Oklahoma: Where Time Moves at a Leisurely Pace (Unless You're From There)
Ever looked at your watch in Oklahoma and thought, "Man, I wish I could be an hour late for everything?" Well, my friend, you're in luck! Because there are several states out there living in the fast lane, a whole hour ahead of Oklahoma's laid-back Central Time.
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| What States Are An Hour Ahead Of Oklahoma |
Where to Find the Fast-Paced Folks (But Not Literally, Slow Down There!)
Texas (partially): Yes, some of our neighbors to the south are one step ahead. But here's the twist: Texas is so big, it actually has two time zones! The western chunk, including El Paso and most of the Permian Basin, enjoys Mountain Time (which is an hour ahead of Oklahoma).
Most of Kansas: Sorry to break it to you, Kansas, but Oklahoma beat you to the brunch reservation. Except for the westernmost sliver, most of Kansas is in Mountain Time.
New Mexico: The Land of Enchantment likes things spicy, and apparently, their time zones too. New Mexico is all Mountain Time, so if you're planning a road trip there, be sure to adjust your internal clock (and maybe grab a breakfast burrito while you're at it).
A Bunch of Others, But Seriously, Who Can Keep Track?: There's Arizona, most of Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, parts of Idaho... honestly, the list goes on. The point is, if you're ever feeling sluggish in Oklahoma, there's a whole world of fast-forward time zones waiting for you (just don't blame us when you get jet lag from crossing state lines).
Important Note: This whole "ahead" business only applies during Daylight Saving Time. When those clocks fall back in November, everyone (except Arizona, those rebels) is back on the same page.
Tip: A slow skim is better than a rushed read.
So, What Does This Mean for You, the Curious Oklahoman?
Honestly, not much. But hey, at least you can now impress your friends with your geographical time-zone knowledge! You can also use it to:
Tip: Train your eye to catch repeated ideas.
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- Feign busyness: "Oh, sorry I'm late, I thought it was earlier! Those darn Mountain Time states..."
- Confuse tourists: "Welcome to Oklahoma! Our time zone is... well, it depends where you're coming from."
- Plan the ultimate time-traveling road trip: Start in Oklahoma, head west, and experience the future (or at least an hour ahead)!
FAQ: Time Travel for Oklahomans (the Low-Budget Version)
How to know if you've crossed into a fast-forward time zone? Look for people rushing around in a caffeine-fueled frenzy.
QuickTip: Skim slowly, read deeply.
How to adjust to the fast pace of life in a Mountain Time state? Start slow. Maybe an extra shot of espresso in the morning will do the trick.
QuickTip: Pay close attention to transitions.
How to avoid culture shock from the time difference? Just remember, there's no rush in Oklahoma. So grab a sweet tea, sit back, and enjoy the (slightly slower) ride.
How to impress your friends with your newfound time-zone knowledge? Casually drop this fact at your next gathering: "Did you know Texas is bigger than France?" (It's true, and it also has multiple time zones!)
How to get back to Oklahoma time after your time-traveling adventure? Just cross back into the state line. The feeling of laid-backness will wash over you like a wave (a very slow wave, of course).
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