How to Stretch 12 PTO Days into 50+ Vacation Days in 2025

Can you believe we’re already two weeks into the new year? It’s officially time to start planning your vacations and trips for the year ahead. Most jobs offer between 10-15 PTO days, so being strategic with how you use them is key. If you play your cards right, you can turn 12 PTO days into 50+ consecutive vacation days in 2025. Yes, that means plenty of time for a quick four-day escape to Jamaica and a dreamy seven-day getaway to Santorini, Greece.

We’re here to give you the game plan, but you’ve got to act fast and start requesting those days off now. Honestly, we’re a little late to the party ourselves—you could’ve taken today (January 17th) off and turned MLK/Inauguration weekend into a solid winter getaway. Especially with how freezing it is in the DMV right now, that would’ve been clutch.

But no worries, it’s not too late. Let’s map out the perfect PTO strategy for the rest of the year so you can maximize your days off and make 2025 your most well-rested year yet. Here’s your plan.

Step 1: Understand the Holiday Calendar

The key to this plan is leveraging federal holidays. Here’s what’s available in 2025:

• New Year’s Day: Wednesday, January 1
• Martin Luther King Jr. Day: Monday, January 20
• Presidents’ Day: Monday, February 17
• Memorial Day: Monday, May 26
• Independence Day: Friday, July 4
• Indigenous Peoples’ Day (Columbus Day): Monday, October 13
• Thanksgiving: Thursday, November 27
• Christmas Day: Thursday, December 25

By combining these holidays with weekends and PTO, you can create long stretches of time off while preserving most of your PTO days.

Step 2: The Month-by-Month Plan

January: New Year’s and MLK Weekend

1. New Year’s Break
   • Take off: Thursday, January 2, and Friday, January 3
   • Combined with: New Year’s Day (Wednesday, January 1) and the weekend
   • Days off: 5 days (January 1–5)
   • PTO used: 2 days
2. MLK Weekend
   • Take off: Friday, January 17
   • Combined with: MLK Day (Monday, January 20) and the weekend
   • Days off: 4 days (January 17–20)
   • PTO used: 1 day

February: Presidents’ Day

• Take off: Friday, February 14
• Combined with: Presidents’ Day (Monday, February 17) and the weekend
• Days off: 4 days (February 14–17)
• PTO used: 1 day

May: Memorial Day

• Take off: Tuesday, May 27 – Friday, May 30
• Combined with: Memorial Day (Monday, May 26) and the weekend
• Days off: 9 days (May 24–June 1)
• PTO used: 4 days

July: Independence Day

• Take off: Monday, July 7, and Tuesday, July 8
• Combined with: Independence Day (Friday, July 4) and the weekend
• Days off: 5 days (July 4–8)
• PTO used: 2 days

October: Indigenous Peoples’ Day

• Take off: Friday, October 10
• Combined with: Indigenous Peoples’ Day (Monday, October 13) and the weekend
• Days off: 4 days (October 10–13)
• PTO used: 1 day

November: Thanksgiving

• Take off: Monday, November 24 – Wednesday, November 26
• Combined with: Thanksgiving (Thursday, November 27), Black Friday, and the weekend
• Days off: 9 days (November 23–December 1)
• PTO used: 3 days

December: Christmas and New Year’s

• Take off: Friday, December 26, Monday, December 29, and Tuesday, December 30
• Combined with: Christmas (Thursday, December 25), New Year’s (January 1), and the weekends
• Days off: 9 days (December 25–January 4)
• PTO used: 3 days

The Final Breakdown

Step 3: Planning Tips

1. Submit PTO Requests Early: Popular holidays like Thanksgiving and Memorial Day fill up quickly. Get ahead of the game by submitting your requests as soon as you can.
2. Coordinate with Your Team: Ensure your work is covered during your time off to avoid stress and interruptions.
3. Be Budget-Savvy: If you’re planning to travel, book flights and accommodations early to secure the best deals.

Your PTO is your chance to reset and recharge, whether that means traveling, spending time with loved ones, or simply enjoying a slower pace of life. With this strategy, you can maximize your time off without sacrificing all your PTO days, giving you the freedom to focus on what truly matters to you.

By planning ahead and using your time strategically, 2025 could be your most restful and fulfilling year yet. Whether you’re heading to the beach, visiting family, or just enjoying a break from your routine, this is the perfect opportunity to make the most of every moment.