Starting to plan all your adventures for 2025? It’s a great time to get excited for traveling. If you’re thinking about how to maximize days off in 2025 so that you can take the longest vacations possible while using the least amount of vacation days, then keep reading! We’ll show you how to turn 11 days off into 44 days of vacation in 2025!!
Since PTO isn’t required in the US, we’ll be utilizing the average amount of 11 days to show you how you can make the most of time off. Getting 44 days of vacation in 2025 is simple. By combining federal holidays, weekends, and those 11 PTO days, you can really maximize your time off to have time for extended trips this year.
Maximize PTO in 2025: turn 11 days into 44!
With amount of time off varying so much company-to-company and person-to-person, it’s impossible to create a post that absolutely every person can duplicate to their schedule. That being said, we’ve created the below calendar and mapped it all out in the blog based on the average PTO days an employee in the US gets of 11 days. Keep in mind, this calendar and scheduling is also assuming you work a Monday – Friday job, so if that isn’t you, you’ll need to do some customizing to your own plans.
US federal holidays in 2025
- New Year’s Day – Wednesday, January 1, 2025
- Martin Luther King Jr. Day – Monday, January 20, 2025
- Presidents’ Day – Monday, February 17, 2025
- Memorial Day – Monday, May 26, 2025
- Juneteenth – Thursday, June 19, 2025
- Independence Day – Friday, July 4, 2025
- Labor Day – Monday, September 1, 2025
- Indigenous Peoples’ Day – Monday, October 13, 2025
- Veteran’s Day – Tuesday, November 11, 2025
- Thanksgiving – Thursday, November 27, 2025
- Christmas Day – Thursday, December 25, 2025
Which days to use your PTO in 2025
Vacation time in January
Since New Year’s Day falls on a Wednesday this year, we’d suggest taking off Monday and Tuesdays prior (December 30-31, 2024) to create a 5 day weekend. Maybe you’re even lucky and get New Years Eve off as well, in which case you’ll only be using 1 day of PTO. But if not, you’re still getting 5 days off (from Saturday, December 28 to Wednesday, January 1) for the price of 2.
Another great weekend extender is Martin Luther King Jr day, this year on January 20. To turn this 3 day weekend into a 4 day weekend, you can either take off Friday, January 17 or Tuesday, January 21.
PTO days used so far: 3
Vacation days enjoyed so far: 9
Vacation time in February
2025 has a prime opportunity for a long weekend Valentine’s Day trip in February. Although Valentine’s Day isn’t a federal holiday (sad), Presidents’ Day is. And this year they are on either side of a weekend! February 14 is on Friday and Presidents’ Day is Monday, February 17. So for a perfect 4 day vacation in February 2025, you’re going to take off February 14 and then go ask your boo or your gal pals where they want to go for Valentine’s or Galentine’s. We suggest a European trip to Paris or Italy 😏😍.
PTO days used so far: 4
Vacation days enjoyed so far: 13
Vacation time in March
Unfortunately, there are no federal holidays in March in 2025, so there’s nothing to maximize here. If you’re a college student though – this is likely when your spring break is held! And we’ve got great deals and insights on spring break trips for you.
Vacation time in April
Unfortunately, there are no federal holidays in April in 2025, so there’s nothing to maximize here.
Vacation time in May
After two whole months with a holiday to maximize your days off in 2025, you’re definitely going to be wanting a vacation at this point. Fortunately, May offers you the chance to extend your weekend with Memorial Day, which is on Monday, May 26. So just take off either Friday, May 23 or Tuesday, May 27 and you’ll be able to kick off the warm summer months with time for a quick trip thanks to this now 4 day weekend!
PTO days used so far: 5
Vacation days enjoyed so far: 17
Vacation time in June
Our newest federal holiday, Juneteenth, falls on June 19, which is on a Thursday in 2025. So to maximize your days off with this holiday, you’ll need to take off Friday, June 20 to create a 4 day weekend for yourself. And June 20 is also the first day of summer / the longest day of the year! So kick off your summer with an unforgettable trip! Will you head for somewhere cooler to cool off or to a hot beach to sun yourself?
