Turn 16 PTO days into 55 days of vacation: Here's which days to request

A long weekend offers the opportunity to unwind and refresh, and 2025 presents plenty of chances for Americans to plan a quick getaway.

Next year, six federal holidays fall on a Monday and the Fourth of July on a Friday, according to the U.S. Office of Personnel Management. Not all workers get every holiday off, but schools are usually closed across the nation.

With Americans receiving the fewest vacation days globally, taking advantage of these built-in long weekends can offer some much-needed solace from the daily grind. "With vacation deprivation – defined as the feeling of not having enough time off – in the U.S. hitting an 11-year high, it’s clear that working adults could benefit from smarter time-off strategies," Melanie Fish, head of Expedia Group brands public relations, said in an email to USA TODAY.

"The solution? Smartly combining federal holidays with a few PTO days to create extended breaks throughout the year."

Here are all the federal holidays in 2025, along with how to get the best travel deals.

Do travel hacks really exist? Here's the truth on getting better deals and airplane seats.

What are the three-day weekends in 2025?

• Monday, Jan. 20: Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Birthday

• Monday, Feb. 17: Washington's Birthday, also known as Presidents Day

• Monday, May 26: Memorial Day

• Friday, July 4: Fourth of July

• Monday, Sept. 1: Labor Day

• Monday, Oct. 13: Columbus Day, known as Indigenous Peoples Day

What are the other federal holidays in 2025?

When holidays occur on weekends, most employers give workers the preceding Friday or the following Monday off. The holidays below fall on weekdays next year:

• Wednesday, Jan. 1: New Year's

• Thursday, June 19: Juneteenth

• Thursday, Nov. 27: Thanksgiving

• Thursday, Dec. 25: Christmas

How to turn the federal holidays into longer vacations

Sometimes, a three-day weekend isn't enough, but you can add some of your vacation days to score an even longer trip.

"With up to 55 days of vacation on the table in 2025, strategically pairing office and school closures with PTO days can unlock longer vacations throughout the year while ensuring you actually use your time off," said Fish.

Adding a day of PTO to the three-day weekends can extend them into longer getaways, like taking the Thursday before or Monday after the Fourth of July weekend.

Additionally, since Juneteenth, Thanksgiving and Christmas land on a Thursday, you could turn these holidays into that major vacation you've been wanting to take. Taking three days of PTO off around Thanksgiving can become a nine-day trip.

How to turn 16 days of PTO into 55 days of vacation

▶ For New Year's Day (Wednesday, Jan. 1)

• Request PTO for Thursday, Jan. 2 and Friday, Jan. 3

• Consecutive Days Off: 5 days (Jan. 1-5)

▶ For Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Birthday (Monday, Jan. 20)

• Request PTO for Friday, Jan. 17

• Consecutive Days Off: 4 days (Jan. 17–20)

▶ For Presidents Day (Monday, Feb. 17)

• Request PTO for Friday, Feb. 14

• Consecutive Days Off: 4 days (Feb. 14–17)

▶ For Memorial Day (Monday, May 26)

• Request PTO for Friday, May 23

• Consecutive Days Off: 4 days (May 23–26)

▶ For Juneteenth National Independence Day (Thursday, June 19)

• Request PTO for Friday, June 20

• Consecutive Days Off: 4 days (June 19–22)

▶ For Independence Day (Friday, July 4)

• Request PTO for Monday, July 7

• Consecutive Days Off: 4 days (July 4-7)

▶ For Labor Day (Monday, Sept. 1)

• Request PTO for Friday, Aug. 29

• Consecutive Days Off: 4 days (Aug. 29–Sept. 1)

▶ For Indigenous Peoples Day (Monday, Oct. 13)

• Request PTO for Friday, Oct. 10

• Consecutive Days Off: 4 days (Oct. 10–13)

▶ For Veterans Day (Tuesday, Nov. 11)

• Request PTO for Monday, Nov. 10

• Consecutive Days Off: 4 days (Nov. 8–11)

▶ For Thanksgiving Day (Thursday, Nov. 27)

• Request PTO for Monday, Nov. 24; Tuesday, Nov. 25, Wednesday, Nov. 26 and Friday, Nov. 28 (unless you have Friday off already)

• Consecutive Days Off: 9 days (Nov. 22–30)

▶ For Christmas Day (Thursday, Dec. 25)

• Request PTO for Monday, Dec. 22; Tuesday, Dec. 23; Wednesday, Dec. 24 (unless you get Christmas Eve off) and Friday, Dec. 26

• Consecutive Days Off: 9 days (Dec. 20–28)

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How to score cheap travel deals for the holidays

Holidays are notorious for having peak travel prices, but there are a few ways to score cheaper deals. "Flexibility with travel dates and destinations is key to wallet-friendly vacations during busy holiday weekends," said Fish. "Even a small change in travel dates can lead to significant value and fewer crowds."

Consider flying on a weekday or on the holiday itself to potentially save on airfare. According to Expedia, departing on the Thursday before Presidents Day instead of the Saturday can save travelers up to 20% on a roundtrip flight from Atlanta to Austin.

Planning your trip in advance can also help you secure better deals. Expedia's 2024 Air Travel Hacks Report found domestic travelers save up to 24% on domestic airfare when booking 28 days before departure instead of last minute. For international flights, booking around 60 days out saves 10% on average.

The same goes for scoring cheap accommodations, according to Vrbo. "The golden rule when it comes to vacation rentals is to book two months in advance of major holidays to get the best selection and deals available," Fish said. (The exception to this is the Fourth of July, which is so popular that you'll need to book months before to get a good price.)

Some holidays are also more popular for travel than others. Think Christmas compared to Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Birthday and Presidents Day. Expedia's Holiday Travel Outlook found hotel prices in January and February to be 10% cheaper on average than in the summertime. Flight prices during these first two months of the year are also 15% less cheaper compared to the time around Christmas.

During October is when average nightly rates for vacation rentals see their biggest dip, according to Vrbo. "It’s the sweet spot in the shoulder season when travelers can find lower rates and still enjoy warmer weather in many places," said Fish. "If Indigenous Peoples Day is a holiday off for you, this is a good time to squeeze in a trip."

Contributing: Brandi D. Addison

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Which days to take PTO to extend your vacation time to 55 days