10-Q

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

[X]   QUARTERLY REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15 (d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For quarter ended September 30, 2016

[  ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from                to

Commission file number 0-15087

HEARTLAND EXPRESS, INC.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

Nevada	93-0926999
(State or Other Jurisdiction	(I.R.S. Employer
of Incorporation or organization)	Identification No.)
901 North Kansas Avenue, North Liberty, Iowa	52317
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)	(Zip Code)

319-626-3600

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code (319) 626-3600

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15 (d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to file such reports) and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

Yes [X] No [  ]

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).

Yes [X] No [  ]

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See definition of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act:

Large accelerated filer [X] Accelerated filer [ ] Non-accelerated filer [ ] Smaller reporting company [ ]

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

Yes [ ] No [ X ]

As of November 7, 2016 there were 83,286,391 shares of the Company’s common stock ($0.01 par value) outstanding.

1

HEARTLAND EXPRESS, INC.

AND SUBSIDIARIES

TABLE OF CONTENTS

	Page
PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015 (unaudited)	3
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 (unaudited)	4
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016 (unaudited)	5
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 (unaudited)	6
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)	7
Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	16
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk	24
Item 4. Controls and Procedures	24
PART II - OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. Legal Proceedings	26
Item 2. Changes in Securities	26
Item 3. Defaults upon Senior Securities	26
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures	26
Item 5. Other Information	26
Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K	27
Signatures	28

2

PART I

HEARTLAND EXPRESS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (in thousands, except per share amounts) (unaudited)
ASSETS	September 30, 2016			December 31, 2015
CURRENT ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	$	100,264		$	33,232
Trade receivables, net	51,704			61,009
Prepaid tires	8,747			9,584
Other current assets	9,395			8,316
Income tax receivable	6,555			7,641
Deferred income taxes, net	—			16,662
Total current assets	176,665			136,444
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT
Land and land improvements	39,258			37,899
Buildings	48,372			47,837
Leasehold improvements	1,703			1,703
Furniture and fixtures	2,096			2,096
Shop and service equipment	10,918			10,917
Revenue equipment	577,393			571,281
Construction in progress	3			213
	679,743			671,946
Less accumulated depreciation	242,987			197,948
Property and equipment, net	436,756			473,998
GOODWILL	100,212			100,212
OTHER INTANGIBLES, NET	12,570			14,013
DEFERRED INCOME TAXES, NET	4,156			—
OTHER ASSETS	11,353			11,363
	$	741,712		$	736,030
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
CURRENT LIABILITIES
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	$	16,755		$	7,516
Compensation and benefits	23,748			24,636
Insurance accruals	22,494			21,573
Other accruals	13,747			12,443
Total current liabilities	76,744			66,168
LONG-TERM LIABILITIES
Income taxes payable	12,668			16,228
Deferred income taxes, net	93,933			112,118
Insurance accruals less current portion	60,104			59,435
Other long-term liabilities	4,000			12,153
Total long-term liabilities	170,705			199,934
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Note 14)
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Preferred stock, par value $.01; authorized 5,000 shares; none issued	—			—
Capital stock, common, $.01 par value; authorized 395,000 shares; issued 90,689 in 2016 and 2015; outstanding 83,287 in 2016 and 84,115 in 2015, respectively	907			907
Additional paid-in capital	3,323			4,126
Retained earnings	614,221			575,948
Treasury stock, at cost; 7,402 shares in 2016 and 6,574 in 2015, respectively	(124,188		)	(111,053		)
	494,263			469,928
	$	741,712		$	736,030

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

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HEARTLAND EXPRESS, INC.
AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
(unaudited)
	Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2016			2015			2016			2015
OPERATING REVENUE	$	149,316		$	182,533		$	472,893		$	561,739
OPERATING EXPENSES
Salaries, wages, and benefits	58,351			$	68,987		$	185,342		$	210,886
Rent and purchased transportation	5,472			8,238			18,353			26,775
Fuel	22,987			29,414			68,575			97,866
Operations and maintenance	6,391			9,213			19,999			25,725
Operating taxes and licenses	3,889			4,498			11,722			13,690
Insurance and claims	4,536			7,379			17,607			17,491
Communications and utilities	1,156			1,699			3,420			4,695
Depreciation and amortization	27,271			28,415			78,823			81,266
Other operating expenses	824			7,230			11,655			21,734
Gain on disposal of property and equipment	(1,474		)	(7,401		)	(7,273		)	(27,250		)
	129,403			157,672			408,223			472,878
Operating income	19,913			24,861			64,670			88,861
Interest income	124			64			308			156
Interest expense	—			—			—			(19		)
Income before income taxes	20,037			24,925			64,978			88,998
Federal and state income taxes	7,510			9,812			21,706			32,957
Net income	$	12,527		$	15,113		$	43,272		$	56,041
Other comprehensive income, net of tax	—			—			—			—
Comprehensive income	$	12,527		$	15,113		$	43,272		$	56,041
Net income per share
Basic	$	0.15		$	0.17		$	0.52		$	0.64
Diluted	$	0.15		$	0.17		$	0.52		$	0.64
Weighted average shares outstanding
Basic	83,286			87,387			83,301			87,663
Diluted	83,342			87,492			83,373			87,806
Dividends declared per share	$	0.02		$	0.02		$	0.06		$	0.06

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

4

HEARTLAND EXPRESS, INC
ANDSUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
(unaudited)
	Capital		Additional
	Stock,		Paid-In			Retained			Treasury
	Common		Capital			Earnings			Stock			Total
Balance, December 31, 2015	$	907	$	4,126		$	575,948		$	(111,053	)	$	469,928
Net income	—		—			43,272			—			43,272
Dividends on common stock, $0.06 per share	—		—			(4,999		)	—			(4,999		)
Repurchases of common stock	—		—			—			(14,678		)	(14,678		)
Stock-based compensation, net of tax	—		(803		)	—			1,543			740
Balance, September 30, 2016	$	907	$	3,323		$	614,221		$	(124,188	)	$	494,263

