What is the longest river in North America?

Hundreds of rivers slice across North America, creating the wonderful landscapes of the continent. Each river has its own features and unique environment. The longest one among them is the Missouri River. Rising in the Rocky Mountains of western Montana, the Missouri flows east and south for 2,341 miles before entering the Mississippi River north of St. Louis, Missouri. It is also the longest tributary of the Mississippi River.

In the 19th century the Missouri was one of the main trade routes of the country. People traveled around the US by water, expanding the country and looking for new opportunities. In the 20th century the nation started using the Missouri for irrigation. Nowadays the Missouri basin provides us with a lot of recreational areas and beautiful views to enjoy.

More Info: en.wikipedia.org

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144 Comments

Terry Seale

The Mississippi is 3902 miles long. When I took math 3902 was greater than 2341

Jim Moser

Terry, you must be looking at the Mississippi River system. Numerous sources that I checked show the Mississippi River at 2,202 miles and the Missouri River at 2,341 miles. If my math serves my right that makes the Missouri River 139 miles longer than the Mississippi River.

Rusty Zahn

Wow this is the first time I've seen everyone answer wrong

Carol Focht Cheney

When I was in school in the 70's and early 80's we were taught that the Mississippi was the longest river n North America.I doubt it has shrunk since then.

Mozzie Tsolaks

I know it as the Mississippi River and since the Missouri is a tributary if the Mississippi river then the Mississippi is the longest river.

Geoffrey Rogers

Helena Yoke Leng Herzberg When I was in school 20 yrs ago, we were taught that the Mississippi River was the longest in the US. It starts in Minnesota and empties into the gulf. But of course there were 8 planets when I was in school bc Pluto was a planet then. This is why it's hard for parents to help their kids with homework bc they keep changing things.

Helga U. Williams

I used to think it was a Mississippi, but through playing Trivia I learned that the Missouri was a contributory and longer. Therefore, I did not have to guess on this one. 😊

Alejo Planchart

When I study Geography, they always made reference to the Mississippi-Missoury river which I suppose is taken both rivers as one, since one seems like the prolongation of the other.

earlepg

For many years I heard that the Mississippi was the longest. Then, not long ago, I heard that the Missouri was longer. Eventually I went online and found that the sites all agreed that the Missouri was the longest, though there was much disagreement as to the actual lengths; from one mile to about 200 and even almost 300 miles difference.

The Mckenzie river is the correct answer

Player

Knew that this was a tricky question so took double chance.

Conrado De Leon

Terry Seale, measured by the same dolt that said Persephone was the godess of rainbow... LOL

Ramrod

All four are in North America for a change. While I'm often skeptical of some wiki answers, this one seems to pan out

Reida Caudo

So I guess the Mississippi has shrunk since I was in school, because it was our longest river then.

Joanne Serin

Rusty Zahn, not everyone. 18.3% got it right, if you want to go by the answer here.

Dino Garay

Carol Focht Cheney, when I went to school in the late 50s till I don't know when it was always the Mississippi. I guess with GPS systems now in place the true lengths are more accurate. The Missouri stood alone never as a tributary of the other.

Lynn Ridenour

The Missouri River is NOT a tributary of the Mississippi. The upper Mississippi north of St Louis is a tributary of the combined Missouri/Mississippi. It's an error of naming the two separately when in fact they are one river.