It the head gasket unfortunately, finally had a positive test. Thank you everyone for the advice!

Thank you everyone for the advice! I have several good starting points now before the dreaded head gasket repair if that’s what we need. After I posted this I realized that there is a white chalky residue all over the engine, that was actually dried coolant. I just didn’t question it before with the snow and salt on the roads. So it definitely is going somewhere externally, just need to find where it’s coming out of.

Couldn’t leave the house today but planning on getting more coolant & test strips before taking it into the mechanic tomorrow. Then a new radiator cap for the hell of it as it’s probably never been changed so might as well try the easiest thing first. Really hoping it’s an easy fix but prepared for the worst lol.