Idaho from Shoshone County to Coeur d’Alene currently falls on Pacific time while Riggins (below “Time Zone Bridge”) follows Mountain standard time. Under new legislation from Senator Steve Vick, this could change.
Under his plan, Idaho lawmakers would notify the Department of Transportation – which determines time zones – and Washington lawmakers of Idaho’s readiness to act on time zone decisions.
Mountain Time
Idaho is split between two time zones: its northern portion lies within the Pacific Time Zone, while its southern half falls under Mountain Time. Both parts observe Daylight Saving Time during the summer months. There is approximately a 7-hour difference between them.
Idaho lies within the Mountain Time Zone, seven hours ahead of Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). Oregon, Utah, Colorado, and New Mexico form its surrounding borders in this MST zone.
Boise, Twin Falls, and Pocatello in Idaho reside within the Mountain Time Zone – seven hours behind Greenwich Mean Time (GMT). However, parts of its northern half fall under Pacific Time, eight hours behind GMT.
Many find the difference between Mountain Time and Pacific Time confusing, yet it is relatively straightforward. The reason behind their confusion is how time zones operate on latitude and longitude, with 15 degrees representing one hour. Pacific Time Zone encompasses Pacific Northwest and California, while the Mountain Time Zone divides Idaho into Northern and Southern regions.
Idahoans primarily reside within the Mountain Time Zone (MTZ), one hour ahead of Pacific Standard Time (PST). Other western United States towns and cities also use MST time, including Denver, Salt Lake City, Reno, and parts of Canada.
Boise is the capital of Idaho and is located within Mountain Time Zone. Boise is a popular tourist destination and hosts various events throughout the year. Boise boasts parks and outdoor spaces for recreation and an active arts community, including hosting Treefort Music Fest, Boise Farmers Market, and River Festival events.
Idaho and its neighbors Oregon, Utah, and Montana fall within the Mountain Standard Time (MST) time zone; however, its border with Washington is not clearly defined, and some areas in northern Idaho could switch between Pacific Time (wintertime) and Mountain Standard Time (summertime), leading to confusion when crossing borders.
Pacific Time
Idaho lies within the Pacific Time Zone. Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) is 7 hours behind you. In addition, Idaho observes Daylight Savings Time twice annually so people worldwide know when it is time for you to wake up or go to sleep.
The Pacific Time Zone refers to an area in North America spanning from Mexico through Alaska that observes Pacific Standard Time or Daylight Time (PST/PDT). It encompasses much of the US west coast and parts of Australia and Britain.
Idaho is divided between Pacific Time and Mountain Time zones. Most of Idaho observes Pacific Time; only its eastern bordering Oregon uses Mountain Time.
North Idaho cities like Coeur d’Alene and Lewiston currently fall on Mountain Time while South Idaho follows Pacific time; however, a resolution passed by the Idaho Senate could alter that situation. Republican Senator Steve Vick of Dalton Gardens proposed in his answer that northern portions of Idaho remain on Mountain time all year, in line with Washington state. Vick’s resolution informs both the U.S. Department of Transportation, which makes time-zone decisions and Washington that Idaho stands ready to act upon them.
Boise is on Pacific Time, while the remainder of Idaho – including Boise – follows Utah time. Malheur County on Oregon’s border unofficially follows Mountain Time due to economic ties. In 1999, however, the U.S. Department of Transportation officially switched West Wendover into Mountain Time, but most areas continued following Utah time.
When calling Idaho during regular workweek hours, it’s best to call between 9 AM and 5 PM; this will avoid overlapping hours. But if calling from Ponderay, it would be beneficial to contact them between 6 AM and 10 AM since this would ensure the shortest distance between your timezone and theirs.
Mountain Daylight Time
Idaho is divided between two time zones, with most of its southern region adhering to Mountain Standard Time while most of its northern part observing Pacific Daylight Time. The transition can easily be seen when looking at maps or driving along the Salmon River; also, the Time Zone Bridge located in Riggins can indicate this division between north and south Idaho.
In addition to being split between two time zones, Idaho observes daylight savings time during summer. Northern areas north of Salmon River currently follow Pacific Time but will switch over when clocks change in spring; all other regions follow Mountain Standard Time throughout the year.
The United States boasts 37 time zones but is one of only 13 states divided between two different time zones due to sharing its border with Canada, which uses the same time zone.
Time zones are generally divided into 15-degree increments called “lunes,” used to monitor Earth’s rotation and set the standard time. They were initially established in North America by railroad companies who needed their train schedules consistent with others on different railway networks until 1917, when the Interstate Commerce Commission redrew state borders to redrew lines according to time. After World War I, many farmers and businessmen petitioned Congress in an attempt to change or overturn this change.
Most states that observe this time zone can be found in the Western United States and British Columbia province of Canada, typically six hours behind Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). This makes it the most practical time zone for many of these states; however, people unfamiliar with its uses might find it confusing as clocks tend to move at roughly the same time each year.
Pacific Daylight Time
Idaho’s northern region north of Salmon River falls within the Pacific Time Zone. This means that this area falls 8 hours behind GMT during winter, while during Daylight Saving Time (spring to autumn), it moves ahead 7 hours.
PDT stands for Pacific Daylight Time and refers to an abbreviation derived from its position relative to UTC; specifically, it means that summer months find this area one hour ahead and winter seven hours behind. PDT time zone covers parts of the western United States, Canada, the west, Chile, and Mexico.
Idaho is a fantastic state located in the northwestern United States. Bound by Montana and Wyoming on its east border, Utah and Nevada on its south, Oregon and Washington on its west, British Columbia Alberta in Canada on its north, and British Columbia on its northeast, Idaho has plenty to offer visitors – it is often known as “The Gem State,” with Boise as its state capital and Idaho Falls as its primary city.
There are currently 37 time zones worldwide, of which six cover the United States. Time zones are determined by various factors such as geographical boundaries and international agreements; their limits don’t always follow an ideal path; many negotiations and arrangements are made according to specific country populations’ needs.
Timekeeping was once a local matter; many towns did not even possess clocks or watches – solar time alone determined when noon occurred. As people became more mobile through traveling and rail travel, keeping track of time became even more essential.
Early in the 20th century, it was decided that certain regions would observe Mountain Time while others would use Pacific Time. Most areas ended up adhering to Mountain Time, though some places like Shoshone County in Idaho continue to follow both time zones during different months; some signs mark where each change happens across Idaho, such as a Time Zone Bridge on Salmon River in Riggins.
