Drivers faced one-hour delays and eight-mile queues on the M62 following a crash during the morning rush hour.
The collision happened on the eastbound carriageway between Junction 11 at Birchwood, near Warrington, and Junction 12 at the Eccles Interchange in Salford at about 06:35 BST.
Greater Manchester Police said it appeared to involve several vehicles, but there had been no serious injuries or arrests – the road has since reopened.
National Highways said one of the motorway’s four lanes was closed for vehicle recovery at the time.