Phoeniz, Arizona – As daylight saving time approaches, many Americans are preparing for longer daylight hours starting this Sunday. However, not all states will be participating in the time change, with Arizona and Hawaii standing out as exceptions. These states have chosen not to observe daylight saving time, a decision driven by factors such as geography and climate.
In March and November, Americans adjust their clocks by one hour as part of the biannual time change. The practice aims to make better use of daylight hours, with clocks springing forward in March and falling back in November. This year, daylight saving time is set to end on Sunday, November 3, at 2 a.m., before resuming on Sunday, March 9, 2025.
While most U.S. states adjust their clocks for daylight saving time, Hawaii and Arizona, except for the Navajo Nation, opt out of the practice. Additionally, territories like American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands also do not observe daylight saving time.
In Arizona, the decision not to change clocks is rooted in the state’s desert climate. Lawmakers reasoned that there was no need to shift sunset to a later hour during the hottest months of the year. Similarly, Hawaii’s consistent daylight throughout the year has led to the state not participating in daylight saving time.
The geographical position of certain regions, such as American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, near the equator, also plays a role in their decision not to observe daylight saving time. This variance in daylight hours throughout the year has contributed to their choice to remain on standard time.
As millions of Americans prepare to adjust their clocks for daylight saving time, these exceptions serve as a reminder of the diverse practices across different states and territories. The reasons behind each region’s decision not to observe daylight saving time highlight the various factors that influence timekeeping practices in different parts of the country.