-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 PReM+aVBpjKTyYJTeSe9iFxn1gsYt5OMUo4FtWnKOuC4M/QQFyy5Az6eihgH46A8
 peUpEQnGt7NkzutVOe1rng==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000799233-04-000013.txt : 20040309
<SEC-HEADER>0000799233-04-000013.hdr.sgml : 20040309
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20040309125053
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000799233-04-000013
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20040307
FILED AS OF DATE:		20040309

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			MEEHAN RICHARD L
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001212396

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-15087
		FILM NUMBER:		04656664

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		HEARTLAND EXPRESS
		STREET 2:		2777 HEARTLAND DRIVE
		CITY:			CORALVILLE
		STATE:			IA
		ZIP:			52241

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			HEARTLAND EXPRESS INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000799233
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	TRUCKING (NO LOCAL) [4213]
		IRS NUMBER:				930926999
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			NV
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		2777 HEARTLAND DR
		CITY:			CORALVILLE
		STATE:			IA
		ZIP:			52241
		BUSINESS PHONE:		3195452728

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		2777 HEARTLAND DRIVE
		CITY:			CORALVILLE
		STATE:			IA
		ZIP:			52241
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>form4rich030904_ex.xml
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2004-03-07</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000799233</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>HEARTLAND EXPRESS INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>HTLD</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001212396</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>MEEHAN RICHARD L</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>HEARTLAND EXPRESS</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>2777 HEARTLAND DRIVE</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>CORALVILLE</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>IA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>52241</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>COMMON STOCK</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2004-03-07</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <deemedExecutionDate>
                <value>2004-03-07</value>
            </deemedExecutionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>J</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>8000</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>22.64</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>23888</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>COMMON STOCK</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>12000</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>COMMON STOCK</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>17759</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F3"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>OWNED BY SPOUSE</value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">ITEM 3.  Transaction code J represents 8,000 shares vested on March 7, 2004 in accordance with a restricted stock award plan.  These shares were previously disclosed.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">ITEM 5.  Amount of Securities Beneficially Owned Following Reported Transactions.
The 12,000 shares of Heartland Express, Inc. Common stock were received as a grant of a restricted stock award.  The shares are subject to vesting, forfeiture, and transfer restrictions over a three-year period beginning March 7, 2004.  Mr. Meehan has voting power but does not have dispositive power until vesting requirements are satisfied.  Vesting, forfeiture, and transfer restrictions will lapse as follows: 4,000 shares on March 7, 2005, 4,000 shares on March 7, 2006 and
4,000 shares on March 7, 2007.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">ITEM 6.  Ownership Form
The 17,159 shares owned indirectly are owned by Mr. Meehan's wife.  Beneficial ownership of these shares is disclaimed.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>RICHARD L MEEHAN</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-03-09</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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