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

5

HEARTLAND EXPRESS, INC.
AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(in thousands)
(unaudited)
	Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2016			2015
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income	$	43,272		$	56,041
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided   by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	78,823			82,053
Deferred income taxes	(5,679		)	(4,569		)
Amortization of stock-based compensation, net of tax	740			1,042
Gain on disposal of property and equipment	(7,273		)	(27,250		)
Changes in certain working capital items:
Trade receivables	9,305			12,515
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	2,191			3,337
Accounts payable, accrued liabilities, and accrued expenses	1,291			7,001
Accrued income taxes	(2,474		)	12,777
Net cash provided by operating activities	120,196			142,947
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment	37,306			89,073
Purchases of property and equipment, net of trades	(69,979		)	(111,688		)
Change in designated funds for equipment purchases	(824		)	(12,488		)
Change in other assets	10			1,495
Net cash used in investing activities	(33,487		)	(33,608		)
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Payment of cash dividends	(4,999		)	(5,254		)
Payment of contingent consideration related to acquisition	—			(1,765		)
Repayments on line of credit	—			(24,600		)
Repurchases of common stock	(14,678		)	(30,858		)
Net cash used in financing activities	(19,677		)	(62,477		)
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	67,032			46,862
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
Beginning of period	33,232			17,303
End of period	$	100,264		$	64,165
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION
Interest paid	$	—		$	40
Cash paid during the period for income taxes, net of refunds	$	29,779		$	24,562
Noncash investing and financing activities:
Purchased property and equipment in accounts payable	$	2,527		$	10,956
Sold property and equipment in other current assets	$	1,803		$	12,488
Treasury stock acquired in accounts payable	$	—		4,911

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

6

HEARTLAND EXPRESS, INC.

AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(unaudited)

Note 1.  Basis of Presentation and New Accounting Pronouncements

Heartland Express, Inc., (the “Company,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) is a holding company incorporated in Nevada, which owns all of the stock of Heartland Express Inc. of Iowa, Heartland Express Services, Inc., Heartland Express Maintenance Services, Inc., and A & M Express, Inc. Gordon Trucking, Inc. ("GTI") was merged into Heartland Express Inc. of Iowa effective July 1, 2016. We, and our subsidiaries, operate as one segment. We, together with our subsidiaries, are a short-to-medium haul truckload carrier (predominately 500 miles or less per load) with corporate headquarters in North Liberty, Iowa. We primarily provide nationwide asset-based dry van truckload service for major shippers from Washington to Florida and New England to California.

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the parent company, Heartland Express, Inc., and its subsidiaries, all of which are wholly owned.  All material intercompany items and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements of the Company have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and notes to the financial statements required by U.S. generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all normal, recurring adjustments considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. The consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes for the year ended December 31, 2015 included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K of the Company filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 29, 2016. Interim results of operations are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year or any other interim periods. There were no changes to the Company's significant accounting policies during the nine month period ended September 30, 2016, except as noted below in regards to the balance sheet classification of deferred taxes.

In August 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Boards (FASB) issued ASU 2016-15, “Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments,” which addresses eight specific cash flow issues with the objective of reducing the existing diversity in practice. The provisions of this update are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017. Based on our initial assessment, we believe the impact of adoption of the standard will not have a material impact on our consolidated cash flows.

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, "Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments". This update requires measurement and recognition of expected versus incurred credit losses for financial assets held. ASU 2016-13 is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2019, and interim periods therein. Based on our initial assessment, we believe the impact of adoption of the standard will not have a material impact on our financial statements.

In March, 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-09, "Compensation-Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting". This update seeks to simplify several aspects of the accounting for share-based payment transactions, including the income tax consequences, classification of awards as either equity or liabilities and classification on the statement of cash flows. This update becomes effective for the Company beginning January 1, 2017 with early adoption permitted. Based on our initial assessment, we believe the impact of adoption of the standard will not have a material impact on our financial statements.

In February, 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, "Leases". This update seeks to increase the transparency and comparability among entities by requiring public entities to recognize lease assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet and disclose key information about leasing arrangements. To satisfy the standard’s objective, a lessee will recognize a right-of-use asset representing its right to use the underlying asset for the lease term and a lease liability for the obligation to make lease payments. Both the right-of-use asset and lease liability will initially be measured at the present value of the lease payments, with subsequent measurement dependent on the classification of the lease as either a finance or an operating lease. For leases with a term of 12 months or less, a lessee is permitted to make an accounting policy election by class of underlying asset not to recognize lease assets and lease liabilities. If a lessee makes this election, it should recognize lease expense for such leases generally on a straight-line basis over the lease term.

In transition, lessees are required to recognize and measure leases at the beginning of the earliest period presented using a modified retrospective approach. The modified retrospective approach includes a number of optional practical expedients that companies

7

may elect to apply. These practical expedients relate to the identification and classification of leases that commenced before the effective date, initial direct costs for leases that commenced before the effective date, and the ability to use hindsight in evaluating lessee options to extend or terminate a lease or to purchase the underlying asset. The transition guidance also provides specific guidance for sale and leaseback transactions, build-to-suit leases, leveraged leases, and amounts previously recognized in accordance with the business combinations guidance for leases. The new standard is effective for public companies for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods within those years, with early adoption permitted. Based on our initial assessment, we believe the impact of adoption of the standard will not have a material impact on our financial statements.

In November, 2015, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2015-17, "Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes". The ASU simplifies the current guidance, which requires entities to separately present deferred tax assets and liabilities as current and non-current in a classified balance sheet. The ASU will be effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within those years (with early adoption allowed). The Company adopted this guidance prospectively and classified deferred tax asset and deferred tax liability amounts, by tax jurisdiction, as non-currrent within our balance sheet beginning March 31, 2016 and for future periods. Prior periods presented have not been adjusted.

In May 2014, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers(Topic 606), which will replace numerous requirements in U.S. GAAP, including industry-specific requirements, and provide companies with a single revenue recognition model for recognizing revenue from contracts with customers. The core principle of the new standard is that a company should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The two permitted transition methods under the new standard are the full retrospective method, in which case the standard would be applied to each prior reporting period presented and the cumulative effect of applying the standard would be recognized at the earliest period shown, or the modified retrospective method, in which case the cumulative effect of applying the standard would be recognized at the date of initial application. In July 2015, the FASB approved the deferral of the new standard's effective date by one year. The new standard is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017. The FASB will permit companies to adopt the new standard early, but not before the original effective date of annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016. We have been closely monitoring FASB activity related to the new standard and are evaluating the effect that the new guidance will have on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. We have not yet selected a transition method nor have we determined the final effect of the standard on our ongoing financial reporting however, based on our initial assessment, we believe the impact of adoption of the standard will not have a material impact on our operating revenue or operating income.

Note 2.  Use of Estimates

The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period.  Actual results could differ from those estimates. There were no significant changes in estimates and assumptions used by management related to our critical accounting policies during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, except for a change in the assumptions related to the likelihood of future payouts which reduced the potential earn-out liability recorded related to an acquisition.

