Firefighters worked for hours to clean up the massive spill, which closed part of an eastbound section of the M8 between junctions two and three.
An accident between a van and the milk lorry caused it to spill its cargo onto the road.
Two men were hurt in the incident, which happened before 3am this morning, though one refused to be taken to hospital.
The other was taken to St John’s Hospital in Livingston, West Lothian, with what are thought to be minor injuries.
Fire crews from three separate stations used “environmental grab bags,” devices which can be put on the ground to absorb liquids, to clear up the mess.
The road was open again by 6.30am after firefighters cleared up the spill to prevent it from going into drains.
The milk spillage, which closed part of the motorway down to one lane, caused significant delays for some drivers.
One frustrated motorist, travelling from Troon to Edinburgh, said: “I could see cars kicking up a white spray.
“It was bumper to bumper for about four miles. I was stuck in first gear for half an hour sort of eeking along.
“I was raging. As someone whose trying to cut back from the smokes the first thing I did was reach for my cigarettes.”
A spokeswoman for Lothian and Borders Fire and Rescue service said: “There was a road accident between a van and a milk lorry.
“Approximately 1,500 litres of milk spilled onto the roadway.”
Crews from Livingston, Bathgate and Sighthill helped to tackle the spill.
A spokeswoman for Lothian and Borders Police confirmed officers attended the scene