Daylight Saving Time 2026: When Clocks Fall Back and Why We Still Change Them

Updated: July 31, 2026, 8:57 a.m. ET

When Does Daylight Saving Time End in 2026?

Mark your calendars! Daylight saving time ends at 2 a.m. local time on Sunday, November 1, 2026.

At that moment, clocks “fall back” one hour—from 2 a.m. to 1 a.m. This means:

• You gain an extra hour of sleep that night.
• Sunsets will happen earlier in the evening.
• Mornings will be brighter through the winter months.

Quick rule to remember:

• Daylight saving time starts on the second Sunday in March.
• Daylight saving time ends on the first Sunday in November.

Important Callout
Most of the U.S. will change clocks on Nov. 1, 2026. Only a few states and territories stay on standard time year-round (see below).

Why Are Americans Still Changing Their Clocks?

The short answer: Congress hasn’t passed a new law.

Even though many people—including President Donald Trump—want to stop the twice-a-year clock switch, the House of Representatives passed a bill in July 2026 to make daylight saving time permanent. But the bill still needs to pass the Senate, and Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R‑South Dakota) has said it’s unclear whether there are enough votes.

Key points:

• Lawmakers from both parties have tried for years to either make daylight saving time permanent or eliminate clock changes entirely.
• The Senate passed the Sunshine Protection Act in 2022, but it never became law.
• President Trump has personally called senators to urge support, saying, “Hopefully the Senate’s going to approve that one.”
• Until both chambers of Congress agree and the president signs it, the current rule stays in place.

Do All States Observe Daylight Saving Time?

No. Several states and U.S. territories stay on standard time all year and never change their clocks:

• Hawaii
• Most of Arizona (except the Navajo Nation)
• American Samoa
• Guam
• Northern Mariana Islands
• Puerto Rico
• U.S. Virgin Islands

Everyone else in the U.S. switches between daylight saving time and standard time each spring and fall.

What Do Americans Think About Clock Changes?

Poll after poll shows most people are tired of adjusting their clocks twice a year.

• 2023 YouGov survey: 62% of Americans favored eliminating the twice-yearly clock changes.
• January 2025 Gallup poll: 54% wanted to end daylight saving time altogether.
  • 48% preferred year-round standard time.
  • 24% favored permanent daylight saving time.

In short: a clear majority wants the clock-switching to stop—they just disagree on which time should stay.

What Do Health Experts Say?

Sleep scientists and doctors warn that changing clocks messes with our bodies’ natural rhythms.

Erik Herzog, a biology and neuroscience professor at Washington University in St. Louis and former president of the Society for Research on Biological Rhythms, says:

• Permanent standard time would be the healthiest option.
• Clock changes disrupt circadian rhythms—your body’s internal clock that controls sleep, hunger, and hormone release.
• The spring “spring forward” (losing an hour) is especially hard and has been linked to:
  • More heart attacks
  • More car crashes

Important Callout
Experts agree: Staying on one time year-round—especially standard time—is better for your health than switching back and forth.

Will Daylight Saving Time End Anytime Soon?

For now, plan on another clock change this fall.

Congress is still debating whether to make daylight saving time permanent or scrap seasonal changes entirely. But no bill has become law yet. That means most of the country will still set clocks back one hour on November 1, 2026—continuing a tradition that many voters, health experts, and even the president say they’re ready to leave behind.

Summary

• Daylight saving time ends at 2 a.m. local time on Sunday, November 1, 2026 (clocks fall back to 1 a.m.).
• Most of the U.S. observes the change; Hawaii, most of Arizona, and several territories do not.
• Congress has not passed a law to stop the twice-yearly switch, despite bipartisan efforts and presidential support.
• Polls show a majority of Americans want to end clock changes.
• Health experts recommend permanent standard time for better sleep and safety.
• Until legislation passes, expect to change your clocks again this November.

FAQ

1. When exactly do I need to change my clocks in 2026?
At 2 a.m. local time on Sunday, November 1, 2026. Most people set clocks back before bed on Saturday night.

2. Why don’t Hawaii and Arizona change their clocks?
They chose to stay on standard time year-round. Arizona (except the Navajo Nation) opted out decades ago because extra evening daylight isn’t helpful in its hot climate. Hawaii’s location near the equator means day length hardly varies.

3. What’s the difference between permanent daylight saving time and permanent standard time?

• Permanent daylight saving time = clocks stay “sprung forward” all year (later sunsets, darker winter mornings).
• Permanent standard time = clocks stay “fallen back” all year (earlier sunsets, brighter winter mornings). Health experts prefer standard time.

4. Has any bill to stop clock changes passed both chambers of Congress?
No. The Senate passed the Sunshine Protection Act in 2022, and the House passed a similar bill in July 2026, but neither became law because the other chamber didn’t approve it.

5. Will my phone and computer update automatically?
Yes, most internet-connected devices (smartphones, computers, smartwatches) adjust automatically. You only need to change manual clocks (wall clocks, microwaves, car dashboards, etc.).

Contributing: Reuters; Bart Jensen, Zachary Schermele, Jorge L. Ortiz, Fernando Cervantes Jr., Emily DeLetter, Julia Gomez, Kinsey Crowley, USA TODAY

Saman Shafiq is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at sshafiq@gannett.com and follow her on X and Instagram @saman_shafiq7.