In the United States, while most states adjust their clocks twice a year to better align with daylight hours, a select few states and territories have chosen not to follow this practice. These exceptions remain on standard time throughout the year, avoiding the biannual clock changes that most of the country experiences.
Though daylight saving time (DST) is widely adopted, practical and geographical factors lead certain states and territories to opt out. Whether it’s due to minimal variation in daylight hours or unique climate conditions, these areas have found little to no benefit in observing daylight saving time.
States That Do Not Follow Daylight Saving Time
Hawaii
Hawaii, known for its tropical climate and geographic isolation, does not observe daylight saving time. Due to its proximity to the equator, the variation in daylight hours throughout the year is minimal, making clock adjustments unnecessary.
Arizona (Except The Navajo Nation)
Arizona has opted out of daylight saving time largely due to its extremely hot climate. By not moving the clocks forward or backward, Arizona reduces exposure to the hottest part of the day, leading to lower energy consumption for air conditioning. However, the Navajo Nation, which spans parts of Arizona, Utah, and New Mexico, does observe daylight saving time, in contrast to the rest of the state.
U.S. Territories That Do Not Change Their Clocks
Puerto Rico
As a Caribbean territory, Puerto Rico’s proximity to the equator means it experiences little variation in daylight hours throughout the year. For this reason, Puerto Rico does not observe daylight saving time.
Guam
This U.S. territory in the Pacific also remains on standard time year-round. Like other island territories, Guam experiences minimal daylight variation, which makes changing clocks unnecessary.
American Samoa
Located in the South Pacific, American Samoa follows a similar pattern to Guam and Puerto Rico, staying on standard time year-round.
U.S. Virgin Islands
Found in the Caribbean, the U.S. Virgin Islands also do not observe daylight saving time due to the minimal change in daylight hours throughout the year.
Reasons For Not Observing Daylight Saving Time
The states and territories that choose to forgo daylight saving time often do so for geographical or practical reasons. For areas near the equator, like Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and Guam, there is little variation in daylight hours throughout the year, so adjusting the clocks offers few benefits.
In Arizona, the primary reason is climate. The state’s summer temperatures can be extremely high, and staying on standard time helps minimize heat exposure during peak hours, reducing the demand for air conditioning and lowering energy use.
Summary Of States And Territories That Do Not Observe Daylight Saving Time
| State or Territory | Main Reason | Observes DST |
|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | Minimal daylight variation | No |
| Arizona (except Navajo Nation) | Extremely hot climate | No |
| Puerto Rico | Minimal daylight variation | No |
| Guam | Minimal daylight variation | No |
| American Samoa | Minimal daylight variation | No |
| U.S. Virgin Islands | Minimal daylight variation | No |
The Navajo Nation: An Exception In Arizona
Interestingly, while most of Arizona does not observe daylight saving time, the Navajo Nation does. This exception exists because the Navajo Nation spans across Arizona, Utah, and New Mexico, where daylight saving time is observed. The Navajo Nation chooses to maintain consistency across its territory, which includes areas outside Arizona.
Future Perspectives On Daylight Saving Time
Though some states and territories have chosen not to participate in daylight saving time, the debate over its usefulness remains a national topic. In recent years, there have been growing movements to make daylight saving time permanent in certain states, though such changes require federal approval.
The varied adoption of daylight saving time across the U.S. reflects the different needs and geographical conditions of its states and territories. As this conversation continues, we may see further exceptions or even a broader national shift in how time is managed across the country.
