Sonali Tiwary
Clocks in the United States fall back one hour on the second Sunday of November — which in 2026 is November 8. Most Americans will set their clocks back at 2 a.m., gaining an hour of sleep. But not every state follows this schedule.
In the US, Daylight Saving Time ends on the second Sunday of November each year under federal law. In 2026, that date is November 8. At 2 a.m. local time, clocks move back to 1 a.m. The practical effect: most people gain an hour of sleep that night, and sunsets shift earlier through the winter months. Hawaii and most of Arizona do not observe Daylight Saving Time at all and keep standard time year-round. US territories including Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, and the US Virgin Islands also do not observe DST.
The clock change affects more than sleep. Commuters lose daylight in the evenings, which historically correlates with increased pedestrian and cycling safety risks in the weeks after the change. The disruption to sleep schedules — even a one-hour shift — has been linked in research to short-term increases in traffic incidents and medical events in the days immediately following the change. If your daily routine involves early morning or late afternoon outdoor activity, the adjustment to shorter afternoon daylight is worth planning around in advance.
Which States Do Not Change Clocks?
Hawaii has permanently opted out of Daylight Saving Time under state law. Most of Arizona does too — the main exception is the Navajo Nation, which observes DST within Arizona. Those two states stay on standard time throughout the year, so they do not change clocks in November and do not spring forward in March.
The other 48 states and Washington DC all observe DST under the Uniform Time Act of 1966, which sets the federal framework. Individual states can opt out of DST but cannot permanently adopt it without federal legislation — a point of ongoing political debate, as several states have passed laws that would keep them on permanent DST if Congress acts.
As of September 2026, no federal legislation has changed the standard calendar. November 8 remains the 2026 fall-back date for the states and DC that observe DST. For Australians: Australian Eastern Standard Time moves in the opposite direction — clocks spring forward in early October as the Southern Hemisphere enters summer. For UK readers: British Summer Time ends on the last Sunday of October, which in 2026 is October 25 — about a week before the US change.
For more weather and seasonal coverage and US policy updates, check Karmactive’s ongoing coverage.
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