The Definitive Guide: 5 Things You Must Know About When The Time Changes In The USA (2025-2026)

Are you constantly asking, "Cuando cambian la hora en USA?" This question, which translates to "When does the time change in the USA?", is one of the most-searched seasonal queries every year, and for good reason—missing the change can throw off your entire schedule. For 2025, the clock changes are set and confirmed, following the long-established federal schedule, but the annual switch remains a hot topic due to ongoing legislative efforts to make Daylight Saving Time (DST) permanent.

This up-to-date guide provides the exact dates for 2025 and 2026, explains the key exceptions that keep certain states on standard time year-round, and gives you the latest on the "Sunshine Protection Act," which could end the time switch forever. As of the current date, December 15, 2025, the schedule below is the official law of the land, so mark your calendars to avoid being an hour early or late.

The Official US Daylight Saving Time Schedule: 2025 and 2026 Dates

The United States operates under the Uniform Time Act of 1966, which was later modified by the Energy Policy Act of 2005. This federal law dictates that Daylight Saving Time begins on the second Sunday in March and ends on the first Sunday in November. This schedule applies to all states and territories that observe DST.

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2025 Daylight Saving Time Dates (Spring Forward & Fall Back)

• Spring Forward (Start of DST): Sunday, March 9, 2025. At 2:00 a.m. local time, clocks will move forward one hour to 3:00 a.m. This is when you "lose" an hour of sleep.
• Fall Back (End of DST): Sunday, November 2, 2025. At 2:00 a.m. local daylight time, clocks will move back one hour to 1:00 a.m. local standard time. This is when you "gain" an hour of sleep.

2026 Daylight Saving Time Dates

• Spring Forward (Start of DST): Sunday, March 8, 2026. Clocks will move forward one hour.
• Fall Back (End of DST): Sunday, November 1, 2026. Clocks will move back one hour. (Note: This date is based on the rule of the first Sunday in November.)

The shift is always scheduled for the early morning hours of a Sunday to minimize disruption to the business day and public life. The change takes effect at 2:00 a.m. in each time zone—Eastern Time (ET), Central Time (CT), Mountain Time (MT), and Pacific Time (PT)—meaning the entire country does not change simultaneously.

The Great Exceptions: States and Territories That Never Change Time

While the majority of the United States observes Daylight Saving Time, there are significant exceptions. The federal law, the Uniform Time Act of 1966, allows states to opt out of DST and remain on Standard Time year-round, but it prohibits states from adopting DST permanently.

This means two US states and several territories operate on a consistent schedule, providing a year-round "standard time" experience. This is a crucial detail for travelers and businesses operating across state lines.

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1. Arizona (The Major Exception)

Arizona is the most famous exception to the DST rule in the contiguous United States. Since 1968, the state has not observed Daylight Saving Time.

• Why? The primary reason is the intense summer heat. By not switching to DST, the sun sets an hour earlier during the summer months, allowing people to enjoy cooler evening hours for outdoor activities.
• The Navajo Nation Exception: It is important to note that the Navajo Nation, which spans parts of Arizona, Utah, and New Mexico, does observe Daylight Saving Time. This means that within Arizona, the Navajo Nation is on a different time schedule than the rest of the state for eight months of the year.

2. Hawaii

Hawaii also does not observe Daylight Saving Time.

• Why? Due to its tropical latitude, the difference in daylight hours between summer and winter is not significant enough to warrant a time change. The purpose of DST—to maximize evening daylight—is less relevant near the equator.

3. US Territories

All US territories remain on Standard Time throughout the year. These include:

• American Samoa
• Guam
• Northern Mariana Islands
• Puerto Rico
• U.S. Virgin Islands

The Political Battle: Will the US Switch to Permanent DST?

The annual "spring forward" and "fall back" ritual is highly unpopular with many Americans, leading to a persistent political push to eliminate the time switch. This movement is centered around a piece of federal legislation known as the "Sunshine Protection Act."

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The Sunshine Protection Act and Its Status

The "Sunshine Protection Act" is a proposed federal law that aims to make Daylight Saving Time permanent across the United States. If passed, the time change would stop, and the country would remain on DST—meaning later sunsets—all year long.

• Current Status: The bill has been introduced in various forms in Congress for several years. The current version, H.R.139, was introduced in the 119th Congress (2025-2026). While the Senate passed a version of the Act in 2022, it failed to pass the House of Representatives and was not signed into law.
• The Legal Hurdle: Currently, federal law prohibits states from adopting permanent DST. States are only permitted to remain on Standard Time year-round (like Arizona and Hawaii) or switch between Standard and Daylight Saving Time (like the other 48 states). For permanent DST to take effect, Congress must pass the federal "Sunshine Protection Act" to change the existing law.
• State-Level Action: Over 30 states have considered legislation to make DST permanent, but these laws cannot take effect until the federal government acts. This shows a strong public and state-level desire for "ditching the switch."

Arguments for and Against Permanent DST

The debate over permanent DST involves several key entities and concepts, including economics, public health, and energy policy.

• Pro-Permanent DST (Later Sunsets): Proponents argue that later sunsets increase retail sales, reduce seasonal affective disorder (SAD), decrease traffic accidents, and lower energy consumption by reducing the need for artificial light in the evenings. The extra hour of evening light is seen as a boon for tourism and outdoor recreation.
• Con-Permanent DST (Permanent Standard Time): Opponents, often advocates for "Permanent Standard Time," argue that permanent DST would result in extremely dark winter mornings, particularly in northern states. For example, the sun might not rise until 8:30 a.m. or even 9:00 a.m. in some areas, which is a significant concern for children traveling to school and for worker safety.

The History and Purpose of Daylight Saving Time

Understanding the history of DST provides context for the ongoing debate. The concept of Daylight Saving Time is not new; it was first proposed as a way to save energy and maximize the use of daylight.

• Wartime Measure: The US first adopted DST nationally during World War I in 1918 and again during World War II, primarily as a fuel-saving measure.
• The Uniform Time Act: After a period where states could choose their own DST schedules, leading to "time chaos," the federal government passed the Uniform Time Act of 1966 to standardize the start and end dates across the country.
• The Energy Policy Act of 2005: This is the law that established the current, extended DST period (from March to November) that we follow today. The goal was to save energy, although modern studies on its effectiveness are mixed.

In conclusion, while the dates for "cuando cambian la hora en USA" are fixed for 2025 (March 9 and November 2) and 2026 (March 8), the legislative future of the time switch remains uncertain. Keep an eye on the progress of the Sunshine Protection Act, but for now, remember to "spring forward, fall back" according to the official schedule.