Potholes aggravate drivers, interfere with traffic flow, damage vehicles, cause collisions, and are a hazard to cyclists and pedestrians. They generate more complaints than other roadway problems and get a lot of media attention. Repairing potholes is a major activity for local, state and federal lands road maintenance crews throughout the year but primarily during the winter and early spring due to the prevalence of freeze-thaw cycles. Though materials, methods, and machinery for pothole repairs has not changed much in the last 20 years, there is a growing need for better training of the road crews, supervisors, and managers in understanding the causes of pothole formation, the proper repair type and techniques, and the identification of other pavement distresses that will eventually become potholes. More importantly, understanding how to prevent potholes by proper selection and application of various surface treatments, correction of underlying deficiencies and improving roadside drainage is vital to extending the service life of aging and obsolete roadways. This presentation outlines asphalt pavement construction, explains pothole formation, describes other pavement distresses that are precursors to potholes, compares the typical pothole repair materials and methods, examines pavement preservation methods, and explains ways to establish a proactive, systematic reporting and tracking of pothole complaints and repairs. The information to be presented is based on the upcoming APWA Pothole Prevention and Patching Practices Guidebook developed by the speakers.