-----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,
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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000799233-04-000044.txt : 20041116
<SEC-HEADER>0000799233-04-000044.hdr.sgml : 20041116
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20041116090515
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000799233-04-000044
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20041112
FILED AS OF DATE:		20041116
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20041116

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			COSAERT JOHN P
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001212397

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-15087
		FILM NUMBER:		041148007

	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>form4john111604_ex.xml
<TEXT>
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        <issuerTradingSymbol>HTLD</issuerTradingSymbol>
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            <rptOwnerStreet2>2777 HEARTLAND DRIVE</rptOwnerStreet2>
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            <rptOwnerState>IA</rptOwnerState>
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            <officerTitle>Executive Vice President</officerTitle>
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    </reportingOwner>

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                <value>2004-11-12</value>
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                    <value>D</value>
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                <value>2004-11-12</value>
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                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
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                <value>2004-11-12</value>
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                <transactionCode>S</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
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                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>22.10</value>
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                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
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                    <value>48109</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
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                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
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        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
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                <value>2004-11-12</value>
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                <value>2004-11-12</value>
            </deemedExecutionDate>
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                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>S</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>1300</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>22.09</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>46809</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
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                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>18000</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
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            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
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        </nonDerivativeHolding>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">ITEM 5. Amount of Securities Beneficially Owned Following Reported Transacations.
The 18,000 shares of Heartland Express, Inc. Common stock were received as a grant of a restricted stock award. The 18,000
shares are subject to vesting, forfeiture, and transfer
restrictions over a three-year period beginning March 7, 2004. Mr. Cosaert has voting power but does not have dispositive
power until vesting requirements are satisfied. Vesting,
forfeiture, and transfer restrictions will laspe as follows: 6,000 shares on March 7, 2005, 6,000 shares on March 7, 2006 and
6,000 shares on March 7, 2007.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>John P. Cosaert</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-11-16</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

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</SEC-DOCUMENT>
-----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
