Rhode Island time zone and daylight saving time

Eastern Time Next clock change: Nov 1

Providence, UTC−4Sunrise 7:14 a.m. · Sunset 5:44 p.m. · 10 h 29 min of daylight

Rhode Island 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. Rhode Island is not among the 19 states the Congressional Research Service lists as having enacted one.

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

Time zones in bordering states

Rhode Island and both 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 Rhode Island 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.MassachusettsConnecticutNew HampshireNew YorkVermont

Current time in each zone

  • Eastern
  • Connecticut and Massachusetts: same time all along the border.

What permanent time would mean for Rhode Island

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 Providence.

Permanent daylight time

Later winter mornings

8:10 a.m.

Sunrise on the shortest day, December 21 (now 7:10 a.m.).

Winter sunset: 5:18 p.m. (now 4:18 p.m.).

Permanent standard time

Earlier summer evenings

7:24 p.m.

Sunset on the longest day, June 21 (now 8:24 p.m.).

Summer sunrise: 4:11 a.m. (now 5:11 a.m.).

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

Rhode Island and permanent daylight time

Rhode Island 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.

The state has floated joining the Atlantic Time zone in the past. In 2026, a bill going the other way (Senate Bill 2179), to stop observing daylight saving time and keep Eastern Standard Time year-round, was pending, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.

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 Rhode Island in?

All of Rhode Island uses Eastern Time and observes daylight saving time.

Is Providence on the same time as Boston?

Yes. Both use Eastern Time and change their clocks on the same dates.

Is Rhode Island considering ending clock changes?

Yes. A 2026 bill would keep Eastern Standard Time year-round.

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

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