The A120 towards Colchester from Tendring has closed for a period this evening while emergency services dealt with a car fire.
Highways England reported the route was closed between the A133 junction and the A12 at the Ardleigh Crown Interchange.
Although the vehicle blaze was quickly extinguished, there was damage to the carriageway and a “substantial fuel spillage”, the agency reported.
Traffic was being diverted via local routes.
Highways England said: “Please allow extra time for your journey should you be travelling in the area.”
One driver on Twitter reported that traffic was queuing back to past where the A133 joins the A120 at Great Bromley.
Essex Police is advised motorists to avoid the area until the incident is resolved.
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