The M6 motorway was shut in the West Midlands on Saturday after a van fire and “significant diesel spillage” caused significant delays, National Highways said.
All lanes were closed for more than two hours on the southbound side of the carriageway between junction six for Gravelly Hill Interchange, known as Spaghetti Junction, and junction five near Castle Bromwich from around 16:00 GMT.
Emergency services attended the scene with contractors to assess the road surface and recover the vehicle before two lanes were reopened at about 18:30.
Motorists were advised to follow diversion routes via the A45127 southbound and A47 eastbound to join the motorway after junction five.
The route fully reopened to traffic at about 19:30.