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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000002230-06-000002.txt : 20060117
<SEC-HEADER>0000002230-06-000002.hdr.sgml : 20060116
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20060117094656
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000002230-06-000002
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20060112
FILED AS OF DATE:		20060117
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20060117

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			TRUTA JOSEPH M
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001202950

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	811-00248
		FILM NUMBER:		06531577

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		7 ST PAUL STREET
		STREET 2:		STE 1140
		CITY:			BALTIMORE
		STATE:			MD
		ZIP:			21202

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			ADAMS EXPRESS CO
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000002230
		IRS NUMBER:				134912740
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			MD
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		SEVEN ST PAUL ST STE 1140
		CITY:			BALTIMORE
		STATE:			MD
		ZIP:			21202
		BUSINESS PHONE:		4107525900

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		7 ST PAUL STREET SUITE 1140
		CITY:			BALTIMORE
		STATE:			MD
		ZIP:			21202
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2006-01-12</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000002230</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>ADAMS EXPRESS CO</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>ADX</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001202950</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>TRUTA JOSEPH M</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>7 ST PAUL STREET</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>STE 1140</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>BALTIMORE</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>MD</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>21202</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>President</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2006-01-12</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>3868</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>8759</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2006-01-12</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>5</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>J</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value>E</value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>14261</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F3"/>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>199336</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>By Issuer's Thrift Plan Trust</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F3"/>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2006-01-12</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>5</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>J</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value>E</value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>1149</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F4"/>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>17646</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>By PEO Thrift Plan Trust</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F4"/>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">N/A.  Restricted Stock Grant.  Shares will vest in 2009.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Of these shares, 184 were acquired during 2005 in exempt acquisitions as a result of dividend reinvestment and 3 shares were acquired in an exempt transaction (Code L under rule 16a-6).</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">The number of shares of Common Stock reported as held by the Issuer's Thrift Plan Trust represents the undersigned's proportionate beneficial interest in such stock held in the Trust.  Such number is based on information as of 1/12/2006, the most recent date as of which such information is available.  This number reflects periodic contributions made during 2005, shares acquired by the Trust through dividend reinvestment, and changes in the number of shares previously reported due to fluctuations in the market price and interests in the Trust.  Shares were acquired by the Trustee at various times during 2005.  The Issuer's stock traded in a range of $12.50-$13.35 during 2005.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F4">The number of shares of Common Stock reported as held by the Petroleum &amp; Resources Corporation (PEO) Thrift Plan Trust represents the undersigned's proportionate beneficial interest in such stock held in the Trust.  Such number is based on information as of 1/12/2006, the most recent date as of which such information is available.  This number reflects periodic contributions made during 2005, shares acquired by the Trust through dividend reinvestment, and changes in the number of shares previously reported due to fluctuations in the market price and interests in the Trust.  Shares were acquired by Trustee at various times during 2005.  The Issuer's stock traded in a range of $12.50-$13.35 during 2005.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Joseph M. Truta</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2006-01-17</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
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</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
-----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----