Firefighters were called to the A168 in the Thornton le Moor area, near Thirsk, shortly after 7am.
Two fire engines attended from Northallerton and managed to extinguish the flames.
Pictures from the scene show the fire tearing through the van with thick smoke overhead.
Motorists reported delays in the area as the road was shut to allow firefighters to work at the scene. It is understood the road has since reopened.
A North Yorkshire Fire Service spokesperson said: “Crews were called at around 7:07am to reports of a van on fire on the A168 near Thorton Le Moor. Two crews from Northallerton attended. Crews used breathing apparatus and hose reel jets to extinguish the fire.
“The crews are now leaving the incident with the police and are leaving the scene.”
