Leicester Crown court heard Ian Walters, 51, from Swindon, drove purposefully off the M1 after a 'make or break' holiday with his wife Tracy to Yorkshire in March last year.
The driving instructor's wife had sent text messages during the return journey saying her husband was "volatile".
Tracy Walters died in hospital following the crash.
Walters must serve a minimum of 16 years before he can be considered for parole.
During their holiday to the Yorkshire Dales, the court was told Mrs Walters made an 'unconnected' 999 call to police from their cottage.
The trial also heard that Mr Walters had been questioned over accusations of domestic abuse a week before the murder.
Sentencing him, Judge Nicholas Dean QC, said: "Tracy was a warm and generous woman who, despite your treatment of her, loved you.
"It was you and your unreasonable insatiable sexual demands that led to your toxic marriage.
"When you deliberately drove off the motorway your intention was to kill Tracy. You knew you had lost your control over her and it was your way of demonstrating it was you who was in control.
"You have demonstrated no remorse or regret. Indeed you seem to altogether lack compassion or empathy."
