We went there last year and we passed via Nueva Ecija. We were a 3 car convoy and I forgot the roads that we passed. I think most buses that have a Benguet route pass via Nueva coz I think that's the only fastest way. We also got lost a lot of times. Good thing we brought a map with us. It was a very long drive and we spent the night in one of the hotels in Benquet. It was a nice 2 day trip since we toured Luzon, so from Manila, we went up to Benquet then to Pagudpud and back to Manila. There were lots of winding roads and I am not sure if it's true but they said don't get caught by darkness around that area coz there are lots of NPA's.