NC is the "Good Roads State." Go on any secondary road in NC near VA. You can close your eyes and tell when you cross the state line into VA, as their roads are crap. There are paved roads in VA that are barely wide enough for two small cars to pass. KY is even worse. I went on one road that narrowed to a single lane. If you met someone, you'd have to take turns. The interstates don't count as they are federal.

NC has more miles of paved roads than any other state, except for TX. Countless roads that were dirt in my childhood are now paved and great to drive on.

I've been all over the eastern half of the US, and NC state and county roads are the best on average. Of course, you will find a road here and there that is just before its scheduled resurfacing.

And I've been all over NC too, Manteo to Murphy.