In Which Time Zone is Texas?

1. About Daylight Savings Time

Texas and other states following the Central Time Zone will start to observe Daylight Saving Time mid-March and will do so until early November. As of the year 2007, the local time will change on the second Sunday of the month of March, specifically changing local standard time from 2:00 AM to 3:00 AM. The change will then be reverted on the first Sunday of November.

2. The Exception to the Texas Time Zone

• Which time zone does most of Texas follow?
  • Most of Texas follows the Central Time Zone (CT).
• Which Texas counties follow the Mountain Time Zone?
  • The two westernmost counties in Texas that follow the Mountain Time Zone (MT) are:
  • El Paso County
  • Hudspeth County
  • These counties are seven (7) hours behind UTC when following Mountain Standard Time (MST).
• Do El Paso and Hudspeth counties observe daylight savings time?
  • Yes, both counties observe Daylight Saving Time (DST).
  • During DST, they switch to Mountain Daylight Time (MDT), which is six (6) hours behind UTC.
• What is the difference between MST and MDT?
  • Mountain Standard Time (MST) is used outside of daylight savings and is UTC-7.
  • Mountain Daylight Time (MDT) is used during daylight savings and is UTC-6.
  • The term “Mountain Time” can refer to either MST or MDT, so “MST” is often used to specify standard time.
• When does Texas observe daylight savings?
  • Like the rest of Texas, El Paso and Hudspeth counties change their clocks at 2:00 AM to 3:00 AM on:
  • The second Sunday of March (beginning of daylight savings time)
  • The first Sunday of November (end of daylight savings time)
• Why is Texas unique when it comes to time zones?
  • Texas is known as one of the few places where you can stand in two time zones at once.
  • El Paso and Hudspeth counties are very close to surrounding states, leading to unique time zone overlaps.
• Where can you stand in two time zones at once?
  • Although you can stand in two states at once at state borders, only in New Mexico can you stand in two different time zones.

3. But Why Does El Paso Have a Different Time Zone

• Why does El Paso have a different time zone from the rest of Texas?
  • El Paso follows the Mountain Time Zone, while most of Texas follows the Central Time Zone.
  • This is mainly because El Paso is geographically closer to San Diego than to Houston.
  • El Paso has a unique cultural identity, with fewer traces of the Texas accent than other cities in the state.
• How do people joke about El Paso’s time zone difference?
  • Some say that El Paso is “literally behind the times.”
  • Others quip that they prefer it that way to have “one less hour to deal with the other Texans each day.”
• How does the time difference affect travel to and from El Paso?
  • There’s a joke that traveling to Austin takes an hour, but due to the time difference, the return trip to El Paso “only takes 30 minutes.”

4. El Paso Facts to Know

• Why is El Paso famous?
  • El Paso became famous thanks to the song “El Paso” by Marty Robbins, which was a hit in 1959.
  • It is located in the westernmost part of Texas and is near the Rio Grande.
  • It is the largest city in a unique international metropolitan area that includes:
  • Las Cruces, New Mexico
  • Juarez, Mexico
• What makes El Paso unique in Texas?
  • El Paso follows the Mountain Time Zone (MT), while most of Texas follows the Central Time Zone (CT).
• What are some interesting historical facts about El Paso?
  • Plaza Hotel – The first high-rise hotel in El Paso, built in 1930 by Conrad Hilton. It remains an iconic landmark.
  • The Margarita Origin Story – El Paso is believed to be the birthplace of the famous Margarita cocktail, said to have been invented by Francisco “Pancho” Morales at Tommy’s Place on July 4, 1945.
  • Mount Cristo Rey – Home to a statue of Christ blessing the people, often mistaken for a crucifix.
  • Doubletree Hotel – Formerly the El Paso International Hotel, where stars like Ali MacGraw, Steve McQueen, and Elvis Presley once stayed.
  • El Paso Street – The oldest street in the city, walked by legends like Wyatt Earp, Billy the Kid, President William Taft, Pancho Villa, and Pat Garrett. It was also the site of the Four Dead in Five Seconds Gunfight in 1881.
  • Ysleta del Sur Pueblo – One of the only two Native American reservations in Texas, established in 1682 and still a vibrant part of the region’s culture.
• What are El Paso’s famous nicknames?
  • El Paso is often called the “Sun City” because it enjoys 302 days of sunshine per year.
  • In the 1800s, it was known as the “Six-Shooter Capital” due to high levels of lawlessness.
• Why should visitors be aware of time zones in Texas?
  • Crossing into El Paso from other parts of Texas means switching from Central Time (CT) to Mountain Time (MT).
  • For travelers, remembering the correct time zones can help avoid confusion when planning trips.
• What should visitors do when in El Paso?
  • Visit the historical landmarks mentioned above and enjoy the city's rich culture and history.
  • Try the Margarita and explore the vibrant food scene.