These States Ended Daylight Savings Time For Good

Twice a year, we go through the ritual of changing their clocks – springing forward in March and falling back in November. But have you ever wondered why some parts of the U.S. skip daylight savings time altogether? 

If you’ve ever asked, “What states don't do daylight savings time?” you’re not alone! Let’s take a closer look at why certain regions opt out, how it impacts them, and whether the idea of making daylight savings time permanent could ever become a reality.

What is Daylight Savings Time?

Daylight savings time is the practice of moving clocks forward by one hour in the spring to extend evening daylight during warmer months. This shift, often called "springing forward," is meant to make better use of daylight and reduce energy consumption. 

In the fall, clocks are turned back an hour, marking the end of daylight savings time. While the idea has been around for over a century, it still remains a topic of debate.

Who Skips Daylight Savings Time?

The two major regions in the U.S. that don’t observe daylight savings time are Hawaii and most of Arizona. So, if you’ve ever asked, “Does Arizona have daylight savings time?” the answer is no… mostly. 

The entire state, except for the Navajo Nation in the northeast, stays on standard time all year long. Hawaii, due to its tropical location, also forgoes the clock change.

Why Opt Out of Daylight Savings Time?

Hawaii’s decision is pretty straightforward. Being close to the equator means there’s little variation in daylight hours throughout the year. Since changing the clocks wouldn’t make much of a difference, why bother?

Arizona’s choice has a bit more to do with comfort. If you’ve ever experienced a summer in Arizona, you know how scorching it can be. By skipping daylight savings time, Arizona avoids later sunsets that would prolong the hottest part of the day. 

Keeping an earlier sunset means slightly cooler evenings – something everyone can appreciate in triple-digit temperatures.

How Does It Affect These States?

For Hawaii, the lack of daylight savings time has little to no impact on the state since the amount of daylight remains fairly consistent year-round. In Arizona, it means that, for part of the year, they’re in the same time zone as California and, for the other part, they match up with neighboring New Mexico. This can sometimes cause confusion when dealing with businesses or travelers from other states.

Another effect? People in Arizona and Hawaii don’t have to deal with the sleep disruptions that come with the dreaded “spring forward” daylight savings time shift. While the rest of the country grumbles about losing an hour of sleep in March or feeling off-balance when daylight savings time ends in November, these states get to keep the same schedules year-round.

Could Daylight Savings Time Become Permanent?

There’s a growing debate over whether we should stop changing clocks altogether. Some people argue that making daylight savings time permanent would provide more daylight in the evening and eliminate the biannual time shift that can throw off sleep schedules. While there has been legislative movement in favor of this idea, nothing has been finalized yet.

So, whether you’re in a state that follows the time changes or lucky enough to live in a place that skips the clock drama, daylight savings time will continue to be a hot topic. Be sure to keep coming back for more updates as we keep our finger on the pulse of daylight savings time!