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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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 ayeYWIcKB9Hq9zdKWaZGoA==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000799233-06-000013.txt : 20060221
<SEC-HEADER>0000799233-06-000013.hdr.sgml : 20060220
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20060221101026
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000799233-06-000013
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20060217
FILED AS OF DATE:		20060221
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20060221

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:		06631530

	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>form4john021706_ex.xml
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    <periodOfReport>2006-02-17</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

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

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001212397</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>COSAERT JOHN P</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
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            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity></rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState></rptOwnerState>
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            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
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        <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>
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            <transactionDate>
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                <value>2006-02-17</value>
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                <transactionPricePerShare>
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                    <value>D</value>
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                <value>2006-02-17</value>
            </deemedExecutionDate>
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            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
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                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>24.69</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
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                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>24.686</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
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                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
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                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
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        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
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                <value>2006-02-17</value>
            </deemedExecutionDate>
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                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>S</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>1000</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>24.657</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
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                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>44809</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
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                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>COMMON STOCK</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>12000</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <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 12,000 shares of Heartland Express, Inc. Common stock were received as a grant of a restricted stock award.  The 12,000
shares are subject to vesting, forfeiture, and transfer restrictions over a two-year period beginning March 7, 2005.  Mr.
Cosaert has voting power but does not have dispositive power until vesting requirements are satisfied.  Vesting,
fortfeiture, and transfer restrictions will laspe as follows: 6,000 shares on March 7, 2006 and 6,000 shares on March 7,
 2007.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>JOHN P COSAERT</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2006-02-21</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
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</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
-----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
