Roads to Ilocos

[docgorio]

How are the roads to the Ilocos Region specifically Ilocos Sur and Ilocos Norte...

I plan to do a road trip on October/November...

[speed unlimited]

Super ganda nanaisin ko pang mag biyahe ng north kesa south . Halos hindi nadumihan sasakyan ko.

[digitalron]

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.

[yebo]

we made a trip to Pagudpud last march and i must say the roads are above average for roads in Luzon, and in some places even very good. the only "unpaved" portions we encountered was some stretches somewhere near Bangui where some repaving was ongoing. but that was last march so i think by this time the road repairs should be finished already.

we left QC at 3:20 am and reached blue lagoon in Pagudpud at 1:10pm. the trip to Pagudpud took a little less than 9 hours, not including stops for breakfast and 1 stop topping up the diesel tank. but i think that was only because i was able to cover the stretch from QC to Candon, Ilocos Sur (where we had breakfast) before the tricycles were out on the roads. had we taken a later time then 12 hours would be par due to the traffic. also i took the right turn after exiting SCTEX at Tarlac and followed the "alternate route to baguio" signs instead of sticking to MacArthur highway and rejoined MacArthur only before Rosales. if you will be making the trip during daytime i suggest you use this route to escape the tricycles and jeepneys who "own" MacArthur highway during daytime until late at night.

tip: fuel costs less there than in the metro so fill up your tank only such that you'll have an almost empty tank when you reach Ilocos Norte.

[docgorio]

Thank you for the inputs guys!!! I haven't gone North since 2002 so I have to take notes...

Are there clear markings on that "alternate route to Baguio"?

Now I wonder why fuel is cheaper there???

[Patti]

You might wanna check this sir Rambling Juan: Alternate Route from Manila to Baguio ..accurate po 'to

[admiral88]

Has anyone used or tested A-GPS supported celfones to navigate thru the portion of "alternate route to baguio"?
Will also travel to the north this coming end of July.

[Syuryuken]

You might wanna check this sir Rambling Juan: Alternate Route from Manila to Baguio ..accurate po 'to

Nakakahilo

[butchik]

Has anyone used or tested A-GPS supported celfones to navigate thru the portion of "alternate route to baguio"?
Will also travel to the north this coming end of July.

I have Garmin installed on my mobile phone and tested it to navigate thru Magilas Trail. Sad news is, kulang kulang po at may mga roads na di nya recognize. I wonder where I can download an updated Map or perhaps modify the old map to include the Magilas Trail so the next time, I don't need to look at the map while driving and setting the odometer. LOL

[docgorio]

Resurrecting this thread...

How are the roads leading to the Ilocos Region??? Which exit will I use leaving the NLEX to head North to Ilocos???

Any shortcuts to use to avoid entering towns in Pangasinan and its traffic???

Any input will be greatly appreciated!!!!

[miked]

Resurrecting this thread...

How are the roads leading to the Ilocos Region??? Which exit will I use leaving the NLEX to head North to Ilocos???

Any shortcuts to use to avoid entering towns in Pangasinan and its traffic???

Any input will be greatly appreciated!!!!

via SCTEX Tarlac City exit (hindi luisita ha). then you may opt to try via victoria or just go through tarlac city proper....magilas trail or urdaneta is fine.....some road constructions at ilocos sur.

[pj3378]

watch out for those irritating potholes on the areas of balaoan, bangar to the stretch of sudipen la union, hope they have even it out this time, ilocos sur's road was good, ilocos nortes roads were even better , specially from laoag to pagudpud,, have a good trip.

[pj3378]

the roads that were being constructed on the municipality of santiago, stamaria, cabugao and sinait in ilocos sur were near completion or rather completed. On the 1st Quarter of 2012, those road works add at least an hour to my travel from candon to laoag weekly,

[docgorio]

Nice inputs!!!! Thank you very much for all your tips! It will be most helpful during the drive North...

We will be using my girlfriend's Focus TDCi so this will be a really interesting run, power and consumption wise...

[Type 100]

Resurrecting this thread...

How are the roads leading to the Ilocos Region??? Which exit will I use leaving the NLEX to head North to Ilocos???

This part I can answer. The NLEX ends at Dau - you can't miss it as it's a whole toll plaza. From there, after paying your toll fees, you can either continue on straight to Mabalacat, take the on-ramp to the SCTEx and turn right at the fork going to Subic, or stick to the left side of the SCTEX fork going to Clark (which is what you probably don't want to do, given your intended destination).

The traditional route is to get off at Mabalacat and turn into the MacArthur Highway to go anywhere farther north.

There are signs pointing out that the SCTEx to Subic is a northward route going to Baguio; you'll have to get off at Luisita and make a detour along the Luisita Access Road going back to MacArthur Highway.