There are two U.S. states that don't do daylight saving time. Here's why!
Daylight saving time is coming to an end on Nov. 2 (the first Sunday of November), bringing with it a subtle shift in our daily rhythm. Remember back in March when we “sprang forward” and lost that precious hour of sleep? Well, now it’s time to “fall back,” giving us the gift of an extra hour to enjoy—though it also means earlier sunsets (cue the collective groan). So, savor that extra time, but get ready for those darker evenings ahead!
The practice, observed since 1918 and also known as daylight time, sparks a significant amount of controversy, as some wonder if the clock-resetting process should still be in effect. In fact, there are two U.S. states that don’t do daylight saving, which you’ll learn more about in detail below.
Get Reader’s Digest’s Read Up newsletter for more holiday insights, humor, cleaning, travel, tech and fun facts all week long.
Which states don’t do daylight saving time?
There are two states that don’t do daylight saving time: Hawaii and Arizona. The United States officially adopted daylight saving time (yes, saving, not “savings”) as part of the Uniform Time Act of 1966. Before that, it was launched, repealed and resurrected during World War I and World War II, and states were even allowed to come up with their own versions of the practice. In fact, Iowa once had 23 different pairs of start and end dates throughout the state! This new law brought much-needed order to the country’s clocks, but it didn’t require all states to comply. And so Hawaii and Arizona eventually opted out, making them the only two states that don’t do daylight saving time.
Why did Hawaii opt out of daylight saving time?
Hawaii abandoned the law in 1967 because, well, it just didn’t make sense geographically or environmentally. Hawaii sits so close to the equator that its days and nights hardly change throughout the year. The difference between summer and winter daylight is barely an hour. So really, there’s no point in “springing forward” or “falling back” when the sun stays pretty steady all year long.
Why did Arizona opt out of daylight saving time?
Arizona followed suit in 1968 because it also gets a lot of daylight year-round. Not setting clocks forward also ensures that there are lower temperatures during waking hours. However, the Navajo Nation in northeastern Arizona does observe daylight saving time so it can have a uniform time with parts of Navajo territory in Utah and New Mexico.
A few U.S. territories also refrain from observing daylight saving time: the commonwealths of Puerto Rico and the Northern Marina Islands, the U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa and Guam.
Are we getting rid of daylight saving time?
As of now, no. The United States still observes daylight saving time. Several states have proposed bills to either make DST permanent or eliminate it entirely, but no federal law has been passed to change the national policy. Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida continues to champion the Sunshine Protection Act, which was first passed by the Senate in 2022 but never received a House vote. Although versions of the bill have been reintroduced in subsequent sessions, it hasn’t yet become law. So for now, most Americans will still spring forward in March and fall back in November each year.
Why trust us
At Reader’s Digest, we’re committed to producing high-quality content by writers with expertise and experience in their field in consultation with relevant, qualified experts. We rely on reputable primary sources, including government and professional organizations and academic institutions as well as our writers’ personal experience where appropriate. We verify all facts and data, back them with credible sourcing, and revisit them over time to ensure they remain accurate and up to date. Read more about our team, our contributors and our editorial policies.
Sources:
- Go Visit Hawaii: “Hawaii Fact 34 of 50: Hawaii Daylight Hours Don’t Vary Much”
- Time: “The Reason Some States Don’t Observe Daylight Saving Time”
- Press release from Sen. Marco Rubio: “Rubio Reintroduces Bill to Make Daylight Saving Time Permanent”
