Texas is absolutely massive. You probably already knew that, but the sheer scale of the Lone Star State is why asking what time it is in Texas now isn't always as simple as a single number.
Right now, it is 7:26 AM in Austin, Dallas, and Houston. But if you’re standing in the middle of El Paso, checking your watch will reveal it’s actually 6:26 AM.
Texas is one of the few states in the U.S. that effectively splits its loyalties between two different time zones. Most of the state’s 254 counties live their lives on Central Standard Time (CST). However, the far western tip—specifically El Paso and Hudspeth counties—marches to the beat of Mountain Standard Time (MST).
Why the Split Even Exists
It’s not just a geographic quirk. It’s about who you do business with. Back in the early 20th century, the federal government tried to draw these lines to keep commerce flowing.
Most of Texas looks toward the Gulf and the Midwest. El Paso, though? It’s geographically and economically tethered to New Mexico and Chihuahua, Mexico. Because of that connection, it makes more sense for them to be an hour behind the state capital.
If you’re driving west on I-10, you’ll cross that invisible line roughly around the Hudspeth County border. One minute you’re in the Central Time Zone, and the next, you’ve magically gained an hour of your life back.
The Daylight Saving Drama of 2026
We are currently in January 2026. That means we are in the "Standard Time" part of the year.
But things are going to change soon. On Sunday, March 8, 2026, almost every Texan will lose an hour of sleep. At 2:00 AM, the clocks will "spring forward" to 3:00 AM.
This shift to Daylight Saving Time (DST) is something the Texas Legislature has been trying to kill for years. You’ve probably seen the headlines. Governor Greg Abbott even signed a bill (House Bill 1393) back in 2025 that was supposed to make Daylight Saving Time permanent.
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The catch? It’s basically a "zombie law."
Texas can’t just decide to stay on DST year-round by itself. Under the federal Uniform Time Act of 1966, states are allowed to opt out of Daylight Saving Time (like Arizona and Hawaii), but they aren't allowed to stay on it permanently without a literal act of the U.S. Congress. Since Congress hasn't moved on the "Sunshine Protection Act," Texans are still stuck in the loop of changing their microwave clocks twice a year.
Breaking Down the Zones
Let’s get specific. If you are trying to coordinate a call or a visit, here is how the state is sliced up:
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- Central Time (CST/CDT): Covers about 99% of the state. This includes the "Big Four" metro areas: Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, San Antonio, and Austin. It also covers the Panhandle, the Rio Grande Valley, and the Piney Woods of East Texas.
- Mountain Time (MST/MDT): This is the El Paso bubble. It includes El Paso County and Hudspeth County.
- The "Uncertain" Zone: Fun fact—parts of Culberson County, specifically around Guadalupe Mountains National Park, often unofficially observe Mountain Time because it just makes more sense for the hikers and staff coming in from El Paso.
Honestly, the time difference can be a real headache for regional businesses. Imagine a trucking company based in Houston trying to schedule a delivery in El Paso. If they forget that one-hour gap, the driver shows up an hour early to a locked warehouse.
Does it actually save energy?
That’s the million-dollar question. The whole point of Daylight Saving Time was originally to save fuel during World War I and later to reduce energy use.
Modern studies, like those referenced by the Texas Public Policy Foundation, suggest the energy savings are negligible now. In fact, some argue that the extra hour of evening sun in the Texas summer just leads to more air conditioning use. When it’s 105°F in August, you aren't turning the AC off just because it’s still light outside at 8:30 PM.
How to Stay Synced
If you're traveling across the state, your smartphone is usually smart enough to handle the switch. However, if you're using a manual watch or an older vehicle GPS, keep these markers in mind:
- Heading West: Once you pass Van Horn on I-10, keep an eye on your clock. You’re entering the Mountain Time transition.
- Heading East: If you leave El Paso at noon, don't be surprised when you hit the next major town and it's suddenly 2:30 PM.
- The 2026 Calendar: Mark November 1, 2026, on your calendar. That’s when we "fall back" and regain that hour of sleep we lost in March.
Texas is a state that values its independence, but when it comes to time, it’s still very much a part of a larger federal grid. Until the federal government changes its stance, the twice-yearly clock dance remains a Texan tradition, whether we like it or not.
To stay on top of your schedule, double-check your device settings to ensure "Automatic Time Zone" is toggled on before driving through the West Texas desert. If you're planning a meeting between Dallas and El Paso, always specify "Central" or "Mountain" to avoid the inevitable "you're an hour late" phone call.