Traffic travelling north on the A1 had to be diverted through Melton yesterday after 1,000 litres of diesel spilled onto the carriageway.
The 35-mile diversion followed an incident at about 11pm on Friday, near Stamford, Lincolnshire.
Specialist cleaners had to be brought in to clean up the spill before the carriageway could be inspected for damage.
A Highways Agency spokesman said the road surface was badly damaged and had to be resurfaced.
The diversion resulted in added congestion in Melton town centre for most of Saturday until the resurfacing work was completed and the A1 reopened at about 8pm.
