Long Island potholes: How to get them patched by town
Potholes on Middle Country Road in Selden. Elected officials gathered on Friday urging the state to address conditions on the roadway. Credit: Rick Kopstein
The only thing worse than hitting a pothole is finding a way to get it repaired.
First, you must ask yourself, is this a town road? A county road? A state highway? This determines who is responsible for the repair and to whom the complaint needs to be directed. Then a series of clicks through your town's website will lead you to a general submission form, a phone number for the highway department, or an email address. After some research, it seems that only two towns, Huntington and Southold, have systems dedicated to reporting potholes efficiently, even allowing for a photo to be uploaded.
On state-owned roads, you can dial 1-800-POTHOLE (1-800-768-4653). This line is available 24/7. We called a few times, and at first were greeted by a live person who was ready to route our call to the corresponding state Department of Transportation region that would handle the repair. The recorded message asks that you leave your name, phone number and time and date of your call, along with a description of the pothole's location with as much detail as possible (name a roadway, traveling direction of roadway, nearest landmark or exit number, and more). But if the location you report isn't a state road, like the Southern or Northern State parkways, Sunrise Highway or Route 25A, then you are likely to be referred to the town that is responsible.
How to report potholes by town:
- Town of Hempstead: Report directly to the Highway Department at 516-489-5000, ext. 3471 or via the Helpline form here with the ability to attach a photo.
- Town of North Hempstead: Potholes and roadway damage may be reported to 311 or 516-869-6311 for inspection and repair.
- Town of Oyster Bay: Call 516-677-5757 between the hours of 7 a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday through Friday, or email highwayoperations@oysterbay-ny.gov.
- Town of Babylon: Potholes on town roads can be reported by calling 311 or by filling out the Report a Concern form here, where you can attach a photo.
- Town of Brookhaven: Fill out this general form with ability to attach photo.
- Town of East Hampton: Call highway maintenance at 631-324-0925.
- Town of Huntington: Request service by giving the location, details, a photo if available, and contact info here.
- Town of Islip: Call 631-224-5610 to report a pothole.
- Town of Riverhead: Contact the town Highway Department at 631-727-3200.
- Town of Shelter Island: Call 631-749-1090 or submit a message to the Highway Department through this general form.
- Town of Smithtown: Contact the town Highway Department at 631-360-7500 or email highway@tosgov.com.
- Town of Southampton: Submit a general form report here
- Town of Southhold: Submit via contact form with ability to attach a photo here.
Recently, videos of potholes across Long Island have been going viral. On Sagtikos Parkway, damaged the tires of several cars and left a trail of victims on the side of the road which prompted an immediate crew to come out for repair. The videos are reminders of a persistent issue.
Some GPS apps allow riders to report road hazards, but if there was one system that you could report them all to, we could also use it to warn drivers and help avoid costly tire and axel repairs as well.
In 2026, reporting a pothole shouldn’t require detective work. It should be as simple as opening your phone, dropping a pin, and hitting send.
