My cousin will be flying to Seattle on August 17 to meet up with his girlfriend and is looking for a car trip (or trips) they can take from Seattle over the following five or six days (will be flying back out of Seattle). He knows nothing about the area, and my knowledge is limited, but I figured I could consult Fodors experts and get some guidance. I think they would like to head to BC, but I'm sure whether a car is the best way to do that, or if it affects your options. What are some good driving trips in that area?

My cousin is in his late 50s. They like history and scenery. Probably a mix of urban and rural would be best.

Mt. Rainier should be one of your destinations. It is usually done as a day trip.

Other destinations near Seattle include Olympic National Park, The San Juan Islands, the North Cascade Loop, the Columbia River Gorge, and the Oregon Coast. 



Vancouver BC would be a 2 1/2-hour drive from Seattle were not for delays at the border, which are frequently long an annoying.

Victoria BC can be accessed by clipper from Seattle and by ferry from Port Angeles and other ports.

HTtY

Rather than driving a rental car across the border, take the Amtrak train or bus to Vancouver. Vancouver is a walkable city with a hop on hop off bus to get to Stanley Park.
With a rental car they could visit Mount Rainier NP or Mt. St. Helens.
Another fun day from Seattle would be to drive down I-5 and I-205 to get on I-84 to see Multnomah Falls and several other waterfalls on the Oregon side of the Columbia River Gorge.
Stay in Hood River and then see Mt. Hood the next day before heading back to Seattle.

Thanks

My very favorite drive out of Seattle is heading east, over the North Cascades highway, out to the area of Mazama, Winthrop, Leavenworth... it's stunningly gorgeous scenery over there (about 4 hours from Seattle). Breath-taking. You can camp, or find lodges, hotels, motels.