<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0306</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2018-03-22</periodOfReport>

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

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001688869</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Reed James D</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>1</isOfficer>
            <officerTitle>President and CEO</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2018-03-22</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>23319</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>83074</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2018-03-22</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>5000</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>88084</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F3"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Represents an award of restricted stock to the reporting person under the USA Truck, Inc. 2014 Omnibus Incentive Plan.  Of the reported shares, (i) 9,328 shares are subject to time-based vesting in four equal annual installments beginning on the first anniversary of the grant date and (ii) 13,991 shares are subject to performance-based vesting at the conclusion of a three-year performance period ending December 31, 2020.  Vesting of the restricted shares is subject to continued employment and certain other forfeiture and acceleration provisions.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Represents an award of restricted stock to the reporting person under the USA Truck, Inc. 2014 Omnibus Incentive Plan, which vests in three equal annual installments commencing on the first anniversary of the grant date, and is subject to continued employment and certain other forfeiture and acceleration provisions.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">The amount includes shares purchased by the reporting person from the USA Truck, Inc., Employee Stock Purchase Plan that have not been previously reported.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Zachary B. King, attorney-in-fact pursuant to a POA previously filed.</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2018-03-26</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
