Fodor's Travel Talk Forums - 9 days in North Iceland (July)

Hi Fodor's friends,

My husband and I are planning a July Iceland trip. We generally prefer to take things at a slower pace, so we are planning to focus on the north part of the country as opposed to doing the full ring road. I'm sharing our itinerary for general feedback and also specific questions below.

Day 1: Arrive KEF(AM) - overnight in Reykjavik
Day 2: Drive to Snaefellsnes Peninsula - stay overnight (recommendations on where?)
Day 3: TBD - stay in Snaefellsnes Peninsula another night or continue onward?
Day 4: Drive to Akureyri - stay overnight
Day 5: Drive to Myvatn area - stay overnight
Day 6: Myvatn area & COVID test - stay overnight
Day 7: Drive to Seyðisfjörður - stay overnight
Day 8: Drive to Egilsstaðir to return rental car; fly to Rekyjavik
Day 9: Depart Rekyjavik

Comments

I know the one-way car rental adds expense, but we're OK with that as we'll get to see more of the country.
On day 6, we will have to take a COVID test. I think we can get it in Husavik, but am trying to confirm that—worst case, we'll have to backtrack to Akureyri where I know for sure we can get it.

Questions

In July, what kind of rental car will we need to safely navigate roads?
What are your favorite places to stay overnight in Snaefellsnes Peninsula?
Is it worth spending two nights in Snaefellsnes Peninsula? Or would it be better to break up the drive and spend a night somewhere in between there and Akureyri?
Instead of spending a night in Akureyri, alternatively, should we stay in Siglufjörður or Skagafjordur for a night, and explore Akureyri during the day en route to Myvatn?
Is it worth going to Seyðisfjörður for a night, or should we stay longer in the Akureyri/Myvatn area and fly back from Akureyri?

Thank you for the help!