Burnout is no longer a quiet problem simmering beneath the surface of the American workplace—it’s front and center. A new USA TODAY/SurveyMonkey Workforce Survey shows that nearly one-quarter of U.S. workers say they are either struggling or completely burned out in their current jobs.
That exhaustion is pushing many employees to rethink how they use their time off. Among the 3,156 workers surveyed, most said they plan to lean on their paid time off (PTO) this year, especially for vacations and personal resets. In fact, 55% of respondents said they intend to use PTO specifically for travel, while half plan to use it to handle family responsibilities. Nearly half of those who identified as burned out said they rely on PTO to step away for mental health breaks.
Travel Still Matters—even in a Tight Economy
Despite financial pressures, time away remains a priority. According to the survey, more than half of workers (51%) have trimmed spending in other parts of their lives so they can continue traveling. That suggests vacations aren’t seen as luxuries anymore—they’re viewed as essential tools for coping, recharging, and maintaining balance.
Experts say the issue isn’t just how much PTO workers get, but how little of it actually gets used. Melanie Fish, vice president of global public relations at Expedia Group, has pointed out that Americans consistently rank among the worst when it comes to taking time off. While the average U.S. worker receives about 12 paid days off each year, more than half don’t use all of them.
Her advice is simple and practical: plan ahead. Instead of saving PTO for one long, expensive trip, workers can spread it out across several short getaways. Three- or four-day breaks that line up with holidays, school schedules, or office closures can offer real rest without draining your PTO balance. Submitting requests early also improves the chances of locking in popular dates—and actually enjoying the time you’ve earned.
Short trips, like Intrepid’s 4–6 day “Short Breaks,” are one example of how a long weekend can be turned into a meaningful escape rather than just extra time at home catching up on chores.
How to Stretch Your PTO for the Rest of 2026
With a little strategy, you can turn a handful of PTO days into extended breaks throughout the year. Here’s how to maximize long weekends and holidays in 2026:
Presidents Day (Monday, February 16)
Take PTO on Friday, February 13
Enjoy 4 consecutive days off (Feb. 13–16)
Memorial Day (Monday, May 25)
Take PTO on Friday, May 22
Enjoy 4 consecutive days off (May 22–25)
Juneteenth (Friday, June 19)
Take PTO on Monday, June 22
Enjoy 4 consecutive days off (June 19–22)
Independence Day (Observed Friday, July 3)
Take PTO on Monday, July 6
Enjoy 4 consecutive days off (July 3–6)
Labor Day (Monday, September 7)
Take PTO on Friday, September 4
Enjoy 4 consecutive days off (Sept. 4–7)
Columbus Day (Monday, October 12)
Take PTO on Friday, October 9
Enjoy 4 consecutive days off (Oct. 9–12)
Veterans Day (Wednesday, November 11)
Take PTO on Monday and Tuesday (Nov. 9–10) or Thursday and Friday (Nov. 12–13)
Enjoy 5 consecutive days off (Nov. 7–11 or Nov. 11–15)
Thanksgiving Day (Thursday, November 26)
Take PTO on Monday–Wednesday (Nov. 23–25) and Friday, Nov. 27
Enjoy 9 consecutive days off (Nov. 21–29)
Christmas Day (Friday, December 25)
Take PTO on Monday–Thursday (Dec. 21–24)
Enjoy 9 consecutive days off (Dec. 19–27)
Taking Time Off Is Not a Luxury—It’s a Necessity
As burnout continues to rise, PTO is becoming less about indulgence and more about survival. Whether it’s a short trip, a mental health day, or simply uninterrupted rest, using your time off wisely can help you reset, refocus, and reclaim control over your schedule. The time is already yours—the key is actually taking it.
