The M6 has been closed in both directions between J14 in Stafford and J15 in Stoke as firefighters battle a blaze which engulfed a lorry.
Traffic was stopped at around 9.50am after a vehicle caught alight while travelling along the motorway.
Personnel from Staffordshire Fire & Rescue Service rushed to the scene as a standstill queue of motorists began building up in both directions.
National Highways initially warned the incident would lead to 30 minute delays.
WATCH NOW: GB News discuss smart motorways
However, the executive non-departmental body later extended its delay-time advice to an hour.
Travel was released on the southbound carriageway at around 10.50am.
The lorry fire has led to congestion building up on the northbound entry slip road at J14 and southbound exit slip road at J15.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
A map of the impacted parts of the M6
NATIONAL HIGHWAYS
There has also been a build up of traffic along the A500 southbound between J15 and A34 approaching Newcastle-under-Lyme.
Traffic speed northbound on the impacted stretch of the M6 reached 10 to 20 miles per hour at 11.15am.
Lanes three and four were re-opened on the M6 northbound between J14 and J15 at 11.20am.
However, lanes one and two remain closed for recovery.
An image of the vehicle ablaze on the M6
A clean-up operation is expected to take place shortly.
Delay times vary depending on whether motorists are travelling northbound or southbound.
Drivers heading towards Stoke-on-Trent still face 60 minute delays.
Impacted road-users travelling southbound were told to expect 30 minute delays shortly after 11.20am.
