Drivers were warned of two-hour delays on the M6 earlier due to overnight roadworks overrunning.
Three lanes on the southbound M6 in Cheshire between Junction 21A and Junction 21 in Warrington were closed during rush hour.
The roadworks, which were due to end at 06:00 overran, National Highways said.
It said all lanes had now been reopened and delays were estimated to be about 50 minutes with six miles of congestion.