The Mississippi River lies east of the Continental Divide, flowing towards the Gulf of Mexico.

The Continental Divide separates North America's watersheds. Rivers west of the divide flow to the Pacific Ocean, while those east flow to the Atlantic, Arctic, or Gulf of Mexico. The Mississippi River, with its vast network of tributaries, drains much of the interior of the United States and flows south into the Gulf of Mexico. This places it firmly east of the Continental Divide, which runs along the Rocky Mountains.