Some U.S. states and territories have decided not to change their clocks twice a year to better match daylight hours, but most states and territories do.
In these rare cases, standard time stays the same all year, so they do not have to change their clocks every six months like most of the country does.
Many places use daylight saving time (DST), but some states and territories do not because it is not possible or because of where they live.
These places have not seen much of a gain from switching to daylight saving time, possibly because the daylight hours do not change much or because of their unique climate.
States That Do Not Follow Daylight Saving Time
Hawaii
Hawaii does not use daylight saving time because it has a tropical temperature and is far away from other places. Because it is so close to the equator, there are not many changes in lighting hours throughout the year, so there is no need to change the clocks.
Arizona
Arizona has chosen not to use daylight saving time because it is so hot there. Arizona stays cooler during the hottest parts of the day because they do not change the clocks forward or backward.
This means that their air conditioners use less energy. For some reason, the Navajo Nation, which includes parts of Arizona, Utah, and New Mexico, does not follow daylight saving time like the rest of the state does.
U.S. Territories That Do Not Change Their Clocks
American Samoa
Because Puerto Rico is in the Caribbean and close to the equator, the number of bright hours does not change much throughout the year. Puerto Rico does not use daylight saving time because of this.
Guam
This part of the United States that is in the Pacific also stays on standard time all year. Like other island regions, Guam does not have much change in daylight, so there is no need to change the clocks.
American Samoa
Because it is in the South Pacific, American Samoa stays on standard time all year, just like Guam and Puerto Rico.
Islands of the U.S.
The Caribbean island group of the U.S. Virgin Islands also does not use daylight saving time because the hours of sunshine change so little throughout the year.
Reasons For Not Observing Daylight Saving Time
States and regions that do not use daylight saving time usually do so because of where they are located or because it is easier that way
. In places close to the equator, like Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and Guam, the number of daylight hours does not change much throughout the year, so changing the clocks does not really help.
In Arizona, the weather is the main reason. In the summer, the state’s temperatures can get very high. Keeping to standard time helps keep people cooler during busy hours, which means they use less energy and air conditioning.
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.
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