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How to Snag 44 Vacation Days This Year

Maximize Your Travel in 2025 By Turning 11 PTO Days into 44 Vacation Days 🗓️ 🤩

Looking to plan ahead for vacation in 2025? With the U.S. not having a federal requirement of minimum Paid Time Off (PTO), it can be hard to find enough time to take a vacation.

However, we are here to show you how to make the most of your time off next year utilizing weekends, the average of 11 paid vacation days, and public holidays to maximize your vacation time in 2025. We'll show you below how to turn 11 days of annual leave into 44 days of vacation.

Published by

Sophie_Coderre·4/4/2024

If you're still looking to make the most out of your 2024 travel, read this article to maximize the remainder of your PTO.

Turning 11 Days to 44

Americans often receive fewer vacation days compared to workers in other developed countries like the UK and Germany, who enjoy a minimum of 24 days off per year for full-time employment, not counting public holidays and sick leave. If you're feeling overwhelmed about planning your 2025 travel adventures, we're here to help. Let's streamline the process and make the most of your vacation days next year.

*Please note that the example dates below are based on the assumption that you work a Monday-to-Friday schedule.

First, let's review the National Public Holidays in the U.S. These will be integrated with the 11 days of PTO and weekends to optimize your vacation time.

New Year's Day: Wednesday, January 1st, 2025
Martin Luther King Jr. Day: Monday, January 20th, 2025
Presidents' Day: Monday, February 17th, 2025
Memorial Day: Monday, May 26th, 2025
Juneteenth: Thursday, June 19th, 2025
Independence Day: Friday, July 4th, 2025
Labor Day: Monday, September 1st, 2025
Indigenous Peoples' Day: Monday, October 13th, 2025
Veteran's Day: Tuesday, November 11th, 2025
Thanksgiving: Thursday, November 27th, 2025
Christmas Day: Thursday, December 25th, 2025

Here's Our Recommendation for Which Days to Utilize for Time Off

Before we start, these months do not have any vacation days and are, therefore, blackout months in relation to this article; March, April, and August

Vacation Time in January

In 2025, New Year's Day falls on a Wednesday. If you have New Year's Eve (Tuesday) off, we suggest taking Monday off (and optionally Tuesday) to create an extended weekend. By extending from Saturday, December 28th, to Wednesday, January 1st, you'll enjoy a five-day weekend for your vacation getaway. Moreover, you'll only need to take a maximum of two days off. We recommend checking out the Idaho Potato Drop in Boise for NYE or maybe checking out another quirky festivity.

Vacation Days Taken So Far: Five, Nine Left of Annual Leave

We know that you already took some time off in the month of January, and this is something you may have to discuss with leadership at your company, but if you're really looking to extend your vacation time, we really recommend taking advantage of Martin Luther King Jr. Day always landing on a Monday and you can extend this trip to Tuesday, January 21st. Saturday, January 18th, to Tuesday, January 21st.

Vacation Days Taken So Far: Nine, Eight Left of Annual Leave

Looking for suggestions on where to travel in January?

Check Out Our January Page

Vacation Time in February:

Though Valentine's Day isn't a public holiday, Presidents' Day is, and this year it lands on Monday, February 17th, just three days after Valentine's Day. Why not take Friday the 14th (Valentine's Day) off and extend your trip through Monday, the 17th? Grabbing four more days of vacation time. February is the perfect time to venture over to Europe. Make it a romantic city break and grab cheap flight to Paris or Rome for example.

Vacation Days So Far: 13, Seven Left of Annual Leave

Looking for suggestions on where to travel in February?

Check Out Our February Page

Vacation Time in May:

While you may not have ventured far in March or April, May presents an ideal opportunity to plan your next adventure. With Memorial Day falling on Monday, May 26th, and summer on the horizon, it's the perfect moment to secure a four-day weekend getaway. Consider exploring destinations like Mexico or other international locations, as many popular U.S. destinations are likely to be crowded.

Vacation Days So Far: 17, Six Left of Annual Leave

Looking for suggestions on where to travel in May?

Check Out Our May Page

Vacation Time in June:

Juneteenth lands on Thursday, June 19th next year, so, you're going to want to reserve Friday, June 20th off and extend your trip through to Sunday, taking another four day weekend. As the weather starts to heat up in the northern hemisphere, why not make a trip up to somewhere like Banff, Canada, where mountain lakes are starting to fully unthaw and summer is just around the corner.

Vacation Days So Far: 21, Five Left of Annual Leave

Looking for suggestions on where to travel in June?

Check Out Our June Page

Vacation in July:

Next year, Fourth of July lands on a Friday. Make the most out of this summer holiday and take Thursday the 3rd off, making it a long weekend. Spend Fourth of July in one of America's stunning National Parks.

Vacation Days So Far: 25, Four Left of Annual Leave

Looking for suggestions on where to travel in July?

Check Out Our July Page

Vacation in September:

Labor Day next year falls on Monday, September 1st. Take the following Tuesday off and make it another four-day weekend. We recommend taking advantage of fair season and checking out a local fair or going leaf peeping around that time in New England, if the leaves hit their peak then.

Vacation Days So Far: 29, Three Left of Annual Leave

Looking for suggestions on where to travel in September?

Check Out Our September Page

Vacation in October:

In October, we are going to avoid taking a day from your annual leave bank, but instead, you'll get to enjoy a three-day weekend with Monday, October 13th off. Maybe make a city trip and head to Nashville for a weekend, or head to Dollywood in Pigeon Forge and explore the Smoky Mountains.

Vacation Days So Far: 32, Three Left of Annual Leave

Looking for suggestions on where to travel in October?

Check Out Our October Page

Vacation in November:

Veteran's Day is a public holiday on Tuesday, November 11th so, we are going to take Monday off and make it a four-day weekend. This would be a time to consider traveling to New York City as the Christmas season will start to kick off.

Vacation Days So Far: 36, Two Left of Annual Leave

As with every year, Thanksgiving is on the last Thursday of November. Take Friday, November 28th off as well and extend your vacation through the weekend, grabbing another four-day trip.

Vacation Days So Far: 40, One Left of Annual Leave

Looking for suggestions on where to travel in November?

Check Out Our November Page

Vacation in December:

Now, we come to the end of the year, but arguably the most wonderful time of the year! Finish off the year with one last public holiday that you can turn into a five-day weekend. Next year, Christmas Day falls on a Thursday, so you'll want to take Friday off along with the weekend making another four-day vacation period.