8 nights in May- Itinerary

Your first day is good, staying in Reykjavik and getting over jetlag is the smartest plan. There is so much to see right in Reykjavik as well as it isn't like you are settling or anything. After that though, things start to fall apart in your planning a bit. Skip your day 2 plan, and skip the silver circle. Just go up along the coast seeing the great sights such as Raudfeldar Canyon, Ytri Tunga sea beach, Budir, Atnastapi/Hellnar etc. until you get up to Grundarfjordur. Do not take the short cut there, but rather go around the peninsula otherwise you miss a lot.

Then the next day, from Grundarfjordur, take 54 back down to Borgarnes and to Barnafoss/Hraunfossar and then continue south. I would not try to go as far as Vik on this day though. Just head to the Golden Circle and do that and stay in that area, around Laugarvatn/Reykholt. Then the next day you can head up to the Glacier Lagoon and I would spend the night somewhere in the Hofn area. The next day drive back south and either head over to Westmann Islands for the night or stay in Vik for a night first. Westmann Islands though should not be missed, whether or not you stay in Vik.

Then I would head to the Reykjanes Peninsula. There is so much to see and do in this area, even without the volcano. This would still give you an extra night somewhere in the mix. I would probably add that extra night somewhere between Grundarfjordur and Reykjavik. This is where you could see some of the other silver circle sights. One thing is this area that we love is Hvammsvik Hot Springs, if you are looking for a nice place to soak.

Thanks for input, we have many of those places to see on the list. I was really looking to avoid one night stays so potentially more driving versus unpacking/repacking, which is better could be a debate. Could you tell me if I double Google maps driving times would take be more accurate?

You don't need to double those drive times, but do add in about 20% more time. The bigger factor though is the time spent at locations, as well as things you just randomly find along the way. There is so much that you will just stumble upon, and that really adds up each day, but is so worth it.

Thank you, 20% is helpful for planning.
I totally understand wanting to stop and see many things so I am trying to realistic on what we want to see each day and still sleep with the no real night. Reworking things tonight.