Starlink Availability 2026: Coverage by State & Wait List Status

Last updated: March 31, 2026 | By George Olfson

US Coverage Overview

Starlink provides coverage across the entire continental United States, Alaska, and Hawaii. The service uses a constellation of 6,000+ LEO satellites orbiting at approximately 550 km altitude. Unlike traditional geostationary satellite providers (HughesNet, Viasat) that use a small number of satellites at 35,786 km, Starlink's dense LEO constellation ensures broad coverage with lower latency.

Key coverage facts:

• Available in all 50 US states including Alaska and Hawaii
• Coverage extends to most US territories (Puerto Rico, US Virgin Islands, Guam)
• Over 100 countries served worldwide across 6 continents
• SpaceX launches approximately 20–40 new satellites per month, continuously expanding capacity

State-by-State Availability Notes

While Starlink covers all 50 states, performance and availability vary by region. Here are notable observations by geographic area:

Northern States (Best Performance)

States like Montana, Wyoming, Idaho, North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Maine, Vermont, and New Hampshire consistently report the fastest Starlink speeds. This is due to favorable satellite orbital geometry (more satellites visible in the northern sky) and lower subscriber density per satellite cell in rural areas.

Southern and Central States

States in the South and Central US have good Starlink coverage with typical performance. Texas, Florida, Georgia, and the Carolinas have large rural populations that rely on Starlink where cable and fiber infrastructure has not reached.

High-Density Urban Areas (Potential Congestion)

Urban areas with many Starlink subscribers per satellite cell may experience slower speeds during peak hours. This is because bandwidth is shared among all users within a geographic cell.

Important: If you are in an urban area with fiber or cable internet available, those wired options will almost always outperform Starlink at a lower price. Starlink in cities is best suited for backup connections or for buildings where wired service is unavailable.

Alaska and Hawaii

Both Alaska and Hawaii have Starlink service, though with some caveats:

• Alaska: Starlink works across most of Alaska, including remote areas. Speeds typically range from 15–100 Mbps. In far northern Alaska (above 70°N latitude), coverage may be intermittent as satellite orbital paths provide less overlap near the poles.
• Hawaii: Starlink is available across all major Hawaiian islands. Speeds typically range from 25–120 Mbps. The mid-Pacific location means fewer satellite passes, which can result in slightly higher latency and lower average speeds compared to the continental US.

Wait List Status (2026)

Starlink's wait list situation has improved dramatically since the service's early years:

• 2021–2022: Wait lists of 6–18 months were common in most US areas.
• 2023–2024: Wait lists shortened to 1–6 months as SpaceX launched hundreds of additional satellites.
• 2025–2026: Most US locations now have immediate availability. Only the densest urban cells may have short waits of 1–4 weeks.

To check your specific address: visit starlink.com and enter your service address. The site will show estimated availability and delivery timeframe.

Best Locations for Starlink Performance

Starlink performance is influenced by three main factors:

1. Subscriber density: Fewer Starlink users in your satellite cell = more bandwidth per user. Rural areas win here.
2. Latitude: Northern US latitudes see more satellite passes overhead, improving consistency. The sweet spot is roughly 40–55°N latitude.
3. Obstructions: Clear sky views with no trees, buildings, or terrain blocking the dish produce the best results.

Best states for Starlink performance (based on community-reported speed tests):

1. Montana — Consistently among the fastest, low density, northern latitude
2. Wyoming — Lowest population density in the US, excellent satellite geometry
3. Idaho — Large rural areas, moderate subscriber counts
4. North Dakota — Very low density, northern latitude advantage
5. South Dakota — Similar advantages to North Dakota
6. Vermont — Small state with low density, good satellite visibility
7. Maine — Northern latitude, large rural population
8. Nebraska — Low density Great Plains geography
9. Kansas — Flat terrain provides excellent sky visibility
10. New Mexico — Low density, clear skies, minimal obstructions

Worst Locations for Starlink Performance

• Dense urban cores: Manhattan, downtown LA, downtown San Francisco — high subscriber density, building obstructions.
• Heavily forested areas: Pacific Northwest (Washington, Oregon) old-growth forests can obstruct the sky. Dish mounting height matters greatly.
• Far northern Alaska: Above 70°N, satellite coverage thins.
• Areas with frequent heavy weather: Gulf Coast during hurricane season, Great Plains during severe thunderstorm season — weather is temporary but recurring.

Global Coverage

Beyond the US, Starlink serves 100+ countries across 6 continents:

• North America: US, Canada, Mexico
• Europe: UK, Germany, France, Spain, Italy, Netherlands, Poland, and most EU/EEA countries
• Oceania: Australia, New Zealand
• South America: Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Argentina
• Asia: Japan, Philippines, parts of India (pending regulatory approvals in some markets)
• Africa: Nigeria, Kenya, Mozambique, Rwanda, and expanding

SpaceX continues to seek regulatory approval in additional countries. Coverage is expected to expand further in Africa, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East through 2026 and 2027.

How to Check Starlink Availability at Your Address

1. Visit starlink.com
2. Enter your service address in the availability checker
3. The site will show one of three statuses: "Available" (order now), "Waitlist" (join the queue with a $99 deposit), or "Coming Soon" (not yet available)
4. If available, you can order immediately. Typical shipping time is 1–2 weeks.

Frequently Asked Questions