The A38 is closed one way between the B600 near Alfreton and the M1 at junction 28 after a bin lorry fire.
The northbound carriageway between A61 Derby Road/ B6179 Derby Road (Watchorn Island) and M1 J28 (Alfreton/ Mansfield) will remain closed for emergency resurfacing, recovery and structural assessment until midnight at the earliest, Derby Roads Police tweeted.
The southbound carriageway of the A38 between junction 28 of the M1 and Alfreton is now open.
Schools are being advised parents may be late to collect their children.