Planning this next month (Isuzu D-Max 2WD) and was wondering if anybody has recent experience with that road.

Yes, I used it part of it last week.

The Xayabouli to Luang Prabang portion is no problem whatsoever for pick-up trucks.

It did however prove difficult for this Thai lorry.

I went across this road in late September. Experienced some rain en-route.

Road from the border to Hongsa, 38km or so is one of the best in Laos. Thai built and essentially to service the Hongsa power station. From then on it becomes a narrow nightmare. There are two options heading from Hongsa to LP. The longer road via Sayaburi is definitely better even though it's longer. As mentioned, while it's very narrow, traffic is light all the way until you nearly reach Sayaburi but be very careful whenever a vehicle larger than a motorcycle passes you in the opposite direction. Almost always you will have to move off the road onto the shoulder. Be prepared for that.

Overall travel time to LP should be about 5 hours or so from the border, or 4.5 hours from Hongsa. Most of that is spent negotiating the Hongsa-Sayaburi stretch.

Thank you very much Guys, that is the information I needed. Should be no problem in the middle of the dry season then except for adverse traffic and ...dust!

Best wishes to all.

Cheers