Updating Valerie's post with my recent (and very similar) passport renewal experience. Though I had about 10 months left on my passport, I decided to get a new one so I don't need to worry about the 6+ months validity issue while planning my 2024 travels. I was also worried about the State Department's current stated processing deadlines (5-7 weeks expedited, 8-11 weeks standard) and the ongoing threat of government shutdown (sigh).
I mailed my paperwork with expedited fee to the Philadelphia, PA processing address on Oct. 10 via USPS priority mail. It was picked up on Oct. 13 and on Oct. 16 the website showed "in process" status. Around Nov. 1 the status changed to "approved for printing" and on Nov. 2 I got a USPS informed delivery notice about a shipped package from passport services in Tucson, Arizona (not Philly). Today (Nov. 4) I got my passport in the mail - 25 days from mailing, 19 from the "in process" date. I suppose I could have gone the non-expedited route but I was willing to pay for more certainty - I'm pleased with the turnaround regardless. YMMV.
BTW though I signed up for email notices about the status of my processing, I didn't get any at all, so I don't know if that feature actually works as intended. I just checked the passport processing status website every few days - that kept me informed enough.
