Debris strewn across Bruce Highway after crash closes all lanes and causes traffic 'gridlock'

The Bruce Highway has been engulfed by "traffic gridlock" north of Brisbane after a nasty two-car crash led to debris being strewn across both north and southbound lanes.

The drivers of both cars were taken to hospital in critical conditions, according to police, after a car veered onto the opposite side of the road and crashed into oncoming traffic.

The crash happened at Elimbah just after midday and it is understood one of the cars flipped on impact, with police warning traffic was "gridlocked" in both directions.

Australian Traffic Network reporter Olympia Kwitowski said the wreckage was cleared about 2.30pm, but heavy delays remained throughout the area.

Northbound congestion stretched more than eight kilometres along the highway to Caboolture and southbound traffic snaked back more than 15 kilometres to Coochin Creek.

Meanwhile, more than 10 kilometres of southbound congestion greeted drivers trying to sneak down Steve Irwin Way and there were more than five kilometres of delays along Beerburrum Road.

The Forensic Crash Unit is investigating.