When Does the Time Change in New Jersey?

2026 DST Schedule

🌸 Spring Forward

2026-03-08

2:00 AM → 3:00 AM

🍂 Fall Back

2026-11-01

2:00 AM → 1:00 AM

Spring Transition

Lose one hour of sleep but gain evening daylight

Summer Months

Enjoy extended daylight hours for outdoor activities

Fall Transition

Gain an extra hour of sleep as we return to standard time

Winter Months

Earlier sunrises help with morning routines

Health Considerations for New Jersey Residents

Medical research has revealed important health impacts of time changes in New Jersey. The spring forward transition is associated with a 6% increase in heart attacks during the first three days after the change. Car accidents also spike by approximately 6% on the Monday following the spring time change.

Health Tip: Gradually adjust your sleep schedule by going to bed 15 minutes earlier each night for four days before the spring time change.

Agricultural Considerations

Farmers in New Jersey have historically had mixed feelings about DST. While the original justification for DST included giving farmers more daylight hours, modern farming practices rely heavily on the sun's position rather than clock time. Dairy farmers particularly note that cows don't adjust their biological clocks, creating temporary disruptions in milking schedules.

Energy Consumption Patterns in New Jersey

Recent studies on energy consumption during DST in New Jersey show modest savings of approximately 0.8% in electricity usage. However, these savings are offset by increased gasoline consumption as people take advantage of extended daylight for travel and recreation. The net energy impact remains a subject of ongoing research and debate among policy makers.

Did You Know?

Not all countries observe DST - only about 70 countries worldwide use it.
Arizona and Hawaii are the only US states that don't observe DST statewide.
The energy savings from DST are debated, with modern studies showing minimal impact.