Note 3. Segment Information

We provide multiple transportation services across the United States (U.S.) and parts of Canada. We offer primarily asset-based transportation services in the dry van truckload market and also offer truckload temperature-controlled transportation services and non-asset based brokerage services. None of our transportation services or geographical-based regional terminals individually meet the definition of a segment. Our Chief Operating Decision Maker oversees and manages all of our transportation services and regional terminals, on a combined basis, including the legacy transportation services of acquired entities. As a result of the foregoing, we have determined that we have one segment, consistent with the authoritative accounting guidance on disclosures about segments of an enterprise and related information.

Note 4. Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash equivalents are short-term, highly liquid investments with insignificant interest rate risk and original maturities of three months or less at acquisition. At September 30, 2016, restricted and designated cash and investments totaled $12.2 million, of which $0.8 million was included in other current assets and $11.4 million was included in other non-current assets in the consolidated balance sheet. Restricted and designated cash and investments totaled $11.4 million at December 31, 2015, all of which was included in other non-current assets in the consolidated balance sheet.  The restricted funds represent deposits required by state

8

agencies for self-insurance purposes and designated funds that are earmarked for a specific purpose and not for general business use.

Note 5. Prepaid Tires, Property, Equipment, and Depreciation

Property and equipment are reported at cost, net of accumulated depreciation. Maintenance and repairs are charged to operations as incurred.  New tires are capitalized separately from revenue equipment and are reported separately as “Prepaid tires” in the consolidated balance sheets and amortized over two years.  Depreciation expense of $0.0 million and $0.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 and $0.0 million and $0.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively, have been included in communication and utilities in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income. Depreciation for financial statement purposes is computed by the straight-line method for all assets other than tractors.  We recognize depreciation expense on tractors using the 125% declining balance method. New tractors are depreciated to salvage values of $15,000 while new trailers are depreciated to salvage values of $4,000.

Note 6. Other Intangibles, Net and Goodwill

All intangible assets determined to have finite lives are amortized over their estimated useful lives. The useful life of an intangible asset is the period over which the asset is expected to contribute directly or indirectly to future cash flows. There was no change in the gross amount of identifiable intangible assets during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016. Amortization expense of $0.5 million, $1.4 million, $0.6 million, and $1.8 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively, was included in depreciation and amortization in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income. Intangible assets subject to amortization consisted of the following at September 30, 2016:

	Amortization period (years)	Gross Amount		Accumulated Amortization		Net intangible assets
		(in thousands)
Customer relationships	20	$	7,600	$	1,092	$	6,508
Tradename	6	7,400		3,544		3,856
Covenants not to compete	10	3,100		894		2,206
Real estate options	2.2	942		942		—
		$	19,042	$	6,472	$	12,570

Carrying amounts of goodwill were as follows:

	(in thousands)
Balance at December 31, 2015	$	100,212
Acquisitions	—
Balance at September 30, 2016	$	100,212

Note 7. Earnings per Share

Basic earnings per share is based upon the weighted average common shares outstanding during each year.  Diluted earnings per share is based on the basic weighted earnings per share with additional weighted common shares for common stock equivalents. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and September 30, 2015, we had outstanding restricted shares of common stock to certain of our employees under the Company's 2011 Restricted Stock Award Plan (the "Plan"). A reconciliation of the numerator (net income) and denominator (weighted average number of shares outstanding of the basic and diluted earnings per share ("EPS")) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and September 30, 2015 is as follows (in thousands, except per share data):

9

	Three months ended September 30, 2016
	Net Income (numerator)		Shares (denominator)	Per Share Amount
Basic EPS	$	12,527	83,286	$	0.15
Effect of restricted stock	—		56
Diluted EPS	$	12,527	83,342	$	0.15

	Three months ended September 30, 2015
	Net Income (numerator)		Shares (denominator)	Per Share Amount
Basic EPS	$	15,113	87,387	$	0.17
Effect of restricted stock	—		105
Diluted EPS	$	15,113	87,492	$	0.17

	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016
	Net Income (numerator)		Shares (denominator)	Per Share Amount
Basic EPS	$	43,272	83,301	$	0.52
Effect of restricted stock	—		72
Diluted EPS	$	43,272	83,373	$	0.52

	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015
	Net Income (numerator)		Shares (denominator)	Per Share Amount
Basic EPS	$	56,041	87,663	$	0.64
Effect of restricted stock	—		143
Diluted EPS	$	56,041	87,806	$	0.64

Note 8. Equity

In September 2001, our Board of Directors authorized a program to repurchase 15.4 million shares, adjusted for stock splits, of our common stock in open market or negotiated transactions using available cash, cash equivalents and investments which was subsequently amended in February 2012.  Approximately 3.3 million shares remain authorized for repurchase under the program as of September 30, 2016. There were no shares repurchased during the three months ended September 30, 2016. There were 0.9 million shares repurchased in the open market during the nine months ended September 30, 2016. There were 1.8 million shares repurchased in the open market during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015. The authorization remains open at September 30, 2016 and has no expiration date. The share repurchase authorization is discretionary and may be suspended or discontinued at any time without prior notice.  

During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, our Board of Directors declared regular quarterly dividends totaling $1.7 million, $5.0 million, and $1.7 million, $5.2 million respectively.  Future payment of cash dividends and the amount of such dividends will depend upon our financial conditions, our results of operations, our cash requirements, our tax treatment, and certain corporate law requirements, as well as factors deemed relevant by our Board of Directors.

10

Note 9. Stock-Based Compensation

In July 2011, a Special Meeting of Stockholders of Heartland Express, Inc. was held, at which meeting the approval of the Plan was ratified. The Plan is administered by the Compensation Committee of our Board of Directors. Per the terms of the awards, employees receiving awards will have all of the rights of a stockholder with respect to the unvested restricted shares including, but not limited to, the right to receive such cash dividends, if any, as may be declared on such shares from time to time and the right to vote such shares at any meeting of our stockholders.

The Plan made available up to 0.9 million shares for the purpose of making restricted stock grants to our eligible officers and employees. During December 2011, 0.4 million shares were initially granted to employees and no additional shares were granted during 2012. All shares initially granted in 2011 have vested. Additional shares granted in 2013 through 2016 have various vesting terms that range from immediate to four years from the date of grant. Once vested, there are no other restrictions on the awards. Compensation expense associated with these awards is based on the market value of our stock on the grant date. Our market closing price ranged between $13.86 and $18.18 on the various grant dates for the shares issued in 2013. The Company's market close price ranged between $21.72 and $27.47 on the various grant dates during 2014, ranged between $19.93 and $27.29 on the various grant dates during 2015, and ranged between $17.06 and $18.78 on the various grant dates during the nine months ended September 30, 2016. There were no significant assumptions made in determining the fair value. Compensation expense associated with restricted stock awards is included in salaries, wages and benefits in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income. Compensation expense associated with restricted stock awards was $0.1 million and $1.2 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016. Compensation expense associated with restricted stock awards was $0.4 million and $1.0 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015. As of September 30, 20160.4 million shares remain available to be granted under the Plan. Unrecognized compensation expense was $0.6 million at September 30, 2016 which will be recognized over a remaining weighted average period of 1.3 years.

