<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001642771-17-000002.txt : 20171220
<SEC-HEADER>0001642771-17-000002.hdr.sgml : 20171220
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20171220193900
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001642771-17-000002
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20171220
FILED AS OF DATE:		20171220
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20171220

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			Strain Christopher Alan
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001642771

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-15087
		FILM NUMBER:		171267810

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		901 NORTH KANSAS AVENUE
		CITY:			NORTH LIBERTY
		STATE:			IA
		ZIP:			52317

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_151381672619092.xml
<DESCRIPTION>FORM 4
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0306</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2017-12-20</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

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

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001642771</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Strain Christopher Alan</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>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>Vice Pres/CFO/Secretary</officerTitle>
            <otherText></otherText>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2017-12-20</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>5000</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>14625</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable></derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">The reporting person received 5,000 shares of Heartland Express, Inc. common stock as a grant of a restricted stock award plan. These shares represent a restricted stock award under the 2011 Restricted Stock Plan, as such plan may be amended from time to time. The award is subject to certain vesting and forfeiture provisions. The reporting person has voting power but does not have dispositive power until vesting requirements are satisfied.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <remarks></remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Christopher A. Strain</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2017-12-20</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
