The 2 states that border the most others, they border each other along a roughly 60-mile stretch between Kentucky & Arkansas

On the January 15, 2026 episode of Jeopardy, the Final Jeopardy clue fell under the category “U.S. Geography.” Contestants were challenged to identify two states that not only share a border with one another but also each border more states than any other in the U.S. The clue read: “The 2 states that border the most others, they border each other along a roughly 60-mile stretch between Kentucky & Arkansas.” The correct response required an understanding of U.S. state borders and a bit of geographic visualization.

What Are Missouri and Tennessee?

These two states each share borders with eight other states, the highest number of bordering states in the country. Missouri’s neighbors include Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Kentucky, Illinois, and Tennessee. Tennessee borders Kentucky, Virginia, North Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Arkansas, and Missouri. Their shared border lies along a relatively short section in the southeast corner of Missouri and the northwest tip of Tennessee, situated between Arkansas and Kentucky along the Mississippi River.

Missouri and Tennessee are not only centrally located in the eastern half of the United States, but also strategically positioned to connect the Midwest and the South. Their multiple neighboring states make them geographically significant, serving as transportation and cultural crossroads between regions. The relatively short stretch of border they share doesn’t diminish the strategic importance they hold in relation to surrounding states.

How the Geography Adds Up

The clue specifically highlights the 60-mile stretch of land between Kentucky and Arkansas where these two states meet. This region lies along the Mississippi River, a natural boundary that has shaped state borders across the central U.S. The Missouri-Tennessee border is located at a point where both states reach toward the Mississippi River, nestled between Kentucky to the north and Arkansas to the south.

This location, while relatively small in terms of shared boundary length, serves as a geographic connector between the lower Midwest and the Upper South. The Mississippi River itself is a major transportation and economic artery, historically supporting trade, agriculture, and movement of goods. Missouri and Tennessee’s positioning along this river has contributed to their development and importance in the region.

Why They Border So Many States

Missouri and Tennessee’s high number of bordering states is due to both their size and location. Each state occupies a position where multiple regional divisions converge. Missouri spans the central Midwest and borders both Plains states and Southern states. Tennessee lies along the transition zone between the Appalachian region and the Deep South, allowing it to connect with a diverse range of neighboring states.

Unlike coastal states, which are limited by oceanfronts, landlocked states like Missouri and Tennessee have the potential to border more states simply due to their central placement and lack of coastal constraints. This centrality allows both to act as regional hubs, historically and in modern infrastructure terms.

The Historical and Practical Significance

Missouri and Tennessee’s extensive borders have played a role in their historical development and cultural diversity. During the 19th century, both states served as gateways for westward expansion, with major routes like the Oregon Trail and the Trail of Tears passing through. Their borders with so many other states meant they became melting pots of migration, commerce, and conflict.

Today, this geographic positioning supports major transportation routes, including highways and railroads, and helps explain their economic connections across state lines. From agriculture to manufacturing and logistics, both states leverage their geographic advantage in linking the U.S. heartland.

Final Thoughts

The January 15 clue was a clever blend of geography and deduction, pointing to two states that are often overshadowed by larger or more populous ones. Yet Missouri and Tennessee hold unique geographic distinctions that set them apart in the landscape of the United States. Their shared 60-mile border may be small, but their broader role in connecting multiple regions of the country is significant. It was a fitting test of contestants’ grasp of U.S. geography—and a reminder of how central geography is to understanding American history and infrastructure.