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):
                                 March 10, 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 5.  OTHER EVENTS AND REQUIRED FD DISCLOSURE

     On March 10, 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 7. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, PRO FORMA FINANCIAL INFORMATION 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: March 10, 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 March 10,  2004  announcing  the
declaration of a quarterly cash dividend.









































                                Exhibit No. 99.1

Wednesday, March 10, 2004, For Immediate Release

Press Release

Heartland Express, Inc. Declares Regular Quarterly Dividend

CORALVILLE,  IOWA - March 10, 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
April 2, 2004 to  shareholders  of record at the close of  business on March 22,
2004.

Heartland  Express,  Inc.  implemented a quarterly cash dividend  program in the
third  quarter  of 2003.  The  Company's  first ever cash  dividend  was paid on
October 2, 2003.

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