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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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 w3ukDm+tsHLGPRpZm7FzDw==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000799233-05-000043.txt : 20050914
<SEC-HEADER>0000799233-05-000043.hdr.sgml : 20050914
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20050914171050
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000799233-05-000043
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20050914
FILED AS OF DATE:		20050914
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20050914

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

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:		051085005

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		HEARTLAND EXPRESS
		STREET 2:		2777 HEARTLAND DRIVE
		CITY:			CORALVILLE
		STATE:			IA
		ZIP:			52241
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>form4rich91405_ex.xml
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2005-09-14</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></rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity></rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState></rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode></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>2005-09-14</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <deemedExecutionDate>
                <value>2005-09-14</value>
            </deemedExecutionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>S</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>8000</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>19.26</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>29593</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>COMMON STOCK</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>25069</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>BY SPOUSE</value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>COMMON STOCK</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>12000</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">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 two year period beginning March 7, 2005. 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: 6,000 shares on March 7, 2006 and 6,000 shares on March 7, 2007.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>RICHARD L MEEHAN</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2005-09-14</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
-----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
