This is an extension of one of Dan’s Drives, the Stress Reliever, to make a full day of it. I recommend clicking the link because he gives a much more professional and detailed description of his route. This one incorporates my favorite roads north of Seattle, and I’ve included a couple of my favorite stops.

To start, get yourself to Arlington. I don’t know of a fun way to get there from Seattle so I get on I-5 and  make miles. From Arlington take the Oso Slide Memorial Highway (SR 530), named for a tragic 2014 landslide that swept across the Stillaguamish River and took out an entire subdivision of 49 homes. Despite that somber memorial it is a lovely drive with great views of the river and snowy peaks.

At Darrington you will hit a T-junction, and either stop for whatever essentials you may need, or turn left to continue up the Sauk River to the Concrete – Sauk Valley Road after 5.8 miles. You are now into some truly great driving, and it continues when you turn left before Concrete to join the South Skagit River Highway. North of the river run Highway 20, which is overcrowded in all seasons, while the gorgeous South Skagit Highway is lightly used and a joy to drive. Do stop and enjoy the views of the Skagit River and Mount Baker.

The highway drops you just south of Sedro-Woolley, where you cross the river to join Highway 20. This will take you towards Anacortes, but before you get there turn left towards Deception Pass. This is always worth a stop and a photo opp, if not a hike on one of the many great trails in the State Park. (Discover Pass or day pass required.)

Continuing down Whidbey Island you can either take another walk at Fort Ebey State Park, or turn left for a waterfront snack in historic Coupeville. At the end of the day you get in line for the ferry to Mukilteo, or backtrack if the wait time is too long.