Vermont Borders: States, Map & Complete Guide
Fact-checked • Updated January 11, 2026
Vermont borders three U.S. states: New Hampshire to the east, Massachusetts to the south, and New York to the west. Vermont also shares an international border with Canada's Quebec province to the north. Lake Champlain forms much of Vermont's western boundary with New York. The Connecticut River creates the entire eastern border with New Hampshire.
Vermont Border Map
Map showing Vermont's boundaries with three states, Quebec, the Connecticut River, and Lake Champlain.
Border Details
Explore each of Vermont's borders in detail. Click any card to learn more.
Quebec
Quebec, Canada borders Vermont's northern edge along the 45th parallel.
New Hampshire
The Connecticut River forms Vermont's entire eastern border with New Hampshire.
Massachusetts
Massachusetts forms Vermont's southern border along a straight surveyed line.
New York
Lake Champlain forms much of Vermont's western border with New York.
Lake Champlain
Lake Champlain creates a natural border between Vermont and New York.
Which States Border Vermont?
Vermont shares borders with three states: New Hampshire to the east, Massachusetts to the south, and New York to the west. Rivers and lakes form most of Vermont's state boundaries, with the Connecticut River creating the entire eastern border and Lake Champlain forming much of the western border.
East: New Hampshire (Connecticut River Border)
New Hampshire and Vermont are separated entirely by the Connecticut River along Vermont's eastern edge. This river creates one of the most distinctive state boundaries in New England.
The Vermont-New Hampshire border follows the Connecticut River for about 235 miles from Quebec in the north to Massachusetts in the south. The entire border is a water boundary. A unique aspect of this border is that Vermont's boundary extends to the western bank of the Connecticut River, meaning New Hampshire owns the entire river. This arrangement dates back to colonial boundary disputes and differs from most river borders where the boundary runs down the middle. Vermont counties along this border include Essex, Caledonia, Orange, Windsor, and Windham. On the New Hampshire side, Coos, Grafton, Sullivan, and Cheshire counties sit along the river.
- About 235 miles along Connecticut River
- Entire border is water
- Vermont boundary at western riverbank, NH owns river
South: Massachusetts
Massachusetts forms Vermont's entire southern border. The boundary follows a straight east-west surveyed line across the bottom of the state.
The Vermont-Massachusetts border extends for about 90 miles from New York in the west to New Hampshire (Connecticut River) in the east. The border follows a surveyed latitude line established in colonial times. Vermont counties along this border include Bennington and Windham. On the Massachusetts side, Berkshire County and a small portion of Franklin County touch this border. The border crosses through the Green Mountains and Berkshire Hills region. Brattleboro, Vermont sits on the Connecticut River near the southeastern corner where Vermont, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts meet.
- About 90 miles east-west
- Straight surveyed line
- Through Green Mountains region
West: New York (Lake Champlain Border)
New York and Vermont share a border on Vermont's western side. Lake Champlain forms much of this boundary in the north and center, while land borders exist in the southern section.
The Vermont-New York border runs for about 250 miles from Quebec in the north to Massachusetts in the south. Lake Champlain creates a natural water boundary for roughly 120 miles in the northern and central sections:. South of the lake, the border follows surveyed lines through the mountains. Vermont counties along this border include Grand Isle, Franklin, Chittenden, Addison, Rutland, and Bennington. The Adirondack Mountains dominate the New York side. Burlington, Vermont's largest city, sits on Lake Champlain along this border.
- About 250 miles north-south
- Lake Champlain forms northern section
- Burlington on lake shore
International Border with Canada
Vermont shares about 90 miles of international border with Canada's Quebec province to the north. This northern boundary follows the 45th parallel north latitude for most of its length.
North: Quebec, Canada
Quebec and Vermont are separated by an international border along Vermont's northern edge. The boundary runs roughly east-west from New York in the west to New Hampshire in the east.
The Vermont-Quebec border extends for about 90 miles along the 45th parallel north latitude. The border was surveyed and marked in the early 1800s. Vermont counties along this border include Grand Isle, Franklin, Orleans, and Essex. On the Quebec side, the Montérégie and Estrie regions border Vermont. Several Vermont towns sit directly on the Canadian border, including Derby Line (connected to Stanstead, Quebec), Norton, and Alburgh. The Haskell Free Library and Opera House in Derby Line famously straddles the border, with the stage in Canada and most seats in the United States. Interstate 89 and Interstate 91 connect Vermont to Quebec through major border crossings.
- About 90 miles along 45th parallel
- Several towns on border
- Haskell Library straddles international line
Lake Champlain: Vermont's Western Border
Lake Champlain forms much of Vermont's western boundary with New York, creating about 120 miles of water border. This long, narrow lake stretches from Quebec in the north to near Whitehall, New York in the south. Lake Champlain is the sixth-largest freshwater lake in the United States and sometimes called the 'Sixth Great Lake' (though not officially one of the Great Lakes). The lake has been crucial to Vermont's history, serving as a major transportation route since Native American times and playing a key role in the Revolutionary War and War of 1812. Burlington, Vermont's largest city and commercial center, developed along the lake shore. The lake is popular for recreation, fishing, and sailing. Ferry services cross the lake at several points, connecting Vermont and New York. The Champlain Valley along the lake is Vermont's most populous region.
Connecticut River: Vermont's Eastern Boundary
The Connecticut River forms Vermont's entire 235-mile eastern border with New Hampshire, making it one of the longest river boundaries between states in New England. The river flows south from the Quebec border to Massachusetts, defining where Vermont ends and New Hampshire begins. Unlike most river borders where the boundary runs down the middle of the river, Vermont's border sits at the western bank—meaning New Hampshire owns the entire Connecticut River. This unusual arrangement stems from colonial-era boundary disputes when New Hampshire's royal charter gave it rights to the river. The Connecticut River Valley has been important for agriculture, industry, and transportation throughout Vermont's history. Several bridges cross the river, connecting Vermont and New Hampshire communities.
Key Facts & Statistics
This table shows every border Vermont shares, organized by direction and type.
Vermont borders exactly three U.S. states
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
Vermont-Canada border details
Lake Champlain geography and boundary information