The following tables summarize our restricted stock award activity for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015.

	Three Months Ended September 30, 2016
	Number of Shares of Restricted Stock Awards (in thousands)		Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
Unvested at beginning of period	66.8		$	20.55
Granted	—		—
Vested	(11.8	)	17.11
Forfeited	—		—
Outstanding (unvested) at end of period	55.1		$	21.29

	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016
	Number of Shares of Restricted Stock Awards (in thousands)		Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
Unvested at beginning of period	102.4		$	18.36
Granted	74.0		17.27
Vested	(121.4	)	17.05
Forfeited	—		—
Outstanding (unvested) at end of period	55.1		$	21.29

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	Three Months Ended September 30, 2015
	Number of Shares of Restricted Stock Awards (in thousands)		Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
Unvested at beginning of period	104.6		$	18.04
Granted	11.2		19.94
Vested	(13.2	)	18.97
Forfeited	—		—
Outstanding (unvested) at end of period	102.6		$	18.13

	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015
	Number of Shares of Restricted Stock Awards (in thousands)		Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
Unvested at beginning of period	183.1		$	16.78
Granted	15.4		21.07
Vested	(95.9	)	16.25
Forfeited	—		—
Outstanding (unvested) at end of period	102.6		$	18.13

Note 10.  Long-Term Debt

In November 2013, we entered into a credit agreement (the “Credit Agreement”) by and among Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, (the “Bank”), Heartland Express, Inc. of Iowa as the borrower (the “Borrower”), us, and the other members of our consolidated group, as Guarantors. Pursuant to the Credit Agreement, the Bank provided a five-year, $250.0 million unsecured revolving line of credit. The line of credit is available for working capital, equipment financing, and general corporate purposes. The Bank's commitment decreased to $200.0 million on November 1, 2015 and decreased to $175.0 million from November 1, 2016 through October 31, 2018.

The Credit Agreement is unsecured, with a negative pledge against all assets of our consolidated group, except for debt associated with permitted acquisitions, new purchase-money debt and capital lease obligations as described in the Credit Agreement. The Credit Agreement matures on October 31, 2018. The Borrower has the ability to terminate the commitment at any time at no additional cost to the Borrower. Borrowings under the Credit Agreement can either be, at Borrower's election, (i) one-month or three-month LIBOR (Index) plus 0.625%, floating, or (ii) Prime (Index) plus 0.0%, floating. There is a commitment fee on the unused portion of the Revolver at 0.0625%, due monthly.

The Credit Agreement contains customary financial covenants including, but not limited to, (i) a maximum adjusted leverage ratio of 2:1, measured quarterly on a trailing twelve month basis, (ii) a minimum net income requirement of $1.00, measured quarterly on a trailing twelve month basis, (iii) a minimum tangible net worth of $200 million requirement, measured quarterly, and (iv) limitations on other indebtedness and liens. The Credit Agreement also includes customary events of default, conditions, representations and warranties, and indemnification provisions. We were in compliance with the respective financial covenants at September 30, 2016.

Note 11.  Income Taxes

We use the asset and liability method of accounting for income taxes.  Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to temporary differences between the financial statement carrying amount of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax basis.  Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. Such amounts are adjusted, as appropriate, to reflect changes in tax rates expected to be in effect when temporary differences reverse. The effect of a change in tax rates on deferred taxes is recognized in the period that the change is enacted. A valuation allowance is recorded

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to reduce the Company's deferred tax assets to the amount that is more likely than not to be realized. We had no recorded valuation allowance at September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015.

Our effective tax rate was 37.5% and 39.4% for the three months ended and 33.4%, and 37.0% for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively.  The decrease in the effective tax rate for 2016 is primarily attributable to the favorable impact of the reversal of previously recorded accruals for penalties and interest related to uncertain tax positions where the applicable statute of limitations have now lapsed.

We recognize the effect of income tax positions only if those positions are more likely than not of being sustained.  Recognized income tax positions are measured at the largest amount that is greater than 50% likely of being realized. Changes in recognition or measurement are reflected in the period in which the change in judgment occurs.  We record interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in income tax expense.

At September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, we had a total of $9.6 million and $11.6 million in gross unrecognized tax benefits, respectively.  Of this amount, $6.0 million and $7.3 million represents the amount of unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized, would impact our effective tax rate as of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015.  Unrecognized tax benefits were a net increase of $0.1 million and $0.2 million during the three months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively. Unrecognized tax benefits were a net decrease of $2.0 million and $1.4 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively. The net increases during the three month periods of 2016 and 2015 was mainly due to unrecognized tax benefits resulting from current year tax positions. The net decreases during the nine month periods of 2016 and 2015 were due mainly to the expiration of certain statutes of limitation net of additions with respective states.  This had the effect of decreasing the effective state tax rate during these respective periods. The total net amount of accrued interest and penalties for such unrecognized tax benefits was $3.1 million and $4.7 million at September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015 and is included in income taxes payable in the consolidated balance sheets.  Income tax expense is increased each period for the accrual of interest on outstanding positions and penalties when the uncertain tax position is initially recorded. Income tax expense is reduced in periods by the amount of accrued interest and penalties associated with reversed uncertain tax positions due to lapse of applicable statute of limitations, when applicable or when a position is settled. Net interest and penalties included in income tax expense for the three month period ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 was a net expense of approximately $0.1 million and $0.1 million, respectively. Net interest and penalties included in income tax expense for the nine month period ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 was a benefit of approximately $1.6 million and $1.1 million, respectively. Income tax expense increased during the three months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 due to additions for interest and penalty accruals. Income tax expense was reduced during the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 due to reversals of interest and penalties due to lapse of applicable statute of limitations and settlements, net of additions for interest and penalty accruals during the same period. These unrecognized tax benefits relate to risks associated with state income tax filing positions for our corporate subsidiaries.

