Does Arizona Have Two Time Zones
Daylight saving time can be a bit of a headache for most United States citizens; The twice-yearly change of clocks can be confusing at times and cause mild sleep deprivation for a few days! (Does Arizona Have Two Time Zones)
However, if you’re not a fan of trying to keep track (is it fall ahead? Is spring backward?!), you’ll be happy to know that two states in the country don’t “celebrate” the time. Changes: Most of Arizona and Hawaii.
As a native Arizonan (and thus, you can call me an expert on the subject 😉 ), I will elaborate on why Arizona has two time zones and confusing when crossing Arizona during the daylight-saving season should not be.
You will understand everything in a few minutes! Let’s get started!
Does Arizona have two time zones?
Yes, Arizona can have two time zones depending on the period of the year: Mountain Standard Time (MST), used by most of the state, and Daylight Saving Time (DST), used by the Navajo Nation inside Arizona. (Does Arizona Have Two Time Zones)
Arizona Time Zone Map
The southwestern desert state of Arizona (with red on the map above) is one of two in the country that has opted not to adopt daylight saving time.
Ask any Arizonan during the standard time switch in March and November, and you’ll hear us bragging about how our state is superior to all the others for this reason!
While the rest of the country “springs forward” or “falls back,” Arizona’s time zone remains consistent throughout the year except for one area of the state: the Navajo Nation Reservation in the northeast corner (in yellow on the map above), New Mexico. So, does this mean that Arizona has two time zones? Technically, yes!
Much of Arizona is in the Mountain Time Zone and remains at Mountain Standard Time for the year.
From the second Sunday in March to the first Sunday in November, the Navajo Nation’s clocks are set an hour earlier than the rest of the state (for example, if it’s noon in Phoenix, it’s 1 p.m. on the Navajo reservation). This is known as Mountain Daylight Time. (Does Arizona Have Two Time Zones)
North Carolina
Louisiana.The Navajo Reservation near the Four Corners area has chosen to observe daylight hours like the rest of the country (except the rest of Arizona and the state of Hawaii).
The reservation area is vast (over 27,400 square miles), and because parts of it reach neighboring states that observe daylight saving time, the decision was made in 1968 to stick to the time change.
Interestingly, there is a separate Native American reservation within the Navajo Nation; The Navajo Reservation surrounds the Hopi Reservation (also in red on the map above), and they do not observe daylight hours!
If you drive through the Hopi Reservation from one side and back into Navajo Land, you will change time zones several times in less than 100 miles!
If you thought you would have no reason to visit the Navajo Nation, think again! The world-famous Monument Valley and the beautiful and sacred Canyon de Chelly are located here.
You’ll also find the rising mountain formation known as Ship rocket and several charming small towns filled with hospitable people. (Does Arizona Have Two Time Zones)
Why doesn’t Arizona observe Daylight Saving Time?
In the 1960s, a bill was introduced in Arizona to keep the state’s clocks simultaneously throughout the year. The rationale for observing daylight-saving time is that it gives workers more light in the evening and less in the morning in spring and summer.
Arizona’s legislature decided that since the state has more sunny days and overall daylight hours than other states, we don’t need the extra hours of sunshine in the hot summer months. Most Arizonans would agree; Not having to change the clocks twice a year is a nice benefit!
Not being in the same time zone as neighboring states can sometimes be inconvenient for road trips across state lines, but luckily with today’s technology, most phones and even cars do this automatically for you. (Does Arizona Have Two Time Zones)
Conclusion
While there are technically two time zones in Arizona, you don’t need to worry about checking your clock unless you’re traveling to the far northeast corner of the state.
For most parts of the state, the timing will remain the same throughout the year while the rest of the country jumps back and forth.
Mountain Standard Time is the time zone you’ll follow throughout the state, but if you enter the Navajo Nation between March and November, you’ll notice a jump in Mountain Daylight Time.
Be sure to wow your friends with this obscure piece of trivia that, yes, there are two time zones in Arizona!
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