The lorry spilled its contents across the carriageway near Astley causing the busy through-route to be closed westbound during the morning rush-hour period.
Police launched a clean-up operation and reopened the road by 8.20am.
Commuters travelling in the direction of Liverpool and St Helens may still face long delays.
The accident happened around 5am on Thursday. Fire crews from Hindley and Leigh were called but were not required to take any action as the driver was not trapped in the vehicle.