You’re probably checking the clock because you have a flight to catch at Harry Reid International, or maybe you’re just trying to figure out if it’s too late to call your friend in Reno.
Right now, most of Nevada is on Pacific Standard Time (PST). If you are standing in the middle of the Las Vegas Strip, looking at the neon lights of the Bellagio, or walking through the quiet streets of Carson City, your watch should be set to UTC-8.
But here’s where it gets kinda weird. Nevada isn't just one big, uniform time block. While we usually think of the Silver State as California’s neighbor sharing the same rhythm, there are pockets of the state that marched off in their own direction years ago.
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What Is The Time In Nevada Now? It Depends On Where You’re Standing
Honestly, the "official" time is only half the story.
For the vast majority of the state—we’re talking 99% of the population—Nevada follows Pacific Time. If it’s 10:50 AM in Los Angeles, it’s 10:50 AM in Las Vegas. Simple, right?
But then there's West Wendover.
This little city on the eastern edge of the state decided back in 1999 that being on Pacific Time made zero sense. Since they are basically a twin city with Wendover, Utah, they officially petitioned the U.S. Department of Transportation to move to Mountain Time.
So, if you drive across the state line from Utah into West Wendover, your phone won't change. But the second you drive a few miles further west into the rest of Elko County, you suddenly "gain" an hour.
The Jackpot Exception
Then you’ve got Jackpot, Nevada.
Technically, by law, Jackpot is supposed to be on Pacific Time. But because it sits right on the Idaho border and serves a massive amount of Idaho tourists from the Boise area (which is Mountain Time), the casinos and businesses there just... decided to use Mountain Time anyway. It’s an "unofficial" shift, but in the world of gambling and hospitality, the customer’s clock is the only one that matters.
- Las Vegas: Pacific Standard Time (PST)
- Reno: Pacific Standard Time (PST)
- West Wendover: Mountain Standard Time (MST)
- Jackpot: Unofficial Mountain Time
The Daylight Saving Tug-of-War
Nevada currently observes Daylight Saving Time (DST). This means we do the whole "spring forward" and "fall back" dance every single year.
In 2026, the clocks are scheduled to jump ahead on March 8th and drop back on November 1st.
There’s been a lot of talk in the Nevada Legislature lately about stopping this. You might have heard about Assembly Bill 81 or various BDRs (Bill Draft Requests) aiming to keep Nevada on one time year-round. Some people want permanent Pacific Standard Time, while others are pushing for permanent Daylight Time so the sun stays out later in the summer.
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As of right now, the law hasn't changed the reality on the ground: you still have to change your microwave clock twice a year.
Why Nevada’s Time Zone Is Such a Headache for Travelers
If you’re driving from Arizona to Nevada, you might think you’re staying in the same time zone.
You aren't.
Arizona (except for the Navajo Nation) doesn't observe Daylight Saving Time. This means for half the year, Arizona and Nevada are on the exact same time. For the other half? They are an hour apart. It’s a logistical nightmare for people commuting between Laughlin, Nevada, and Bullhead City, Arizona. They are separated by a river and, for several months a year, sixty minutes of time.
A Quick Cheat Sheet for 2026:
- Winter (Now until March 8): Nevada is 3 hours behind New York (EST).
- Spring/Summer (March 8 to Nov 1): Nevada shifts to PDT (UTC-7).
- The West Wendover Rule: Always add one hour to the Vegas time if you're in that specific corner of the state.
Getting Your Internal Clock Right
If you're visiting, the dry desert air and the 24/7 nature of the casinos will mess with your head more than the time zone will.
Las Vegas is built to make you forget what time it is. There are no clocks on the casino floors. The lighting stays a perpetual "twilight" or "midday" depending on where you are.
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Basically, don't trust your gut. Trust your phone.
Most smartphones are pretty good at picking up the cell tower signals that tell them exactly which zone you’ve crossed into. However, if you're hiking near the border of Utah or Idaho, your phone might "ping" a tower from the neighboring state and suddenly jump an hour ahead.
Pro Tip: If you're doing a road trip through the rural parts of Elko County or near the Hoover Dam, manually set your phone clock to "Los Angeles" or "Vancouver" time to ensure it stays on Pacific Time, regardless of which tower it hits.
What You Should Do Next
If you’re planning a trip or a meeting, don't just ask "what is the time in Nevada now" and call it a day.
Double-check the specific city. If you’re dealing with anyone in the eastern fringe near the border, clarify if they are following "Vegas time" or "Utah time." Most locals in those border towns are used to the confusion and will specify.
For those of you living here, keep an eye on the state legislature updates. The push for "Permanent PST" is gaining steam, and we might see a year where the clocks stop moving for good. Until then, just remember: spring forward in March, or you’ll be an hour late for your brunch reservation.