How to Travel with Limited Time Off

When I developed this blog, one of my goals was to provide realistic travel ideas. Working a full time job is no joke. A commitment of 40 hours per week is major, but it doesn’t mean there aren’t opportunities to explore. When you have limited PTO (paid time off) it might feel like travel is out of reach, so here are a few realistic ideas that can work with any busy schedule.

*Note: I reference PTO but this could apply to anything- school, childcare, other commitments- whatever limits your ability to have a length of time available for travel.*

This past year (my first year working full time) I travelled more than I ever had before. Now I’m not saying I ticked major places off my bucket list- but I explored my area, took a few big weekend trips, and made the most of the time I did have. 

Money had always been my previous limitation- it’s true what they say: 

I finally have a consistent paycheck, so my new hurdle is time. Anyone who has worked a full time job, understands that PTO accrues at a snail’s pace. 

Just because it’s difficult to accrue PTO doesn’t mean you should put your travel dreams on hold. I’ve put together a few tips to help you maximize your PTO, and still have awesome experiences. 

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1 A Local Day Trip or Staycation

Requires- No PTO

I’m a big advocate of taking advantage of local experiences. I find we brush off exploring our own area and believe travel can only be found at the end of a flight. 

1.1 Day Trip

Planning a day trip is easier than you think. Is there a restaurant or activity you’ve been meaning to try? Add it to the list! If you need ideas search popular things in your area on google or Pinterest.. or check out pages like this by local bloggers! (I promise there’s someone in your area who has already done the dirty work!)

I LOVE active activities. I’m a big advocate for state parks- they’re beautiful, usually within a short drive, and have plenty of trails and/or beaches. In my opinion a day outside is best followed up with a cool new brewery or restaurant. Ta-da! The perfect recipe for a day trip!

If hiking isn’t your thing, look into local museums, events, or activities. Pair it with a stop at a unique coffee shop, ice cream place, or for a beverage of your choice (or all three!).

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Awesome spots for an outdoor day trip around Fargo-Moorhead are Maplewood State Park (MN), Fort Ransom State Park (ND) or Sheyenne National Grassland (ND). 

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1.2 Staycation

Have you really taken time to be a tourist in your own town? I challenge you to book a night or two at a boutique hotel, bed and breakfast, or an AirBnb. Is there a place you drive by that you have always wanted to stay? Pull the trigger. 

1.3 A Trip to a Neighboring City

How far are you willing to drive? Minneapolis is 4 hours from Fargo-Moorhead and vice versa. Few people have spent quality time exploring both cities. Another great weekend destination for FM people is Winnipeg. Leave Friday night after work and make the drive, this will give you an ENTIRE day on Saturday for exploring, time to grab breakfast on Sunday and head home. 

Use my day trip planning tips to find activities and places to eat. If you’re looking for blogger suggestions in a certain area reach out and ask me- I have made so many great connections with people in surrounding areas and would love to provide a recommendation. 

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This year we had the perfect getaway to a quaint AirBnb in Brook Park, Minnesota, just 3.5 hours from Fargo-Moorhead. 

For more info on the AirBnb we stayed at check out my post: 10 Reasons to Stay at the Stylle Hytte. 

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2 A Weekend Getaway 

Requires- 0 to 1 Day Off

You don’t want to burn up your PTO as soon as you accrue it, but you might be able to spare one day here and there. 

*One of my favorite tips for planning a weekend getaway is visiting a friend or family member. The best tour guides are the locals- and I’ve never met someone that doesn’t want to show off their area/city!* 

2.1 Take a Longer Drive 

What distance are you willing to cap out on for a weekend trip? If you’re not planning on taking any days off, I would suggest capping out at 6 hours. If you have any extra day, you may be comfortable with up to 10. (Depends how much time you want to be in the car!) 

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A few awesome long-weekend road trips we have taken are to the Black Hills, North Shore Lake Superior, and Voyageurs National Park.

Check out my posts: 36 Hours in the Black Hills and A Guide to Voyageurs National Park!

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2.2 Find Direct Flights

Direct flights aren’t hard to come by, but you might be at the mercy of where your local airport flies to on the weekend.  Often small airports have direct flights to large hubs like Denver, Vegas, Nashville or Phoenix. There are obviously more options if you choose a flight with layovers, but for me this can be a little risky (one delayed flights means you could be stuck somewhere overnight). 

I try to find a flight that leaves in the evening of my last day of work. This is a great way to maximize days at your destination and save on PTO days or hours. 

Another plus of choosing a direct flight is that they’re often cheaper!

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We had an awesome weekend getaway to Estes Park, Colorado that required only one day off of work! 

If you’re interested in more details, check out my blog posts: Hiking in Rocky Mountain National Park, What to Pack for your Trip to RMNP, and Things to do in Estes Park. 

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3 A Four-Day Trip 

Requires- 2-2.5 Days Off

3.1 Long Drives 

A “long” drive has a different definition for everyone. Given four days, I would cap out the trip at about 12 hours. Starting in Fargo-Moorhead, you could get as far as Montana, Wyoming, Wisconsin, and Michigan. There are plenty of great places to visit if you’re willing to spend some time in the car. 

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Given that much time in the car, you’re going to want to listen something. Check out my blog post: The Best Road Trip Podcasts!

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3.2 Efficient Flights

You don’t necessarily need a direct flight to make a four-day trip possible, but you’re going to want to fly as efficiently as possible. I would suggest avoiding long layovers, or turning one travel day into two. You want to spend more time at your destination than you spend traveling to it. 

This is often easier if you stay within the US, but making a quick trip to Mexico or Europe isn’t unheard of! *I know MSP has several flights direct to Mexico especially during the winter. A few days in the heat is better than no days in the heat, right?*

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In June of 2021 we did a 4-day trip to Asheville, North Carolina that required 2.5 days off of work. 

For more details, check out my post: 20 Things to Do in Asheville, and my North Carolina tab!

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You know where you’re going! Now what? 

Where To Stay

Now that you know where you’re headed and what your dates are, it’s time to find a place to stay! 

AirBnb or Vrbo are great options if you’re looking for a unique place. When looking for discount hotels I usually check Kayak or Expedia first. 

What To Do

With a weekend trip you often have to prioritize what you REALLY want to do. Odds are if you’re going somewhere you already have an idea of what you want to do- like hike, see monuments, or eat and drink. If you need additional ideas, there are blog posts about “the best things to do” in most areas. Find a blogger that has a similar vibe to you, who knows, they might have an itinerary for you to go off of! 

Make an Itinerary

Traveling with such a short amount of time means you’re going to want to be efficient. Spend time batching activities or places close together-I usually stick to two activities a day. 

Once you have prioritized your activities, plan your meals. Decide which meals you’re going to eat out for, and plan how you’re going to get food or ingredients for the others.

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I hope you found these tips helpful! If so- please consider sharing with a friend, or following me on Instagram @kattellsall

What other posts would you like to see? Comment below!