UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549
         --------------------------------------------------------------


                                    FORM 8-K


                                 CURRENT REPORT


                       Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of
                       the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

                Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported):
                                September 9, 2004


                             HEARTLAND EXPRESS, INC.
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


                        Commission File Number - 0-15087


            NEVADA                                           93-0926999
(State of other Jurisdiction                             (IRS Employer ID No.)
        of Incorporation)

2777 HEARTLAND DRIVE, CORALVILLE, IOWA                          52241
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)                      (Zip Code)


        Registrant's Telephone Number (including area code): 319-545-2728




ITEM 8.01.  OTHER EVENTS

     On September 9, 2004, Heartland Express, Inc. (the "Company") announced the
declaration of a quarterly cash dividend.  A copy of the press release issued by
the Company is attached as Exhibit 99.1.

ITEM 9.01. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS

(c)  Exhibits

     The Exhibit listed on the Exhibit Index  accompanying Form 8-K is furnished
herewith.




                                   SIGNATURES

     Pursuant to the  requirements  of the Securities  Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on behalf by the undersigned
thereunto duly authorized.

                                                       HEARTLAND EXPRESS, INC.

Date: September 9, 2004                                BY: /s/ John P. Cosaert
                                                       -----------------------
                                                       JOHN P. COSAERT
                                                       Vice-President
                                                       Finance and Treasurer





                                  EXHIBIT INDEX

99.1 Press  release  issued by the Company on September 9, 2004  announcing  the
declaration of a quarterly cash dividend.





                                Exhibit No. 99.1



Thursday, September 9, 2004, For Immediate Release

Press Release

Heartland Express, Inc. Declares Regular Quarterly Dividend


CORALVILLE,  IOWA - September 9, 2004 - Heartland Express,  Inc. (Nasdaq:  HTLD)
The  Board  of  Directors  of  Heartland  Express,   Inc.  announced  today  the
declaration of a regular  quarterly cash dividend.  The $0.02 per share dividend
will be paid on  October  1,  2004 to  shareholders  of  record  at the close of
business on  September  20,  2004.  A total of $1.5  million will be paid on the
Company's 75 million outstanding shares of common stock.

Heartland  Express,  Inc.  implemented a quarterly cash dividend  program in the
third quarter of 2003.  This is the Company's fifth  consecutive  quarterly cash
dividend.

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.

                         For further information contact
                            John P. Cosaert, EVP; CFO
                             Heartland Express, Inc.
                                  319-545-2728


                                 END OF REPORT