Nelson Bay Road remains closed between Gan Gan Road (west) and Gan Gan Road (east) following a multi-vehicle crash earlier this morning.
A garbage and dual-cab ute collided on the road in Anna Bay.
Six people are understood to have been transported to hospital.
Further information has been sought from NSW Ambulance.
Traffic in both directions is being diverted onto Gan Gan Road.
Meanwhile, Heavy traffic is expected at some of the Hunter's regular congestion points as holidaymakers head north today.
The Transport Management Centre said in a midday alert that northbound traffic was heavy on the M1 Motorway from Wahroonga to Calga, which would be expected to cause problems in the Hunter later today.
Traffic is expected to be heavy through Tarro on the New England Highway and through Heatherbrae on the Pacific Highway.
Live traffic cameras in the area show traffic is flowing freely as of 12.30pm.
Northbound traffic was also heavy through Wyee in southern Lake Macquarie this morning due to a crash.
"Motorists heading away for the Easter break are advised to plan ahead and allow plenty of extra travel time, with heavy holiday traffic on major roads out of Sydney and in some regional areas," the centre's alert said.
