MID-MICHIGAN (WJRT) -- (02/14/11)--Most area roads are offering up anything but smooth right now. Potholes are emerging in full force as the snow and ice melts away, exposing crumbling roadway.

One pothole can do hundreds or even thousands of dollars worth of damage. We went on pothole patrol from Saginaw to Flint and the ride sure got bumpy.

"The warmer it gets, the worse it gets" said driver Doug Laine. "They are tough on my car. They wreck my tires and hopefully they'll get fixed."

Laine was really steamed about the potholes on Fenton Road, so we checked it out, driving from Fenton Road to Hill Road. Our car sometimes was bouncing from hitting the pavement craters.

"It feels like the bottom of my car is about to fall in," said Brian Stanley.

The damage from running over just one pothole can leave a big hole in your pocket.

"A series of small potholes can lead to many front-end parts going bad," said Roger Nowaczyk. "It works in a domino effect."

Mechanics see it every year. As the snow thaws, the road crumbles and their businesses get red hot.

"When the thaw and the road gives up that is when we get front-end damage," Nowaczyk said.

Court Street in Saginaw is another hot spot for potholes.

"I have noticed definitely a lot of them out there," said Mike Cofey. "It's an issue that's got to be addressed. People are looking for repairs."

What worries some drivers is that roads won't get patched up because of a bumpy economy, which could leave less money for services.

"I am a cautious, drivers, too," Cofey said. "I am looking out for those this time of year because of the freezing and thawing."

Monday, a transportation advocacy group announced the launch of a Web site that will help alert drivers to the worst potholes across the state. If you'd like to check it out, click here.