Britannica Sources used in this answer

Where does the Gulf Stream begin and where does it flow?

Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

Map of the North Atlantic Ocean showing major ocean currents, with warm currents like the Gulf Stream and North Atlantic Drift highlighted in pink and cold currents in blue. Arrows indicate current directions and relative speeds, connecting the eastern coasts of North America, the western coasts of Europe and Africa, and the Arctic region. — Gulf Stream Major warm and cold currents of the North Atlantic Ocean.

The Gulf Stream is a powerful, warm ocean current in the North Atlantic that forms part of a larger, clockwise-rotating system of currents.1

Origin and Path

The Gulf Stream system begins as the North Equatorial Current drives water westward across the Atlantic. This water flows into the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico before exiting through the Straits of Florida as the Florida Current.12

Upon exiting the straits, the current is joined by the Antilles Current and flows northward along the continental slope of the United States until it reaches Cape Hatteras, North Carolina.13

Flow and Termination

Beyond Cape Hatteras, the current turns northeastward, moving away from the coast toward the Grand Banks of Newfoundland. In this region, the Gulf Stream loses its identity as a single, well-defined current and begins to break apart. Its waters follow several paths:132
* Some branches flow eastward and northeastward as the North Atlantic Current, eventually reaching northwestern Europe and the seas near Norway.13
* Other portions turn south and east, either forming countercurrents or joining the Canary Current to circulate back toward Africa.12