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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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 6s3dQZYok1HiIFJ+ckqVFw==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000883945-05-000011.txt : 20050127
<SEC-HEADER>0000883945-05-000011.hdr.sgml : 20050127
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20050127132051
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000883945-05-000011
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20050126
FILED AS OF DATE:		20050127
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20050127

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			ELLIOTT TERRY A
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001216979

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-19858
		FILM NUMBER:		05553043

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O USA TRUCK INC
		STREET 2:		3200 INDUSTRIAL PARK ROAD
		CITY:			VAN BUREN
		STATE:			AR
		ZIP:			72956

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			USA TRUCK INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000883945
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	TRUCKING (NO LOCAL) [4213]
		IRS NUMBER:				710556971
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		3200 INDUSTRIAL PARK ROAD
		CITY:			VAN BUREN
		STATE:			AR
		ZIP:			72956
		BUSINESS PHONE:		479-471-2500

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		3200 INDUSTRIAL PARK ROAD
		CITY:			VAN BUREN
		STATE:			AR
		ZIP:			72956
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>tae_form420050126-soex.xml
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2005-01-26</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000883945</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>USA TRUCK INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>USAK</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001216979</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>ELLIOTT TERRY A</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>3200 INDUSTRIAL PARK ROAD</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>VAN BUREN</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>AR</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>72956</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>500</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Stock Option (Right to Buy)</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>16.08</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2005-01-26</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>3000</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2006-01-26</value>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2010-01-26</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>3000</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>3000</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">The option shares vest in equal increments of 750 shares beginning on 01/26/06 and continue through 01/26/09. These shares
expire in equal increments of 750 shares beginning on 01/26/07 and continue through 01/26/10.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Craig S. Shelly</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2005-01-27</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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