What river is the longest in the United States?

The Missouri River holds the title of the longest river in the United States, measuring approximately 2,341 miles in length. This river flows from the Rocky Mountains in Montana and meanders through several states, including North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas, and Missouri, before eventually merging with the Mississippi River.

Understanding the relative lengths of other rivers in the context is helpful. The Mississippi River, which is often well-known and frequently discussed, is approximately 2,340 miles long, making it a close contender but ultimately shorter than the Missouri. The Colorado River and the Ohio River also have significantly shorter lengths compared to the Missouri River, which illustrates the distinctiveness of the longest river in the country.