Most of the United States will “spring forward” at 2 a.m. Local time on Sunday, March 8, 2026, as Daylight Saving Time begins, shifting clocks ahead one hour.
The annual time change, intended to maximize daylight during the warmer months, will result in the loss of an hour of sleep for many. Clocks will reset from 2:00 a.m. To 3:00 a.m. On that date, according to timeanddate.com and the U.S. Department of Transportation.
Whereas the practice remains widespread, the debate over its utility continues. President Donald Trump has publicly expressed conflicting views on the issue, at one point urging Congress to make Daylight Saving Time permanent, and at other times suggesting a return to standard time. In a Truth Social post last year, Trump called for “more Daylight at the end of a day” and described changing the clocks as “A Particularly COSTLY EVENT!!!” However, prior to that, he indicated a willingness to end Daylight Saving Time altogether.
Advocates for permanent standard time, such as the group Save Standard Time, argue that aligning with our natural circadian rhythms is beneficial for health and safety, particularly regarding morning commutes for students. Conversely, proponents of permanent Daylight Saving Time point to the benefits of extended daylight hours for evening activities and potential economic advantages.
The Sunshine Protection Act, which would establish permanent Daylight Saving Time across the United States, passed the Senate in 2022 but stalled in the House of Representatives. The bill was reintroduced in 2025 but has yet to be passed into law. Several states, including Pennsylvania, have introduced legislation to end the practice of changing clocks twice a year, with Pennsylvania recently passing a Senate resolution urging Congress to act. As of March 2026, 29 states have introduced legislation related to ending clock changes.
Daylight Saving Time will end on Sunday, November 1, 2026, at 2 a.m., when clocks will “fall back” to 1 a.m.
The first day of spring in the Northern Hemisphere, the spring equinox, will occur on Friday, March 20, 2026, at 10:46 a.m. ET.
