As of November 24, 2008, a 3.6-mile (5.8 km) portion of PA 26 is concurrent with the northernmost stretch of Interstate 99 (I-99) north of State College between Pleasant Gap and south of I-80.

From the state line, the route heads north on two-lane undivided South Clear Ridge Road through forested areas with some farm fields.

[2][3] PA 26 enters Mann Township in Bedford County as Clear Ridge Road, heading northwest through woodland with some fields.

[2][4] The route curves northwest and crosses the Raystown Branch Juniata River into the borough of Everett, where it becomes South Hopewell Street.

PA 26 runs through commercial areas and comes to an intersection with US 30 Bus., where it turns west to form a concurrency with that route on East Main Street.

Here, the route turns north to remain along Raystown Road and crosses into Hopewell Township, passing a mix of homes and businesses in a narrow valley between Tussey Mountain to the west and Warrior Ridge to the east.

The route passes through the community of Eichelbergertown and turns east, winding through wooded areas with some fields and homes a short distance to the north of Yellow Creek.

PA 26 passes through farmland before it makes a turn to the north and runs through wooded areas further west of the Raystown Branch Juniata River.

The road curves north and passes through a mix of farmland and woodland with some homes in the Woodcock Valley, which is situated between Tussey Mountain to the west and Piney Ridge to the east.

The route heads into business areas and gains a center left-turn lane briefly before becoming a divided highway for a short distance.

Following this interchange, the route becomes Pennsylvania Avenue and curves to the east-southeast, passing between State Correctional Institution – Huntingdon to the north and residential areas to the south.

[2][5] At the summit of Tussey Mountain, PA 26 comes to a truck brake check station in both directions and a scenic overlook on the southbound side, entering Ferguson Township in Centre County.

The road begins to descend the mountain, coming to a northbound runaway truck ramp before it leaves Rothrock State Forest and makes a hairpin turn to the southwest.

The route turns north and reaches the base of the mountain, where it enters the Nittany Valley and heads into the residential community of Pine Grove Mills as South Water Street.

PA 26 becomes West College Avenue and curves north and then northwest, heading through farmland with some residences and commercial establishments and gaining a center left-turn lane.

The route heads into the downtown area of State College, which contains businesses and high-rise buildings consisting of mixed residential and commercial uses.

PA 26 heads through more of downtown State College, with the university campus to the northwest, before the one-way pair ends at the High Street intersection.

Farther northeast, the route heads into business areas and becomes parallel with a Nittany and Bald Eagle Railroad line to the southeast of the road.

The route narrows to two lanes as it heads into a mix of farmland and woodland and enters Benner Township, where it passes southeast of State Correctional Institution – Rockview.

PA 26 crosses the Nittany and Bald Eagle Railroad line and continues northeast through rural areas with some development as West College Avenue, gaining a center left-turn lane.

The road leaves Pleasant Gap and runs through a mix of farmland and commercial development, crossing a Nittany and Bald Eagle Railroad spur.

The route heads northwest through agricultural areas and passes over a Nittany and Bald Eagle Railroad spur before it comes to a directional T interchange with I-99/US 220.

The route continues northeast through rural land before it turns northwest onto Walnut Street, where it heads into forested areas and winds to the north as it passes through a gap in Bald Eagle Mountain, crossing into Howard Township.

The road curves northwest and enters the borough of Howard, where it passes through residential areas and comes to a bridge over a Nittany and Bald Eagle Railroad line.