Passport Delivery Time
 

With the possibility of a european trip in May I hied to the local post office to put in an application. I had heard there was a backlog of orders, could take months, etc. You can pay $60 extra for expedited service. I elected to take my chances with the standard fee, would have been torqued to pay the extra and still miss the date. The website says to allow 4-6 weeks for the regular, "about three weeks" for the expedited.
They came in nine days (my wife applied also).
Jim

Just had the same experience for my 3 kids' passports, told to expect 60-90 days, took 2.5weeks...standard turn around service through the post office...

I had a sudden business trip to Japan and went with an online service. I had my new passport in 24 hrs for $100 over the usual fees. Of course I was reimbursed by the customer but if I were stressed about making a trip deadline that extra $100 is not bad.

Standard Service

Application mailed Oct 1st ... Passport in hand Oct 24th.

This time of year its not too bad. If you are really worried expedite it.

Second option is to get a second passport and keep one valid at all times. Thats what those of us who travel for a living do.

It took me about 3-4 months to get mine earlier this year, but it might because I gave them the vacation date and the it was in the summer.