<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001019687-11-000749.txt : 20110304
<SEC-HEADER>0001019687-11-000749.hdr.sgml : 20110304
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20110304153521
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001019687-11-000749
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20110302
FILED AS OF DATE:		20110304
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20110304

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			CONNER FRANK L
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001202709

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-15057
		FILM NUMBER:		11664511

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O FEDERAL EXPRESS FREIGHT EAST
		STREET 2:		2200 FORWARD DR
		CITY:			HARRISON
		STATE:			AR
		ZIP:			72602

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			PAM TRANSPORTATION SERVICES INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000798287
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	TRUCKING (NO LOCAL) [4213]
		IRS NUMBER:				710633135
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		297 WEST HENRI DE TONTI BLVD
		CITY:			TONTITOWN
		STATE:			AR
		ZIP:			72770
		BUSINESS PHONE:		4793619111

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		297 WEST HENRI DE TONTI BLVD
		CITY:			TONTITOWN
		STATE:			AR
		ZIP:			72770
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>edgar.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0303</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2011-03-02</periodOfReport>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000798287</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>PAM TRANSPORTATION SERVICES INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>PTSI</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001202709</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>CONNER FRANK L</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>POST OFFICE BOX 188</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>TONTITOWN</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>AR</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>72770</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>DIRECTOR STOCK OPTION (Right to Buy)</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>11.75</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2011-03-02</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>2000</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2011-03-02</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2016-03-02</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>2000</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>2000</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value></value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes></footnotes>

    <remarks></remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>C. Douglas Buford, Jr. as Attorney-in-fact for Frank L. Conner</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2011-03-04</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
