PA 144 begins at an interchange with US 322 and the southern terminus of PA 144 Truck in the community of Potters Mills in Potter Township, Centre County, heading north on two-lane undivided Old Fort Road. The road passes residences in the community before curving northwest and heading through farmland with some woods and homes in the Penns Valley. The route passes through the community of Centre Hill before it comes to a junction with PA 45 in the community of Old Fort. PA 144 becomes South Pennsylvania Avenue and enters the borough of Centre Hall, where it is lined with homes and a few businesses. 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. The road gains a center left-turn lane passes some homes and businesses before it becomes a three-lane road with one northbound lane and two southbound lanes and turns north into forests, descending the mountain. The route curves northwest and becomes South Main Street, passing through Pleasant Gap.