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According to the National Institute of Standards and Technology, for most of the United States, daylight saving time ends at 2 a.m. local time on Sunday, Nov. 1, 2026. At that time, clocks move back one hour to 1 a.m. local standard time. Hawaii, most of Arizona and several U.S. territories do not observe the seasonal time change.
Although “falling back” gives many people an extra hour that weekend, it also shifts an hour of daylight from the evening to the morning. That means sunset and the evening commute will arrive an hour earlier by the clock.
Daylight saving time (DST) was first used in the U.S. during World War I, earning it its original title, War Time. The goal was to reduce energy costs during the war effort, and shortly after WWI, daylight saving time was dropped as a practice. Congress brought it back for World War II but didn’t solidify it as Americans know it today until 1966. Every year, there are serious and not so serious attempts to change the practice. In 2026, there were efforts to legislate the change, but as of this writing, this has not happened.
There’s been debate about the need for DST in recent years, and one reason is the safety risks associated with changing of the clocks and losing an hour of sleep. So, as you’re resetting the clock, be sure to reset your thinking when it comes to road safety.
The biggest driving concern when daylight saving time ends is reduced evening visibility. Earlier sunsets can place more drivers, pedestrians, bicyclists and children traveling home from school on the road after dark.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration advises drivers to be especially vigilant around pedestrians and children as shorter days and earlier sunsets reduce visibility. The agency recommends slowing down in neighborhoods and school zones, watching for children near bus stops and avoiding distractions behind the wheel.
Sleep schedules can also be disrupted when the clocks change. Drowsiness can affect cognition and driving performance at any time of day, but drowsy-driving crashes occur most frequently between midnight and 6 a.m. and during the late afternoon, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Drowsy driving can be more difficult to recognize and measure than many other driving risks. A 2024 study from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety estimated that 17.6% of fatal crashes from 2017 through 2021 involved a drowsy driver. Those crashes resulted in 29,834 fatalities.
Because drivers may not accurately recognize their own level of fatigue, the safest approach is to avoid driving when you have not had enough sleep. Research reviewed by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety found evidence that adequate sleep, naps and caffeine can reduce drowsy-driving risk, while many other commonly suggested strategies have insufficient or mixed evidence behind them.
As your body adjusts to the time change, do what you can to sleep better at night by following an early bedtime routine and reducing screen time before falling asleep. During the day, find ways to stay awake on the road, whether that’s carpooling, drinking caffeine in moderation or exercising before driving. Taking a break every two hours or 100 miles can also help you stay alert.
Staying vigilant on the road means getting covered with the right auto insurance before you get behind the wheel.
Learn MoreUse these tips to prepare for darker commutes and changing sleep schedules:
Make sure your headlights, taillights, brake lights and turn signals are clean and working properly. If your headlights look cloudy, yellowed or dim, consider having the lenses cleaned, restored or inspected.
Your headlights illuminate only a limited area of the road. Reducing your speed gives you more time to identify and respond to pedestrians, animals, stopped vehicles and other hazards.
Leave more room between your vehicle and the one ahead, especially after dark or in poor weather. AAA recommends increasing the following distance to at least four seconds when visibility is reduced.
Pay extra attention around intersections, crosswalks, neighborhoods, school zones and bus stops. Earlier darkness may make people walking or biking more difficult to see, particularly if they are wearing dark clothing.
Clean the inside and outside of your windshield and make sure your wipers are in good condition. Dirt, smudges and streaks can intensify glare from headlights and low autumn sunlight.
Get adequate sleep before driving and try to travel at times when you are normally awake. If you become drowsy, stop somewhere safe rather than trying to push through fatigue.
Put away your phone, set your navigation before leaving and keep your attention on the road. Darkness and lower visibility leave less time to respond.
The national daylight saving time debate remains unresolved.
The U.S. House of Representatives passed the Sunshine Protection Act of 2025 on July 14, 2026. The bill was received by the Senate on July 15 and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation. It would make daylight saving time permanent while allowing certain states and areas that currently remain on standard time to choose between the two systems. Because the legislation had not completed the full federal process, the Nov. 1, 2026, clock change remained scheduled under current law.
The debate is not limited to whether seasonal clock changes should end. Researchers and policymakers also disagree about whether permanent daylight saving time or permanent standard time would be preferable.
A 2025 modeling study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences concluded that either permanent system would produce less circadian burden than switching twice a year. In that model, permanent standard time produced the lowest burden overall, although the projected effects varied by location and chronotype.
As you turn your clocks back, take a few minutes to prepare your vehicle and routine for darker evening drives. Check your lights, clean your windshield, get enough sleep and give yourself more time to see and respond to changing road conditions.
A little preparation can help make the transition safer for drivers and everyone sharing the road.
Make sure you’re prepared wherever the road takes you. Keep your AAA membership information accessible and download the AAA Mobile app for roadside assistance and other member resources.
