Around 1 million bees have been killed after a truck carrying their hives crashed in Northern California.

Authorities say the big rig swerved off Interstate 80 on Thursday night in Auburn, north of Sacramento, as the driver tried to avoid hitting slowed cars.

The truck crashed into an embankment. The driver escaped with minor injuries.

Authorities were forced to kill the bees by spraying them with soapy water after beekeepers determined that the hives could not be salvaged and rain was expected.

Beekeeper Nathan Smith said the bees were being transported from Montana to California's Central Valley to pollinate almond trees and were valued at $US1 million or more.

The truck driver crashed with a load full of bee hives. (AP: Auburn Police Department)

AP