Drivers have been warned to expect delays as part of the M42 in Warwickshire remained closed after a lorry fire.
The motorway was shut southbound between junction 10 for Tamworth and nine for the M6 Toll after the HGV caught fire on the hard shoulder at about 13:30 BST on Wednesday.
National Highways said the removal of the lorry and its load of cardboard was a slow process and was not completed until 05:00 BST on Thursday.
A spokesperson for the organisation said the entire width of the carriageway needed resurfacing before it could be safely reopened.
It was expected to remain closed throughout Thursday morning and into the afternoon, they added.
Drivers were urged to leave extra time for their journeys with delays of up to 40 minutes reported by National Highways at about 08:00 BST.