A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits is as follows:

	2016
	(in thousands)
Balance at January 1, 2016	$	11,569
Additions based on tax positions related to current year	474
Additions for tax positions of prior years	—
Reductions for tax positions of prior years	(108		)
Reductions due to lapse of applicable statute of limitations	(2,374		)
Settlements	—
Balance at September 30, 2016	$	9,561

A number of years may elapse before an uncertain tax position is audited and ultimately settled. It is difficult to predict the ultimate outcome or the timing of resolution for uncertain tax positions. It is reasonably possible that the amount of unrecognized tax benefits could significantly increase or decrease within the next twelve months. These changes could result from the expiration of the statute of limitations, examinations or other unforeseen circumstances. We do not have any outstanding litigation related to tax matters.  At this time, management’s best estimate of the reasonably possible change in the amount of gross unrecognized tax benefits to be a decrease of approximately $1.2 million to a decrease of $2.2 million during the next twelve months mainly due to the expiration of certain statute of limitations, net of additions.  The federal statute of limitations remains open for the years 2013 and forward. Tax years 2005 and forward are subject to audit by state tax authorities depending on the tax code and administrative practice of each state.

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Note 12.  Operating Leases

During 2016, we leased certain revenue equipment of which the majority of these leases were with a commercial tractor dealership, whose owners include a board member. During 2015, a portion of our operating leases were with the noted commercial tractor dealership. Rent expense for these leases were $0.0 million and $0.8 million (including related-party rental payments totaling $0.0 million and $0.8 million), for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, respectively. Rent expense for these leases were $0.8 million and $2.8 million (including related-party rental payments totaling $0.8 million, and $2.7 million), for the three and nine months ended 2015, respectively. These expenses were included in rent and purchased transportation in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income. The various leases were terminated in June 2016.

We lease certain terminal facilities under operating leases. A portion of these leases are with limited liability companies, whose members include a board member and a commercial tractor dealership whose owners include a board member. Rent expenses for terminal facilities were $0.5 million and $1.6 million (including related-party rental payments totaling $0.5 million and $1.4 million), for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, respectively. Rent expenses for terminal facilities were $0.9 million and $3.0 million (including related-party rental payments totaling $0.8 million and $2.8 million), for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, respectively. These expenses were included in rent and purchased transportation in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income. The various leases expire from 2017 through 2018 and contain purchase options and options to renew, except the Pacific, Washington location. We have renewal options and a right of first refusal on the sale of the Pacific, Washington location property. We are responsible for all taxes, insurance, and utilities related to the terminal leases. See Note 13 for additional information regarding related party transactions.

Note 13. Related Party

We lease certain terminal facilities for operations under operating leases from certain limited liability companies, whose members include a board member and a commercial tractor dealership whose owners include a board member. These terminal facility leases started in November 2013 and have initial five year terms, purchase options, and options to renew excluding the Pacific, Washington location. The Pacific, Washington location contains lease renewal options and a right of first refusal on any sale of the property.

We purchased tractors from and sold tractors to the commercial tractor dealership noted above. We had operating leases for certain revenue equipment with the commercial tractor dealership and we also purchased parts and services from the same commercial tractor dealership. We owed the commercial tractor dealership $0.0 million and $0.1 million, included in accounts payable and accrued liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets at September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively, for tractors delivered but not paid for prior to these dates and outstanding parts and services.

The related payments (receipts) with related parties for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 (in thousands) were as follows:

	Three months ended September 30,
	2016		2015
Payments for tractor purchases	$	—	20,687
Receipts for tractor sales	—		(9,035		)
Receipts for trailer sales	—		(28		)
Revenue equipment lease payments	—		767
Payments for parts and services	368		1,224
Terminal lease payments	466		833
	$	834	$	14,448

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	Nine months ended September 30,
	2016			2015
Payments for tractor purchases	$	4,300		$	45,582
Receipts for tractor sales	—			(28,603		)
Receipts for trailer sales	(108		)	(28		)
Revenue equipment lease payments	813			2,651
Payments for parts and services	1,151			3,650
Terminal lease payments	1,397			2,753
Terminal lease purchase option payment	—			4,875
	$	7,553		$	30,880

Note 14.  Commitments and Contingencies

We are a party to ordinary, routine litigation and administrative proceedings incidental to its business. In the opinion of management, our potential exposure under pending legal proceedings is adequately provided for in the accompanying consolidated financial statements.  

The total estimated purchase commitments for tractors, net of tractor sale commitments, and trailer equipment as of September 30, 2016 was $54.4 million.

Note 15.  Subsequent Events

We have evaluated events occurring subsequent to September 30, 2016. No events occurred requiring disclosure.

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ITEM 2.    MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS

OF OPERATIONS

This Item 2 contains certain statements that may be considered forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and such statements are subject to the safe harbor created by such sections. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are statements that could be deemed forward-looking statements, including without limitation: any projections of earnings, revenues, or other financial items; any statement of plans, strategies, and objectives of management for future operations; any statements concerning proposed new services or developments; any statements regarding future economic conditions or performance; and any statements of belief and any statement of assumptions underlying any of the foregoing. Such statements may be identified by their use of terms or phrases such as “expects,” “estimates,” “projects,” “believes,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “may” “could," and similar terms and phrases. Forward-looking statements are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties, some of which cannot be predicted or quantified, which could cause future events and actual results to differ materially from those set forth in, contemplated by, or underlying the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, those discussed in the section entitled "Item 1A. Risk Factors," set forth in the Company's 2015 Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 29, 2016, which is by this reference incorporated herein. Readers should review and consider the factors discussed in “Risk Factors” of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K, along with various disclosures in our press releases, stockholder reports, and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

All such forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this Quarterly Report. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. The Company expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in the Company's expectations with regard thereto or any change in the events, conditions, or circumstances on which any such statement is based.

References in this Quarterly Report to “we,” “us,” “our,” “Heartland,” or the “Company” or similar terms refer to Heartland Express, Inc. and its subsidiaries.

Overview

We are a short-to-medium haul truckload carrier of general commodities with corporate headquarters in North Liberty, Iowa. We provide nationwide transportation services to major shippers spanning from Washington to Florida and New England to California as well as parts of Canada. We offer primarily asset-based transportation services in the dry van truckload market and also offer temperature-controlled transportation services and non asset-based freight brokerage services although such temperature-controlled and non asset-based services are not material sources of revenue. We provide these transportation services using predominately company-owned revenue equipment. We also obtain additional capacity through the use of independent contractor tractors, although this source of capacity is not significant to our overall operations.  We generally earn revenue based on the number of miles per load delivered.  We believe the keys to success are maintaining high levels of customer service and safety. Management believes achieving high levels of customer service and safety is predicated on the availability of late-model equipment and experienced drivers.  Management believes that our service standards, safety record, and equipment availability have made us a core carrier for many of our major customers.

