The roads to the North are very a-OK especially Ilocos Norte. Ilocos Sur isn't as nice but it's still quite good. I've been going to Pagudpud basically every year since 2006 and save for the occasional stretches of paving/repaving work, the roads are a joy to drive on. My only gripe has always been the tricycles on the National Highway (inside towns are understandable) who have become worse as the years have gone by. These remind me of the talangka who impedes the progress of others.