PTO days used so far: 6
Vacation days enjoyed so far: 21
Vacation time in July
The Fourth of July is on a Friday this year – hooray! Meaning you don’t have to do anything to make it a 3 day weekend. But if you’ve caught on to the vibes of this article, you’ll know are saying why stop there? So to make your Independence Day weekend into a 4 day one, just take off either Thursday, July 3 or Monday, July 7. Our pick for where to go on this long weekend is one of the US National Parks, for America and Independence Day and all.
PTO days used so far: 7
Vacation days enjoyed so far: 25
Vacation time in August
Unfortunately, there are no federal holidays in August in 2025, so there’s nothing to maximize here.
Vacation time in September
The cultural end of summer, Labor Day weekend, is the time for that one last good weather getaway. And while you’ll automatically get a 3 day weekend with the holiday, we’d suggest taking off either Friday, August 29 or Tuesday, September 2 to give yourself a 4 day weekend. That extra day is perfect for being able to fly off (London has great weather this time of year!) and do some exploring of a fun place.
PTO days used so far: 8
Vacation days enjoyed so far: 29
Vacation time in October
For the month of October 2025, out plan doesn’t have you taking off any extra time. But you’ll still be getting a 3 day weekend thanks to Indigenous Peoples’ Day falling on October 13 which is on a Monday. If you’ve got the extra PTO to request, feel free to take some time off on either side of that weekend if you’re craving a longer stretch of time off. That’s just not in our plans here.
PTO days used so far: 8
Vacation days enjoyed so far: 32
Vacation time in November
In November, we’re suggesting taking off two days. This are great days for a getaway, or even for just a breather relaxing before the holidays! First, take off Monday, November 10. Combining with Veteran’s Day on November 11 will give you a 4 day weekend here. Then you’re going to maximize your days off in 2025 by taking off November 28. That’s Black Friday and some companies do give that as a day off, but it’s not an actual holiday, so we’re going off the assumption you’ll need to request it too. And why wouldn’t you take it off? Whether you’re shopping, napping off your Thanksgiving meal, or traveling for the holidays – its a great day to not have to work.
PTO days used so far: 10
Vacation days enjoyed so far: 40
Vacation time in December
For the last day of PTO we’d suggest using if maximizing your time off, we would recommend taking off December 26, Boxing Day/the day after Christmas. Not only will it create 4 day weekend for you since it’s a Friday, but who doesn’t want the day after Christmas off anyways! If you need to do some holiday traveling, taking this day off will definitely be useful, too.
PTO days used so far: 11
Vacation days enjoyed so far: 44
What is HR going to say about maximizing PTO like this?
Its probably total fine but as always just be communicative with your manager about what you’re wanting to take off. Also if you’re in a position where taking time off blocks other people from being able to do the same, be mindful with your requests so that your coworkers can have opportunities for time off too.
Other tips for maximizing PTO?
PTO and vacations are great! So we don’t blame you that you’re looking for every possible way to get as much time off as you possibly can in 2025. So take a peak below at some of other thoughts on things to keep in mind while planning out your vacation time for this year.
Pro tips for PTO taking:
- Plan and schedule your PTO with as much advance notice as possible. That lets others in your company plan around you AND lets you pick the dates that work best for you before others have taken them.
- Save some days for flexibility. You never know when you might need a spontaneous day off, for fun or personal reasons, so it’s good to always have some time banked up. Don’t plan out all your days off for the year at the start and have nothing left that could be used in an emergency or an “emergency”.
- Don’t forget about other time off needs. Your company might have multiple categories for PTO so that your vacation time is for fun and your sick time is for being sick or attending health appointments, etc. No matter how its broken up for you, make sure that you have room in your work schedule to take time off for your doctors appointments so that you’re taking care of yourself!
- If you take business trips as a part of your job, be strategic! Tack on vacation days before or after the trip or schedule the trip itself to line up with a weekend so that you get to say money and time seeing somewhere new for fun.
- USE YOUR TIME! Don’t let any PTO time that won’t role over into the new year go to waste. You’ve earned your time off, so use it!