We achieve operating efficiencies and cost controls through equipment utilization, which is optimized by a common information system platform, a fleet of late model equipment, industry-leading driver to non-driver employee ratio, and effective management of fixed and variable operating costs.  The demand for freight services was strong in 2014 as demand for freight services generally outpaced industry capacity in 2014 and into early 2015. The demand for freight services generally slowed in the later months of 2015 has continued throughout 2016. Industry capacity continues to be hindered by an insufficient quantity of qualified drivers, which is further challenged by various regulations that reduce drivers' utilization and availability. Further, industry conformity to the electronic logging device (ELD) requirement in December 2017 has the potential to further reduce overall industry capacity and driver availability. We cannot predict how future regulations will impact driver utilization. An industry shortage of qualified drivers, in conjunction with reduced driver utilization, creates a favorable rate environment, although the rate environment during 2016 has been intense due to industry capacity outpacing general demand for freight services. We cannot currently predict how long this volatility will continue or its future impact.

Competition for drivers, which has historically been intense, has recently escalated due to the decreasing numbers of qualified drivers in the industry, and we have experienced increased difficulties attracting and retaining qualified drivers. We continue to

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explore new strategies to attract and retain qualified drivers. We hire the majority of our drivers with at least six to nine months of over-the-road experience and safe driving records. In order to attract and retain experienced drivers who understand the importance of customer service, we have sought to solidify our position as an industry leader in driver compensation in our operating markets. We implemented increases to our driver pay package, in late 2014 and early 2015, raising driver compensation, on average, by approximately 13%. Our driver pay package includes future pay increases based on years of continued service to us and increased rates for accident-free miles of operation. We believe our current compensation package supports our leadership position in terms of driver pay within the industry and rewards our drivers for years of service with safe operating mileage benchmarks, which are critical to our operational and financial performance.

Containment of fuel cost continues to be one of management's top priorities as fuel expenses, at 14.5% of operating revenues at September 30, 2016, is our highest cost after salaries, wages and benefits to our drivers and other employees and depreciation and amortization. The average price so far in 2016 has been $2.27 with the latest Department of Energy ("DOE") price increasing to $2.48 compared to an average DOE price of $2.79 during the nine months ended September 30, 2015. Although the average price per gallon in 2016 is the lowest it has been since 2009, we currently cannot predict what fuel prices will be throughout the remainder of 2016. We are not able to pass through all fuel price increases through fuel surcharge agreements with customers due to tractor idling time, along with empty and out-of-route miles. Therefore, our operating income is negatively impacted with increased net fuel costs (fuel expense less fuel surcharge revenue) in a rising fuel environment and is positively impacted in a declining fuel environment. We continue to manage and implement fuel initiative strategies that we believe will effectively manage fuel costs.  These initiatives include strategic fueling of our trucks, whether it be terminal fuel or over-the-road fuel, reducing tractor idle time, controlling out-of-route miles, controlling empty miles, utilizing on-board power units to minimize idling, educating drivers to save energy, trailer skirting, and increasing fuel economy through the purchase of newer, more fuel efficient tractors. At September 30, 2016, 99% of our over-the-road sleeper berth tractor fleet was equipped with idle management controls. At September 30, 2016, the Company’s tractor fleet had an average age of 1.6 years and the Company's trailer fleet had an average age of 4.7 years.

We continue to focus on growing organically by providing quality service to targeted customers with a high density of freight in our regional operating areas. In addition to the development of our regional operating areas, we have made six acquisitions since 1987.  Future growth depends upon several factors including the level of economic growth and the related customer demand, the available capacity in the trucking industry, our ability to identify and consummate future acquisitions, our ability to integrate operations of acquired companies to realize efficiencies, and our ability to attract and retain experienced drivers that meet our hiring standards.

We ended the first nine months of 2016 with operating revenues of $472.9 million, including fuel surcharges, net income of $43.3 million, and basic net income per share of $0.52 on basic weighted average outstanding shares of 83.3 million compared to operating revenues of $561.7 million, including fuel surcharges, net income of $56.0 million, and basic net income per share of $0.64 on basic weighted average shares of 87.7 million in the first nine months of 2015. We posted an 86.3% operating ratio (operating expenses as a percentage of operating revenues) for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 compared to 84.2% for the same period of 2015 and a 9.2% net margin (net income as a percentage of operating revenues) for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 compared to 10.0% in the same period of 2015. We posted an 84.9% non-GAAP adjusted operating ratio⁽¹⁾ (operating expenses as a percentage of operating revenues, net of fuel surcharge) for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 compared to 81.8% for the same period of 2015. We had total assets of $741.7 million at September 30, 2016. We achieved a return on assets of 8.2% and a return on equity of 12.6% over the immediate past four quarters ended September 30, 2016, compared to 10.0% and 15.7%, respectively, for the immediate past four quarters ended September 30, 2015.  

Our cash flow from operating activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 of $120.2 million was 25.4% of operating revenues, compared to $142.9 million and 25.4% in the same period of 2015.  During 2016, we used $33.5 million in net investing cash flows, which was the result of net cash used for revenue equipment purchases. We used $19.7 million in financing activities directly related to repurchases of our common stock and payment of dividends. As a result, our cash and cash equivalents increased $67.0 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2016.  We ended the third quarter of 2016 with cash and cash equivalents of $100.3 million.

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(1)

GAAP to Non-GAAP Reconciliation Schedule:
Operating income, operating ratio, and adjusted operating ratio reconciliation (a)
(In thousands)
(unaudited)
	Three Months Ended September 30,
	2016			2015
Operating revenue	$	149,316		$	182,533
Less: Fuel surcharge revenue	15,229			21,800
Operating revenue, excluding fuel surcharge revenue	134,087			160,733
Operating expenses	129,403			157,672
Less: Fuel surcharge revenue	15,229			21,800
Adjusted operating expenses	114,174			135,872
Operating income	$	19,913		$	24,861
Operating ratio	86.7		%	86.4		%
Adjusted operating ratio (a)	85.1		%	84.5		%

	Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2016			2015
Operating revenue	$	472,893		$	561,739
Less: Fuel surcharge revenue	43,664			73,609
Operating revenue, excluding fuel surcharge revenue	429,229			488,130
Operating expenses	408,223			472,878
Less: Fuel surcharge revenue	43,664			73,609
Adjusted operating expenses	364,559			399,269
Operating income	64,670			88,861
Operating ratio	86.3		%	84.2		%
Adjusted operating ratio (a)	84.9		%	81.8		%

(a) Adjusted operating ratio as reported in this Form 10-Q is based upon total operating expenses, net of fuel surcharge revenue, as a percentage of operating revenue excluding fuel surcharge revenue. We feel that this measure is more representative of our underlying operations by excluding the volatility of fuel prices which we cannot control.

