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Your 2026 Travel Plan: 15 PTO Days = 32 Days Away

Most Americans get 15 PTO days and somehow never use them all.

Not because they don't want to travel. Because "I'll figure it out later" turns into December 20th with 8 unused days expiring.

The difference between people who travel and people who don't? They put it on the calendar in January.

Here's your exact 2026 blueprint. Five trips using 15 PTO days = 32 days away. Screenshot this and block the dates today.

The Math That Works

15 PTO days = 32 days of travel when you use weekends and holidays strategically.

How:

• Friday off = 3-day weekend (1 PTO day)

• Monday + Friday = 4-day trip (2 PTO days)

• Holiday weekend + 2 days = 5 days away (2 PTO days)

January: Request Your Time Off TODAY

Block these dates now:

• April 14-20 (spring break)

• May 23-26 (Memorial Day)

• July 3-6 (July 4th)

• September 4-8 (Labor Day)

• Two October Fridays

Check 2026 school calendars and federal holidays to confirm timing.

April: Spring Break Adventure

Dates: April 13-19 (7 days) | PTO Used: 5 days

Weather: Southwest 70-80°F, perfect hiking temps

Book by: Feb 15 (flights), Mar 1 (lodging)

Budget Option: Southwest National Parks

Route: Fly into Phoenix or Vegas, loop through Sedona → Grand Canyon → Monument Valley

Costs:

• Flights: $250-450 per person

• Car rental: $300-450 (Costco Travel often beats other sites)

• Camping: $20-35/night OR hotels $80-120/night

• Park fees: $30-35 each

• Food: $60-90/day

Total: $2,800-4,800 for family of 4

Why April: 70s-80s for hiking. Not 105°F. Spring wildflowers blooming. Reserve campsites at Recreation.gov.

Mid-Range: Utah's Mighty Five

Route: Fly into SLC or Vegas → Zion (3 days) → Bryce (1 day) → Capitol Reef (1 day) → Moab (2 days)

Costs:

• Flights: $300-500 per person

• Car rental: $350-500

• Lodging: $120-180/night

• Food: $70-100/day

Total: $4,200-6,000 for family of 4

Why April: 60-75°F. Rivers full. Check Zion's website for shuttle reservations (required).

International: Costa Rica

Route: San José → Arenal Volcano → Monteverde Cloud Forest → Manuel Antonio beaches

Costs:

• Flights: $450-750 per person

• Car rental: $400-600

• Budget hotels: $80-140/night

• Food: $50-80/day

Total: $4,500-6,800 for family of 4

Why April: Dry season. 75-85°F. Wildlife active.

May: Memorial Day Weekend

Dates: May 22-25 (4 days) | PTO Used: 2 days

Book by: March 15

Shenandoah National Park (Virginia)

Drive: 3-6 hours from DC/Ohio/NC

Costs:

• Gas: $60-100 (GasBuddy to find cheap gas)

• Camping: $25/night OR cabins $120-180/night

• Park fee: $30

Total: $500-900 for family of 4

Why: Skyline Drive, waterfalls, 65-75°F weather. Book campsites at Recreation.gov.

Acadia National Park (Maine)

Fly into: Portland ($250-400 per person)

Costs:

• Flights: $1,000-1,600

• Car rental: $200-300

• Camping/hotels: $100-150/night

Total: $1,800-2,700 for family of 4

Why: Ocean views, Cadillac Mountain sunrise, 60-70°F. Check Acadia NPS for reservations.

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Boundary Waters (Minnesota)

Drive: Varies from Midwest

Costs:

• Gas: $100-150

• Canoe rental: $150-250

• Permits: $16 per person

Total: $600-1,000 for family of 4

Why: Wilderness canoeing, no motors, crystal lakes, 65-75°F.

July: Fourth of July Beach

Dates: July 3-6 (4 days) | PTO Used: 2 days

Book by: May 1

Outer Banks (North Carolina)

Drive: 6-10 hours from Ohio/East Coast

Costs:

• Vacation rental: $250-400/night (VRBO or Airbnb)

• Gas: $80-120

• Food: $70-100/day

Total: $1,500-2,400 for family of 4

Why: Wide beaches, lighthouses, wild horses, 80-85°F.

Oregon Coast

Drive: Varies from West Coast

Costs:

• Rental/camping: $150-300/night

• Gas: $100-150

Total: $1,200-2,100 for family of 4

Why: Tide pools, sea stacks, 65-70°F (cooler!), less crowded.

Lake Michigan Dunes

Drive: 3-6 hours from Ohio/Indiana/Illinois

Costs:

• Camping: $30-45/night OR rental $200-350/night

• Gas: $60-100

Total: $500-1,800 for family of 4

Why: Freshwater, no jellyfish, Sleeping Bear Dunes, 75-80°F.

September: Labor Day National Parks

Dates: Sept 4-8 (5 days) | PTO Used: 3 days

Book by: March 31 (books 6 months out!)

Great Smoky Mountains

Drive: 6-12 hours from Ohio/East/Texas OR fly into Knoxville

Costs:

• Gas: $100-150 OR flights $300-450 per person

• Camping: $25-35/night OR cabins $130-200/night

• Park fee: FREE

Total: $1,000-3,500 for family of 4

Why: Free entry, fall colors starting, 70-75°F, waterfalls. Get Junior Ranger badges.

Glacier National Park

Fly into: Kalispell ($350-550 per person)

Costs:

• Flights: $1,400-2,200

• Car rental: $350-500

• Camping/lodges: $25-280/night

Total: $2,500-5,000 for family of 4

Why: Going-to-the-Sun Road, grizzlies, alpine lakes, 60-70°F. Check Glacier NPS for vehicle reservations.

Olympic National Park

Fly into: Seattle ($300-500 per person)

Costs:

• Flights: $1,200-2,000

• Car rental: $300-450

• Camping/lodges: $25-200/night

Total: $2,200-4,000 for family of 4

Why: Rainforest + mountains + ocean beaches, 65-70°F.

October: Two Day Trips

PTO Used: 2 Fridays

Ideas within 2-3 hours:

• State parks (find yours)

• Fall foliage drives

• Apple orchards

• Mountain towns

Cost: $100-250 per trip

Use AllTrails to find hiking near you.

Your Booking Timeline

Jan 8-15: Request all PTO
Feb 1-15: Book spring flights
Feb 15-Mar 1: Book spring lodging
Mar 1-15: Book Memorial Day
Mar 31: Book Labor Day (CRITICAL!)
May 1: Book July 4th rental

The Real Numbers

PTO Days: 15 | Travel Days: 32

Annual Total (Family of 4):

• Budget focused: $5,000-11,000

• Mixed approach: $10,000-17,000

That's $420-930/month (budget) or $850-1,420/month (mixed)

Couples: Cut costs in half

Money-Saving Tips

Camping cuts lodging costs 60-70%

Cook breakfast and lunch, eat dinner out

National parks cost $0-35 vs theme parks at $100+ per person

Drive when possible - saves $1,000-2,000 vs flying

Do This Today

Pick 2-3 trips that excite you. Block the dates. Request PTO this week.

The goal isn't perfection. It's putting travel on your calendar before the year disappears.

Most Americans forfeit 768 million vacation days annually. Don't be most Americans.

Until next Thursday,
Jeff

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Want a printable 2026 travel calendar PDF with exact dates, booking deadlines, and budget tracker? Forward this to one friend planning their year, reply "sent," and I'll send it to both of you.