Discover the 10 States in the Central Time Zone

The Central Time Zone is a North American time zone that is six hours behind Coordinated Universal Time, or UTC. However, most of the zone is only five hours behind UTC during daylight saving time. The Central Time Zone includes parts of the United States, Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean Islands, Central America, and the Eastern Pacific Ocean. Learn about the 10 states in the Central Time Zone, including the states that are only partially in this zone. 

1. Alabama

The southeastern state of Alabama is completely located in the Central Time Zone and observes daylight saving time. However, there are a few areas that unofficially observe the Eastern Time Zone due to their proximity to Georgia. Those that observe EST include Phenix City in Russell County, Lanett and Valley in Chamers County, and a few small towns in Lee County. 

2. Arkansas

Bordering the Mississippi River and known for its beautiful wilderness areas, Arkansas is a Southern state in the Central Time Zone. All counties in the state observe CST and utilize daylight saving time. All of the states that border Arkansas are also in the Central Time Zone region (at least partially), including Missouri, Tennessee, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, and Oklahoma. 

3. Illinois

Nicknamed “the Prairie State,” Illinois is famous for its vast rolling hills and farmland. This Midwest state borders the Mississippi River in the west, including Wisconsin, Indiana, Kentucky, Missouri, and Iowa. All of Illinois observes the Central Time Zone and utilizes daylight saving time. Indiana and Kentucky are the only states that border Illinois that partially observe EST.

4. Iowa

The Midwest state of Iowa sits between two major rivers in the United States – the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers. Iowa is known for its expanses of corn fields and rolling plains, as well as cultural centers in its big cities. Iowa is wholly inside the Central Time Zone, and every state that shares its borders is also in the CST at least partially, including Wisconsin, Minnesota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Missouri, and Illinois.  

5. Louisiana

Located on the Gulf of Mexico, Louisiana is a southeastern state famous for its melting pot of cultures, jazz music, and Mardi Gras festivals. Louisiana completely sits in the Central Time Zone and utilizes daylight saving time. The surrounding states also observe CST, including Mississippi, Arkansas, and Texas. Texas is partially in Mountain Standard Time. 

6. Minnesota

Bordering the largest of the Great Lakes, Lake Superior, Minnesota, is a Midwest state that contains more than 10,000 lakes and many cultural landmarks. Minnesota is completely within the Central Time Zone and observes daylight saving time. This state borders Canada, including Manitoba and Ontario. Ontario observes Eastern Time, while Manitoba observes Central Time. The surrounding U.S. states include Wisconsin, Iowa, South Dakota, and North Dakota. 

7. Mississippi

The Southern state of Mississippi contains part of the Mississippi River and borders the Gulf of Mexico. This state is the birthplace of blues music and has rich cultural sites. Mississippi is wholly in the Central Time Zone, including all of its surrounding states, such as Alabama, Arkansas, Tennessee, and Texas. Texas is partially in MST, and Tennessee is partially in EST.  

8. Missouri

Located in the Midwest region of the United States, Missouri features big cities, BBQ, and music. This state is completely within the Central Time Zone, and all of its surrounding states are at least partially within the zone, including Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas, and Nebraska.

9. Oklahoma

The state of Oklahoma is located in the South-Central region of the United States, where it’s famous for agriculture, American football, and tornadoes. Oklahoma sits completely in the Central Time Zone, but not all of its surrounding states do. Colorado and New Mexico are both in the Mountain Time Zone, which borders the state’s panhandle.

10. Wisconsin

The Midwest state of Wisconsin borders two Great Lakes and is home to beautiful scenery, dairy products, and abundant museums. Wisconsin recognizes the Central Time Zone and daylight-saving time. Its bordering states of Minnesota, Iowa, and Illinois are all within CST.

A Recap of the 10 States in the Central Time Zone (Entirely Contained)

States Partially in the Central Time Zone

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