Last Updated on April 2, 2026 by Kristin
Spring brings flowers, showers and…potholes? If you’ve ever wondered why potholes seemingly appear out of nowhere as temperatures rise and snow begins to melt, you’re on to something. Potholes do get worse in the spring, and there’s science behind it. Here’s what you need to know about potholes in spring and how to avoid them.
What Causes Potholes to Form?
Potholes are those pesky cavities that form on the asphalt. While they may look harmless, they can cause hundreds of dollars of damage to a vehicle and cause damage to expensive components like wheel rims, the undercarriage or the car’s suspension.
One of the main factors that cause potholes to occur is a phenomenon called the “freeze-thaw” cycle, which happens when temperatures drop, water freezes, and then thaws out again. Potholes are caused by the expansion and contraction of ground water under pavement. When water freezes, it expands, just as water expands in your freezer ice cube tray. When water gets trapped inside asphalt cracks, it will expand when it freezes, causing structural damage to roads. That’s why it’s so common to see potholes in climates with lower temperatures. Potholes will get bigger with each cycle of warming and cooling temperatures.
Which States Have the Most Potholes?
Potholes are one symptom of deteriorating roads, along with other problems like limited transportation funding. One AAA study found that potholes cost U.S. drivers an estimated $26.5 billion in a single year.
While the threat of potholes is well-known to anyone living in a colder state, they’re a nationwide problem. One study used Google Trends data to find where people were most often using search terms like “pothole repair” or “pothole damage.” The states with the most searches were Washington, Tennessee, Hawaii and Rhode Island.
Another study looked into pothole complaints on social media and found that Rhode Island, Hawaii, New York, Massachusetts and California topped the list.
What Happens if You Hit a Pothole in a Rental Car?
Hitting a pothole is never good, as it can misalign your car, bust tires and even cause damage to the undercarriage. If you’re in a rental car, you could be on the hook for damages.
Whether you have to pay the price for hitting a pothole in a rental car can depend on your insurance policy and the fine print of the rental company’s collision damage waiver (CDW), which may exclude tire damage. Always read the fine print of the rental car company’s damage policies and clarify any doubts before purchasing any products to protect the car.
Of course, avoiding potholes is not always possible. If you do hit one, pull over when you can safely exit traffic and assess any damage. Document by taking photos of the damage, the pothole, and surrounding area. Check for any strange sounds, tire punctures, cracks in the wheel rims and alignment issues. Contact the rental company’s emergency number immediately to report the damage and follow their instructions for towing or repairs. Keep all receipts for repairs or towing if you paid out-of-pocket, you’ll need them for reimbursement.
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