Large temperature fluctuations throughout the Maritimes are causing trouble for drivers as damage to the roads increases and potholes become common.

Paul Johnston, Public Works Manager for the City of Charlottetown, said the freeze-thaw cycle caused by this year's fluctuating temperatures has been especially tough on the roads.

"It's the drastic changes, like we're seeing now, just creates that little bit of water," said Johnston. "It doesn't take much water in a small crack filled up that when it freezes at night and expands it pushes somewheres. It'll begin to break up a sidewalk or street surface."

Johnston said there's nothing the city can do to avoid the extra damage to the roads caused by the sudden temperature change.

According to the Nova Scotia Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal website, potholes are formed differently, depending on the type of road.

"On gravel roads, as the finer material in the gravel is washed away, only the larger stones remain," the site states. "As there is no fine material to keep those stones in place, they are knocked out by traffic and a pothole forms."

The transportation website states that the surface of paved roads wear over time.

"Combined with the freeze and thaw cycle during the winter, the material is broken free of the asphalt mat and a pothole begins to form," the site states.

"Potholes can also form as an asphalt surface ages and cracks, allowing water to go down into the cracks and freeze and expand, breaking apart the asphalt."

In New Brunswick in 2010, 161 drivers filed small claims with the Department of Transportation after claiming potholes damaged their vehicles.

Jean-Francois Pelletier, a New Brunswick Department of Transportation spokesman, told CBC News in 2011 that repairs to cars with pothole damage can range between $300 and $1,500.