Got 4 PTO Days Left? Here's How to Turn Them Into 16
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2025 Federal Holidays
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Columbus Day/ Indigenous Peoples' Day
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Veterans Day
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Thanksgiving
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Christmas
As the last beach days fade and September routines settle in, it can feel like 2025 is already winding down. The kids are back in school, inboxes are filling up, and those carefree summer Fridays feel like a distant memory already.
But here’s the secret: the best time to travel might just be right now. Fall is the ultimate shoulder season—think smaller crowds, perfect weather, and even better deals.
Running low on PTO? Don’t panic—there's still a way to take more than two weeks off this year (without quitting your job.) With a little clever planning, you can stretch just four vacation days into an incredible 16 days off by pairing your PTO with federal holidays and weekends. Here's how to do it.
Save this calendar of federal holidays, which most workers should get off. These holidays don’t count towards your vacation time.
| Date | Holiday |
| Wednesday, January 01 | New Year’s Day |
| Monday, January 20 | Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr. |
| Monday, February 17 | Washington’s Birthday |
| Monday, May 26 | Memorial Day |
| Thursday, June 19 | Juneteenth National Independence Day |
| Friday, July 04 | Independence Day |
| Monday, September 01 | Labor Day |
| Monday, October 13 | Columbus Day/Indigenous Peoples' Day |
| Tuesday, November 11 | Veterans Day |
| Thursday, November 27 | Thanksgiving Day |
| Thursday, December 25 | Christmas Day |
Since Monday, October 12, is a federal holiday, you could take either the Friday before or the Tuesday after to get a four-day weekend.
PTO Days Used: 1
Total Days Off: 4
Veterans Day falls on a Tuesday in 2025, so take Monday, November 10th off for a four-day weekend.
PTO Days Used: 1
Total Days Off: 4
Thanksgiving is on Thursday, November 27th in 2025. Take off the following Friday to get a four-day weekend.
PTO Days Used: 1
Total Days Off: 4
Cap off your year of strategic travel with one last hurrah. Take December 26th as PTO and gift yourself a 4-day weekend.
By following this PTO playbook, you'll stretch your vacation days like a pro, turning 4 days of leave into 16 days of adventure.
PTO Days Used: 1
Total Days Off: 4