HEARTLAND INCREASES DRIVER PAY - 15% HIGHER THAN 2003!

CORALVILLE, IOWA. –December 21, 2004– Heartland Express, Inc. (Nasdaq: HTLD - www.heartlandexpress.com.) The perennial leader for driver pay in the truckload industry announced today that they are implementing an additional 3 cent per mile pay raise for all “system” and regional drivers! This raise coupled with the increase given in early 2004 makes the pay for these drivers 15% higher than 2003! It will move Heartland’s top solo and team company driver pay from $.43 to $.46, and Owner Operator solo and team pay from $.88 to $.91 (before their additional fuel stabilization program).

The raise will go into effect during the first quarter of 2005. The 3 cent company pay increase will be implemented as a penny increase on 1/1/05, 1/29/05, and 2/26/05. The 3 cent Owner Operator increase will be effective on 1/1/05. This increase will solidify the Company’s industry leading driver compensation package. According to a recent survey the average wage for a driver with 3 years experience for the companies surveyed was approximately $.33 per mile. With Heartland this same driver will earn $.44 per mile or more than 33% HIGHER than that average rate!

Executive Vice President and CFO John Cosaert made clear the beliefs held by Mr. Russell Gerdin, Founder, President, and CEO of Heartland Express in a letter to Heartland’s drivers stating, “…he believes in (our drivers) and believes that (they) have the toughest job in the industry. He has spent a lifetime defending and lobbying for drivers. Over the years I have been beside Mr. Gerdin when he has stood before our industry and Wall Street taking a leadership role declaring that as an industry we have to do more for our drivers!”

Mr. Cosaert went on to say, “Heartland can give an increase such as this because of the service our drivers provide to our customers. Their professionalism is the key to ensuring that we maintain our excellent reputation! We’re committed to performance just as we are committed to maintaining our leadership position with respect to driver pay!”

Heartland Express is also known for their unique approach to drivers who run in the Northeast part of the country. In August of 2004 they introduced a program called GREEN MILE$, where company drivers running in this area can make an unprecedented $.50 per mile and operators make $.95 per dispatched mile, loaded or empty, PLUS their added fuel stabilization program pay.

In addition to being recognized as a place to go for top wages, Heartland’s regional fleets offer increased hometime opportunities for those drivers needing more flexibility. The typical regional driver gets home most weekends. Heartland currently operates regional fleets out of Iowa City, IA; Columbus, OH; Carlisle, PA; Chester, VA; Kingsport, TN; Olive Branch, MS; Atlanta, GA; and Jacksonville, FL. The pay rates in these regional operations are believed to be significantly higher than those of most over the road positions in the industry.

In an earlier announcement Heartland stated that they were replacing their entire tractor fleet with 2005 and newer International 9400i model tractors. The International truck was chosen with the driver in mind and offers more amenities than their current fleet of Freightliners. This transition is well under way with a substantial number of tractors already replaced. The company is committed to having this transition completed by the end of 2006.

Heartland Express is currently recruiting Company and Owner Operator solo drivers and teams. They continue to retain the best quality, driver-friendly freight and are adding new freight every week. The service that Heartland’s drivers provide makes Heartland a premier truckload carrier in a highly competitive market and the company is looking to grow their fleet of experienced professional drivers.

Heartland Express is an irregular route truckload carrier based in Coralville, Iowa serving customers with primary shipping lanes east of the Rocky Mountains. They offer long-haul, regional, and dedicated opportunities. Any professional driver interested in getting more information about Heartland Express can call them at 1-800-441-4953 or access the company website at www.heartlandexpress.com.

The press release may contain forward-looking statements, which are based on information currently available. These statements and assumptions involve certain risks and uncertainties. Actual events may differ from these expectations as specified from time to time in filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement to the extent it becomes aware that it will not be achieved for any reason.

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