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Results of Operations

The following table sets forth the percentage relationships of expense items to total operating revenue for the periods indicated:

	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine months ended September 30,
	2016		2015		2016		2015
Operating revenue	100.0	%	100.0	%	100.0	%	100.0	%
Operating expenses:
Salaries, wages, and benefits	39.1	%	37.8	%	39.2	%	37.5	%
Rent and purchased transportation	3.7	%	4.5	%	3.9	%	4.8	%
Fuel	15.4	%	16.1	%	14.5	%	17.4	%
Operations and maintenance	4.3	%	5.0	%	4.2	%	4.6	%
Operating taxes and licenses	2.6	%	2.5	%	2.5	%	2.4	%
Insurance and claims	3.0	%	4.0	%	3.7	%	3.1	%
Communications and utilities	0.8	%	0.9	%	0.7	%	0.8	%
Depreciation and amortization	18.3	%	15.6	%	16.7	%	14.5	%
Other operating expenses	0.6	%	4.0	%	2.5	%	3.9	%
Gain on disposal of property and equipment	(1.0	)%	(4.1	)%	(1.5	)%	(4.9	)%
	86.7	%	86.4	%	86.3	%	84.2	%
Operating income	13.3	%	13.6	%	13.7	%	15.8	%
Interest income	0.08	%	0.04	%	0.07	%	0.03	%
Interest expense	—	%	—	%	—	%	—	%
Income before income taxes	13.4	%	13.7	%	13.7	%	15.8	%
Income taxes	5.0	%	5.4	%	4.6	%	5.9	%
Net income	8.4	%	8.3	%	9.2	%	10.0	%

Three Months Ended September 30, 2016 Compared With the Three Months Ended September 30, 2015

Operating revenue decreased$33.2 million (18.2%), to $149.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016 from $182.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2015.  The decrease in revenue was the result of a $6.6 million (30.1%) decrease in fuel surcharge revenue from $21.8 million in 2015 to $15.2 million in 2016 and a decrease in trucking and other revenues of $26.6 million (16.6%). Operating revenues (the total of trucking and fuel surcharge revenue) are primarily earned based on loaded miles driven in providing truckload transportation services. The number of loaded miles is affected by general freight supply and demand trends and the number of revenue earning equipment vehicles (tractors). The number of revenue earning equipment vehicles (tractors) is directly affected by the number of available company drivers and independent contractors providing capacity to us. Our operating revenues are reviewed regularly on a combined basis across the United States due to the similar nature of our service offerings and related similar base pricing structure. The net trucking revenue decrease was the result of a decrease in loaded miles due to a decrease in drivers and slowing freight demand in the 2016 period compared to the 2015 period, slightly offset by an increase in the rate per loaded mile compared to the three months ended September 30, 2015.

Fuel surcharge revenues represent fuel costs passed on to customers based on customer specific fuel surcharge recovery rates and billed loaded miles. Fuel surcharge revenues decreased primarily as a result of a 9.5%decrease in the average Department of Energy ("DOE") diesel fuel prices during the three months ended September 30, 2016 compared to September 30, 2015, as reported by the DOE, along with a decrease in loaded miles.

Salaries, wages, and benefits decreased$10.6 million (15.4%), to $58.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016 from $69.0 million in the 2015 period.  Salaries, wages and benefits decreased period over period due to decreases in driver and non-driver wages and lower health insurance and workers compensation costs as compared to the same period in 2015. Reduction in expense period over period is due mainly to less miles driven and lower overall non-driving headcount.

Rent and purchased transportation decreased$2.7 million (33.4%), to $5.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016 from $8.2 million in the comparable period of 2015.  The decrease was attributable to amounts paid for operating leases of terminal

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locations and revenue equipment (decreased $1.5 million), amounts paid to independent contractors (decreased $1.0 million), and amounts paid to third party carriers on brokered loads (decreased $0.3 million). The decrease in amounts paid were due to a reduction in leased revenue equipment units, a decrease in miles driven by independent contractors, and a decrease in loads brokered with third party carriers during the 2016 period as compared to 2015. During the three months ended September 30, 2016, independent contractors accounted for 2.3% of the total fleet miles compared to approximately 3.0% for the same period of 2015.

Fuel decreased$6.4 million (21.9%), to $23.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016 from $29.4 million for the same period of 2015. The decrease was primarily the result of a (9.5%) decrease in the average diesel price per gallon as reported by the DOE and lower miles driven. Fuel cost per mile, net of fuel surcharge revenues, increased16.5% in the 2016 period compared to the same period of 2015, due mainly to fuel surcharge revenues declining at an increased rate (30.1%), as compared to the decline in overall fuel cost.

Depreciation decreased$1.1 million (4.0%), to $27.3 million during the three months ended September 30, 2016 from $28.4 million in the same period of 2015.  The decrease is mainly attributable to a decrease in the number of units being depreciated, partially offset by higher average depreciation expense per revenue equipment unit. Tractor depreciation decreased $0.8 million, on a 5.9% decrease in the number of tractor units depreciated, partially offset by 2.0% higher depreciation recognized per unit during the three months ended September 30, 2016 compared to the 2015 period. Compared to the same period in 2015, trailer and other depreciation decreased $0.5 million on an 9.1% decrease in the number of trailer units depreciated during the three months ended September 30, 2016, partially offset by 4.4% higher depreciation recognized per unit.

Operating and maintenance expense decreased$2.8 million (30.6%), to $6.4 million during the three months ended September 30, 2016 from $9.2 million in the same period of 2015. The decrease is mainly due to a decrease in the number of revenue equipment units in the fleet, a decrease in miles driven, and the age of our fleet of revenue equipment.

Operating taxes and licenses expense decreased$0.6 million (13.5%), to $3.9 million during the three months ended September 30, 2016 from $4.5 million in 2015, due to a decrease in the number of revenue equipment units (tractors and trailers) being licensed and reduced fuel taxes due to less miles driven. Insurance and claims expense decreased$2.8 million (38.5%), to $4.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016 from $7.4 million in 2015, due to decreased severity and frequency of claims. Other operating expenses decreased $6.4 million (88.6%), to $0.8 million, during the three months ended September 30, 2016 from $7.2 million in 2015, as a result of a reduction in the potential earn-out liability due to the 2016 operating environment and the likelihood of future payments ($4.0 million), and a reduction in other variable operating costs related to a decrease in loaded miles driven ($2.4 million).

