The road becomes North Pennsylvania Avenue and runs through the downtown area before it reaches an intersection with the western terminus of PA 192 in the northern part of town.

Past this intersection, the route turns west and passes residences, with a southbound runaway truck ramp, before it leaves Centre Hall for Potter Township again.

PA 144 heads into forested areas and ascends Nittany Mountain, curving southwest before turning to the west and crossing into Spring Township.

[3][4] PA 144 enters the Nittany Valley and heads into the community of Pleasant Gap, running past homes and a few commercial establishments and coming to a northbound runaway truck ramp.

Past this junction, the route becomes North Main Street through more developed areas, passing under a Nittany and Bald Eagle Railroad line.

The route curves northwest and continues parallel to the creek and railroad line, passing to the northeast of a factory before heading into the borough of Bellefonte.

The road passes through a gap in forested Bald Eagle Mountain and crosses into Boggs Township, turning to the north again.

Past this, the road becomes a divided highway, soon widening to four lanes as it crosses over a Nittany and Bald Eagle Railroad line and comes to an interchange with US 220 Alternate (US 220 Alt.).

The two routes fully enter Boggs Township and become a two-lane undivided road, heading near homes and businesses and passing to the south of Bald Eagle High School.

The route continues through dense forests and becomes Snow Shoe Mountain Road, heading into rugged terrain and turning west, northeast, and northwest.

The route bends west and passes homes before running near businesses and coming to an intersection with Beechcreek Road, which heads south to an interchange with I-80.

From here, PA 144 passes commercial development before crossing into the borough of Snow Shoe, where it becomes East Sycamore Street and heads through residential areas.

[3][4] PA 144 enters Beech Creek Township in Clinton County and continues through the Sproul State Forest, becoming Breeze Avenue and turning to the east.

The road leaves Sproul State Forest and continues through a mix of woods and homes, curving east and running along the south bank of the West Branch Susquehanna River.

The road continues past a mix of homes and businesses and heads west-northwest onto Champlain Avenue, running along the north bank of the West Branch Susquehanna River.

PA 120/PA 144 becomes Renovo Road and comes to a bridge over Norfolk Southern's Buffalo Line, curving west to run through wooded areas to the north of the railroad tracks and the river.

The route curves back to the northeast and becomes Ole Bull Road, continuing through more of the Susquehannock State Forest parallel to the creek.

The road heads into forested areas and turns to the north, running to the west of South Branch Pine Creek.