A Mustang, a Map, and the Road of the Year

Natasha De Melis

7 August 2026

It's the long weekend, and I'm itching for a drive in my 1967 Mustang. That's when the headlights turn on: Hagerty named Pennsylvania's Route 144 the Road of the Year for 2026. So why not go on a cruise and apex everything?

The 125km (78-mile) journey through Pennsylvania's mountains promised the twists, the turns, and everything in between. So my husband and I visited some friends in Bellefonte, PA, just 20 minutes southeast of Snow Shoe, PA - the starting line.

Bright and early Monday morning, we set forth on the journey. No GPS, just a map and some road signs. This gave us the opportunity to truly connect with the road and take in the scenery. Besides, making a wrong turn takes the adventure up a notch. One of these wrong turns led us straight to a lunch spot with the best Italian subs we've ever had.

Reaching the halfway point at Renovo, PA, Raven was thirsty. So we found a local station with ethanol-free gasoline - just the way she likes it. Nothing but the best for the best car ever.

Between the thumbs up and the onlookers, Raven turned heads. Fellow enthusiasts loved hearing her story and were anxious to tell theirs. One gentleman told us about his '66 Mustang, and his friend's '68 Mustang that was king of the drag strip. Another offered to buy Raven, but her "For Sale: Not" air freshener hanging from the rearview mirror said otherwise. A Monte Carlo and its owner wanted to trade places. And Frank, from Galeton, PA, took a work break to admire Raven. He shared that the Rankin Motor Sales building where he worked used to be an old Ford dealership his father owned. He even shared his memory of the first 64.5 Mustang that rolled onto their showroom floor. In a way, that felt serendipitous. All these interactions, each one better than the last.

We even came across a bald eagle and their two juveniles, soaring over the ridgeline. The perfect way to wrap up the trip.

So, was the Road of the Year worth it? Absolutely. Would I drive it again? In a heartbeat.

If you're ever thinking of driving Hagerty's Road of the Year, keep an eye out next year. One could just be around the bend.

Hagerty Agent Insights

Under the Hood with Natasha De Melis

Take a look under the hood to learn about the people behind Hagerty Canada who support our broker partners every day, from coast to coast. Meet Natasha De Melis, Manager of National Events, who shares how events bring the Hagerty brand to life and why great partnerships come down to compromise and shared accountability.

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