Pennsylvania time zone and daylight saving time

Eastern Time Next clock change: Nov 1

Philadelphia, UTC−4Sunrise 7:26 a.m. · Sunset 6:02 p.m. · 10 h 35 min of daylight

Pennsylvania at a glance

Time zone
Eastern
Daylight saving time
Observed. UTC−4 in summer, UTC−5 in winter.
Upcoming clock changes
  • Sunday, November 1, 2026: clocks fall back
  • Sunday, March 14, 2027: clocks spring forward
  • Sunday, November 7, 2027: clocks fall back
  • Sunday, March 12, 2028: clocks spring forward
Each change happens at 2:00 a.m. local time.
Permanent daylight time law
None. Pennsylvania is not among the 19 states the Congressional Research Service lists as having enacted one.

All of Pennsylvania uses Eastern Time and observes daylight saving time: UTC−4 in summer and UTC−5 in winter.

Time zones in bordering states and provinces

Pennsylvania and all of its neighbours use Eastern Time, so the time is the same across every border, all year.

Select a state on the map to see its time zone details.

Time zone map of Pennsylvania and surrounding states. Each state is a link to its page.Counties are shaded by time zone. Hatched counties are split between two zones; dotted areas do not observe daylight saving time.MassachusettsNew JerseyConnecticutWest VirginiaDelawareDistrict of ColumbiaKentuckyMarylandMichiganNew HampshireNew YorkOhioVirginiaVermontRhode Island

Current time in each zone

  • Eastern
  • New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, West Virginia and Ohio: same time all along the border.
  • Ontario: across Lake Erie, Ontario uses Eastern Time and changes its clocks on the same dates.

What permanent time would mean for Pennsylvania

Ending clock changes would mean keeping one time all year: either permanent daylight time or permanent standard time. Here’s how each would shift sunrise and sunset in Philadelphia.

Permanent daylight time

Later winter mornings

8:19 a.m.

Sunrise on the shortest day, December 21 (now 7:19 a.m.).

Winter sunset: 5:39 p.m. (now 4:39 p.m.).

Permanent standard time

Earlier summer evenings

7:33 p.m.

Sunset on the longest day, June 21 (now 8:33 p.m.).

Summer sunrise: 4:32 a.m. (now 5:32 a.m.).

Times for Philadelphia, calculated for 2026. Actual sunrise and sunset can differ by a few minutes with terrain and weather.

Pennsylvania and permanent daylight time

Pennsylvania has not enacted a law to adopt permanent daylight time; it is not among the 19 states the Congressional Research Service lists as having done so.

Lawmakers have considered several directions. In 2025, bills for permanent standard time (House Bill 119), permanent daylight time if Congress allows it (House Bill 153) and Atlantic Standard Time (Senate Bill 364) all failed, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.

Delaware’s 2019 law to stay on daylight time all year can only take effect once Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Maryland pass matching laws, so Pennsylvania’s choice matters next door too (see Delaware).

Any switch to permanent daylight time would need Congress to act first. The U.S. House passed the Sunshine Protection Act in July 2026, and it is now with the Senate.

Common questions

What time zone is Pennsylvania in?

All of Pennsylvania uses Eastern Time and observes daylight saving time.

Is Pittsburgh on the same time as Philadelphia?

Yes. All of Pennsylvania uses Eastern Time.

Why does Delaware’s law depend on Pennsylvania?

Delaware’s 2019 law takes effect only once Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Maryland pass matching laws. Pennsylvania has not done so.

Sources: U.S. Department of Transportation (49 CFR Part 71); Congressional Research Service; Congress.gov; National Conference of State Legislatures.

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