New Jersey time zone and daylight saving time

Eastern Time Next clock change: Nov 1

Newark, UTC−4Sunrise 7:24 a.m. · Sunset 5:57 p.m. · 10 h 33 min of daylight

New Jersey 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. New Jersey is not among the 19 states the Congressional Research Service lists as having enacted one.

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

Time zones in bordering states

New Jersey and all three 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 New Jersey 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.MassachusettsPennsylvaniaConnecticutWest VirginiaDelawareDistrict of ColumbiaMarylandNew YorkVirginiaRhode Island

Current time in each zone

  • Eastern
  • New York, Pennsylvania and Delaware: same time all along the border, including across the Hudson and Delaware rivers.

What permanent time would mean for New Jersey

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 Newark.

Permanent daylight time

Later winter mornings

8:17 a.m.

Sunrise on the shortest day, December 21 (now 7:17 a.m.).

Winter sunset: 5:32 p.m. (now 4:32 p.m.).

Permanent standard time

Earlier summer evenings

7:32 p.m.

Sunset on the longest day, June 21 (now 8:32 p.m.).

Summer sunrise: 4:26 a.m. (now 5:26 a.m.).

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

New Jersey and permanent daylight time

New Jersey 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.

Two bills going in opposite directions were pending in 2026: Assembly Bill 1703, to observe daylight saving time year-round, and Senate Bill 293, to stop observing daylight saving time and keep standard time year-round, 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 New Jersey’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 New Jersey in?

All of New Jersey uses Eastern Time and observes daylight saving time.

Is New Jersey on the same time as New York City?

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

Is New Jersey considering ending clock changes?

Yes. Bills for both permanent daylight time and permanent standard time were pending in 2026.

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

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