Springvale Rd was subsequently closed for eight hours as a precaution against any spilled fuel being ignited.
The Dunedin driver was uninjured, apart from some cuts and bruises.
Leakage from the crashed vehicle was "minimal", Alexandra Deputy Chief Fire Officer Mark Hutton said.
The Hooker Pacific tanker was making fuel deliveries for CRT and the accident occurred about 6km from Alexandra, near the intersection with State Highway 85.
Remaining fuel from the vehicle was pumped into an empty tanker.
While that was being carried out, about 1km of the road was kept closed as a precaution.
It was reopened last night.
Sergeant Ian Kerrisk, of Alexandra, said heavy-lifting machinery would be available today to salvage the tanker. "As far as leakage from the vehicle is concerned, this was probably the best-case scenario."
Mr Hutton said compressed air foam was used to cover the ground near the site to lessen the risk of fuel igniting.
A bund was also constructed to contain any possible leaks.
Sixteen firefighters from the Alexandra Fire Brigade and Central Otago District Council rural fire crew attended.
Sgt Kerrisk said the accident's cause was under investigation and the commercial vehicle investigation unit staff would inspect the vehicle.
Alcohol was not a factor, he said.
