Coastline length can be measured by general outline (main coast) or including inlets, bays, and islands. The list below uses the general coastline rankings commonly cited in geographic sources.
1. Alaska
Bodies of Water: Pacific / Arctic
Miles (General Coastline): 6,640
Overview: Alaska has by far the longest general coastline among U.S. states.
2. Florida
Bodies of Water: Atlantic / Gulf
Miles (General Coastline): 1,350
Overview: Florida’s peninsula gives it long exposure to both the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico.
3. California
Bodies of Water: Pacific
Miles (General Coastline): 840
Overview: The long west coast of California gives it one of the longest continuous Pacific coastlines in the U.S.
4. Hawaii
Bodies of Water: Pacific
Miles (General Coastline): 750
Overview: As an archipelago, Hawaii’s islands contribute to its extensive coastline along the Pacific.
5. Louisiana
Bodies of Water: Gulf
Miles (General Coastline): 397
Overview: Louisiana has long coastal shores along the Gulf, especially through its marshes and estuaries.
6. Texas
Bodies of Water: Gulf
Miles (General Coastline): 367
Overview: Texas has a long Gulf coastline, though its general coastline length is less than some states when measured without inlets.
7. North Carolina
Bodies of Water: Atlantic
Miles (General Coastline): 301
Overview: North Carolina’s Atlantic coast includes barrier islands, estuaries, and open shoreline.
8. Oregon
Bodies of Water: Pacific
Miles (General Coastline): 296
Overview: Oregon’s rugged Pacific shoreline gives it one of the longest Pacific state coastlines.
9. Maine
Bodies of Water: Atlantic
Miles (General Coastline): 228
Overview: Maine’s rocky Atlantic coast features many peninsulas and bays.
10. Massachusetts
Bodies of Water: Atlantic
Miles (General Coastline): 192
Overview: Massachusetts rounds out the top ten with its coastal region along the Atlantic.
People Also Ask...
Which state has the longest coastline including inlets and bays?
When counting all tidal shores, Alaska tops that measure too, reaching over 33,900 miles.
Why do different sources list different coastline lengths?
Coastlines are measured differently (general outline vs. full detailed shoreline), and methods vary by map scale and survey.
Does Michigan have a coastline?
These rankings focus on ocean shorelines. Michigan has the longest freshwater shoreline in the U.S. but is usually excluded from ocean coastline rankings.
Which states would appear if using detailed shoreline measurements?
States with many inlets, islands, or irregular coastlines, such as Louisiana, Alaska, and Florida, could rank differently with more detailed measures.
