Virginia Time Zone
Quick answer: All of Virginia is in the Eastern Time Zone. The state observes daylight saving time.
Eastern Time by Law
Virginia law sets Eastern Standard Time as the legal time throughout the Commonwealth, except when Eastern Daylight Time is in effect under federal law.[1] The same section applies Eastern time to state laws and regulations, public schools, state and local institutions, and contracts made or performed in Virginia.[1]
| Period | Name | Offset from UTC |
|---|---|---|
| Most of November to mid-March | Eastern Standard Time (EST) | UTC−5 |
| Mid-March to early November | Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) | UTC−4 |
Daylight Saving Time in Virginia
Virginia follows the federal schedule. Daylight saving time begins at 2:00 a.m. on the second Sunday in March, when clocks move ahead to 3:00 a.m., and ends at 2:00 a.m. on the first Sunday in November, when clocks fall back to 1:00 a.m.[2] In 2026 it ran from March 8 to November 1.[2]
The current schedule comes from the Energy Policy Act of 2005, which took effect in 2007 and lengthened daylight saving time by about a month. The U.S. Department of Transportation, not the states, oversees time zones and daylight saving time.[2]
Frequently asked questions
What time zone is Virginia in?
All of Virginia is in the Eastern Time Zone.
Does Virginia observe daylight saving time?
Yes. Clocks move ahead on the second Sunday in March and back on the first Sunday in November.
Is Virginia Beach in the same time zone as Richmond?
Yes. The whole Commonwealth uses Eastern time under Virginia law.
References
- [1] Code of Virginia, § 1-253. Time zone – last checked 11/08/2026
- [2] National Institute of Standards and Technology, Daylight Saving Time – last checked 11/08/2026
The clock uses your device's time zone database (America/New_York).
