United States Time Zones Quiz

by

United States Time Zones Quiz

Time zone boundaries, offsets, states by time zone (10 questions).

1 / 10
00:00

United States Time Zones Quiz: Quick Study Notes

The United States spans a vast geographic area, requiring nine official time zones to coordinate commerce, travel, and daily life. From the Atlantic coast to the islands of the Pacific, understanding these zones and their offsets is essential for grasping U.S. geography.

Contiguous US The lower 48 states follow four main time zones: Eastern (ET), Central (CT), Mountain (MT), and Pacific (PT).
Daylight Saving Most of the US observes Daylight Saving Time (DST), with the notable exceptions of Hawaii and most of Arizona.
Split States Time zone boundaries often follow state lines, but 15 states, such as Tennessee and Florida, are split between two zones.
Total Range The time difference extends significantly; when it is noon in New York, it is only 6:00 AM in Hawaii.

Key Takeaways

  • The Eastern Time Zone is the most populous zone in the country.
  • There is a 3-hour time difference between the East Coast (NY) and West Coast (CA).
  • Alaska has its own time zone (Alaska Time), which is one hour behind Pacific Time.
  • The Navajo Nation in Arizona does observe Daylight Saving Time, unlike the rest of the state.
  • Time zone boundaries are regulated by the Department of Transportation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the four main time zones in the contiguous United States?

From east to west, they are Eastern Time (ET), Central Time (CT), Mountain Time (MT), and Pacific Time (PT).

Which two states do not observe Daylight Saving Time?

Hawaii and Arizona (with the exception of the Navajo Nation) do not observe Daylight Saving Time and stay on Standard Time year-round.

What is the time difference between New York and California?

There is a 3-hour time difference. When it is 12:00 PM in New York (Eastern), it is 9:00 AM in California (Pacific).

Are any U.S. states split between two time zones?

Yes, 15 states are split. Common examples include Florida (Eastern/Central), Tennessee (Eastern/Central), and Nebraska (Central/Mountain).

What time zone is Hawaii in?

Hawaii is in the Hawaii-Aleutian Time Zone (HST), which is 2 hours behind Pacific Standard Time (or 3 hours behind during Pacific Daylight Time).

GeoQuizzy.com • United States Time Zones Quiz

Leave a Comment