corner where Tennessee meets both Mississippi and Arkansas.

Arkansas and Tennessee are separated entirely by the Mississippi River on Tennessee's western edge. This mighty river creates a natural boundary running north-south.

The Tennessee-Arkansas border follows the Mississippi River for about 160 miles from Missouri in the north to Mississippi in the south. The entire border is a water boundary with no land connection between the states. Tennessee counties along this border include Lake, Obion, Dyer, Lauderdale, Tipton, and Shelby. Memphis, Tennessee's largest city, sits on this river border across from Arkansas.

Missouri borders Tennessee in the northwestern corner where the Mississippi River separates the states. This is Tennessee's shortest state border.

The Tennessee-Missouri border follows the Mississippi River for about 30 miles from Kentucky in the east to Arkansas in the south. The entire border is formed by the river. Only two Tennessee counties touch this border: Lake and Obion. This remote northwest corner of Tennessee is sparsely populated bottomland along the great river.