Trying one more time

It's a little more driving and short stays than I like to do, but nothing egregious--probably why it skirted by!
Have you checked to see if you can pick up the car in Madrid and drop in Girona? If your outbound flight is not super early, you could even drive to BCN the day of.
You could definitely consolidate Bilbao and SS since you are headed in that direction later, but I do like the idea of breaking up the long drive en route to Bilbao.

I have only been to this area once, but at least this gets the ball rolling--I would add some detail to each stop so people know what you intend to be doing, you'll get more detailed replies that way. Good luck!

Thank you!
We are picking car up in Madrid after staying there two nights (want to see Prado)
Dropping in Girona and then taking train to Barcelona where we fly home, will just train early morning from Girona and then stay one night in Barcelona to grab a great dinner and leave next day.
From Madrid Iqm also thinking of driving to Burgos and seeing Leon. Maybe just then picking a base near SS and just tour the coast area around there? Want to see beautiful landscape, points of interest, great food, hike etc. thinking I can do a one day wine tour to Haro possibly? Maybe skip French basque towns this trip and then head to Zaragoza and then to Girona. Just looking to minimize packing up a ton but want to see some great smaller towns/villages etc. cadaques might be an option too

Alternatively you could train to Bilbao where a car is a liability (likewise San Sebastian). Pick up the car on leaving Bilbao. Then you could hit LaGuardia on the way to Barcelona.... The Basque coast is wonderful ticks off the landscapes, hikes, scenery, food boxes. As long as you're in the "neighborhood" the Pyrenees are spectacular. That might be too much for a Slow travel guy though.
Brad