<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000799233-12-000058.txt : 20120816
<SEC-HEADER>0000799233-12-000058.hdr.sgml : 20120816
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20120816111302
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000799233-12-000058
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20120813
FILED AS OF DATE:		20120816
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20120816

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			GERDIN MICHAEL J
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001212393

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-15087
		FILM NUMBER:		121039111

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:		901 NORTH KANSAS AVENUE
		CITY:			NORTH LIBERTY
		STATE:			IA
		ZIP:			52317
		BUSINESS PHONE:		3196263600

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		901 NORTH KANSAS AVENUE
		CITY:			NORTH LIBERTY
		STATE:			IA
		ZIP:			52317
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>wf-form4_134512996991967.xml
<DESCRIPTION>FORM 4
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0306</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2012-08-13</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

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

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001212393</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>GERDIN MICHAEL J</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>901 NORTH KANSAS AVENUE</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>NORTH LIBERTY</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>IA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>52317</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>Chief Executive Officer</officerTitle>
            <otherText></otherText>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2012-08-13</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>5</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>G</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value>E</value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>779473</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>26756526</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>Trustee of GRATs</value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>23224</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>Trustee of Trust</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>7015000</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>Beneficiary of Trust</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F3"/>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>2043372</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>Beneficiary of Trust</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F4"/>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>562669</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>Beneficiary of Trust</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F5"/>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable></derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Annuity distribution of 779,473 shares were made from grantor retained annuity trusts created for the benefit of Ann Gerdin.  These shares were distributed to Mrs. Gerdin's revocable trust.  The reporting person serves as trustee over these GRATs and has no pecuniary interest other than an indirect remainder interest, if any.  As trustee, Mr. Gerdin has voting and dispositive powers with respect to the GRATs.  This transaction does not constitute a gift to the reporting person.  Beneficial ownership is disclaimed.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">The reporting person is trustee over shares held by trusts created for the benefit of his children. As trustee, Mr. Gerdin has shared voting and dispositive powers with respect to each trust.  Beneficial ownership is disclaimed.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">The reporting person is one of the beneficiaries of the 2009 Gerdin Heartland Trust. Mr. Gerdin does not have voting and dispositive powers with respect to this trust.  Lawrence D. Crouse serves as trustee.  Beneficial ownership is disclaimed.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F4">The reporting person is one of the beneficiaries of the 2005 Gerdin Children's Trust. Mr. Gerdin does not have voting and dispositive powers with respect to this trust. Lawrence D. Crouse serves as trustee. Beneficial ownership is disclaimed.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F5">The reporting person is one of the beneficiaries of the 2007 Gerdin Heartland Trust.  Mr. Gerdin does not have voting and dispositive powers with respect to this trust.  Lawrence D. Crouse serves as trustee.  Benefiicial ownership is disclaimed.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <remarks></remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/S/Michael J. Gerdin</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2012-08-15</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