Gains on the disposal of property and equipment decreased$5.9 million (80.1%), to $1.5 million during the three months ended September 30, 2016 from $7.4 million in the same period of 2015.  The decrease resulted from a decrease in gains on sales of trailer equipment of $5.5 million and a decrease in gains on sale of tractor and other equipment of $0.4 million. The decrease in gains on trailer and tractor sales was mainly due to selling fewer units and lower trailer gains per unit sold due to age of equipment sold. The decrease in gains on trailer sales was due to a 60% decrease in the number of units sold along with a gain per unit decrease of 97%. The decrease in gains on tractor sales was due to the net effect of a 66% decrease in the number of units sold partially offset by a 106% increase in gain per unit. We currently anticipate tractor and trailer equipment sale activity during 2016 to generate total estimated gains of approximately $8.0 to $9.0 million.

Our effective tax rate declined to 37.5% from 39.4% for the three months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively.  The decrease in the effective tax rate for 2016 is primarily attributable to the favorable impact of the reversal of previously recorded accruals for penalties and interest related to uncertain tax positions where the applicable statute of limitations have now lapsed.

As a result of the foregoing, our operating ratio (operating expenses as a percentage of operating revenue) was 86.7% during the three months ended September 30, 2016, compared to 86.4% during the three months ended September 30, 2015.  Our non-GAAP adjusted operating ratio⁽¹⁾ (operating expenses as a percentage of operating revenues, net of fuel surcharge) was 85.1% during the three months ended September 30, 2016, compared to 84.5% during the three months ended September 30, 2015. Net income decreased$2.6 million (17.1%), to $12.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016, from $15.1 million during the same period in 2015 as a result of the net effects discussed above.

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Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016 Compared With the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015

Operating revenue decreased$88.8 million (15.8%), to $472.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 from $561.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015.  The decrease in revenue was the result of a $29.9 million (40.7%) decrease in fuel surcharge revenue from $73.6 million in 2015 to $43.7 million in 2016 and a decrease in trucking and other revenues of $58.9 million (12.1%). Operating revenues (the total of trucking and fuel surcharge revenue) are primarily earned based on loaded miles driven in providing truckload transportation services. The number of loaded miles is affected by general freight supply and demand trends and the number of revenue earning equipment vehicles (tractors). The number of revenue earning equipment vehicles (tractors) is directly affected by the number of available company drivers and independent contractors providing capacity to us. Our operating revenues are reviewed regularly on a combined basis across the United States due to the similar nature of our service offerings and related similar base pricing structure. The net trucking revenue decrease was the result of a decrease in loaded miles due to a decrease in drivers and slowing freight demand in the 2016 period compared to the 2015 period, partially offset by an increase in the rate per loaded mile compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2016.

Fuel surcharge revenues represent fuel costs passed on to customers based on customer specific fuel surcharge recovery rates and billed loaded miles. Fuel surcharge revenues decreased primarily as a result of a 19.2%decrease in the average Department of Energy ("DOE") diesel fuel prices during the nine months ended September 30, 2016 compared to September 30, 2015, as reported by the DOE, along with decreased loaded miles during the same period.

Salaries, wages, and benefits decreased$25.6 million (12.1%), to $185.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 from $210.9 million in the 2015 period.  Salaries, wages and benefits decreased period over period due mainly to decreases in driver and non-driver wages and lower health insurance and workers compensation costs as compared to the same period in 2015. Reduction in expense period over period is due mainly to less miles driven and lower overall non-driving headcount.

Rent and purchased transportation decreased$8.4 million (31.5%), to $18.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 from $26.8 million in the comparable period of 2015.  The decrease was attributable to amounts paid to third party carriers on brokered loads (decreased $1.3 million), amounts paid for operating leases of terminal locations and revenue equipment (decreased $3.5 million), and amounts paid to independent contractors (decreased $3.6 million). The decrease in amounts paid were due to a decrease in loads brokered with third party carriers, a decrease in miles driven by independent contractors, and a reduction in leased revenue equipment units during the 2016 period as compared to 2015. During the nine months ended September 30, 2016, independent contractors accounted for 2.4% of the total fleet miles compared to 3.2% during the comparable period of 2015.

Fuel decreased$29.3 million (29.9%), to $68.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 from $97.9 million for the same period of 2015. The decrease was primarily the result of a 19.2% decrease in the average diesel price per gallon as reported by the DOE and lower miles driven. Fuel cost, net of fuel surcharge revenues, decreased3.3% in the 2016 period compared to the same period of 2015, due mainly to fuel surcharge revenues declining at an increased rate (40.7%), as compared to the decline in overall fuel cost.

Depreciation and amortization decreased$2.5 million (3.0%), to $78.8 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2016 from $81.3 million in the same period of 2015.  The decrease is mainly attributable to a decrease in the number of units being depreciated, partially offset by higher average depreciation expense per revenue equipment unit. Tractor depreciation decreased $1.4 million, on a 7.8% decrease in the number of tractor units depreciated, partially offset by 5.7% higher depreciation recognized per unit during the nine months ended September 30, 2016 compared to the 2015 period. Compared to the same period in 2015, trailer and other depreciation decreased $1.4 million on a 13.8% decrease in the number of trailer units depreciated during the nine months ended September 30, 2016, partially offset by 10.0% higher depreciation recognized per unit.

Operating and maintenance expense decreased$5.7 million (22.3%), to $20.0 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2016 from $25.7 million in the same period of 2015. The decrease is mainly due to a decrease in the number of revenue equipment units in the fleet, a decrease in miles driven, and the age of our fleet of revenue equipment.

Operating taxes and licenses expense decreased $2.0 million (14.4%), to $11.7 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2016 from $13.7 million in 2015, due to a decrease in the number of revenue equipment units (tractors and trailers) being licensed and reduced fuel taxes due to less miles driven. Insurance and claims expense was consistent during the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015. Other operating expenses decreased $10.0 million (46.2%), to $11.7 million, during the nine months ended September 30, 2016 from $21.7 million in 2015, as a result of a reduction in the potential earn-out liability due to the 2016 operating environment and the likelihood of future payments offset by employment related liabilities ($5.5 million), and a reduction in other variable operating costs due to a decrease in miles driven as well as administrative cost reductions ($4.5 million).

21

Gains on the disposal of property and equipment decreased$20.0 million (73.3%), to $7.3 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2016 from $27.3 million in the same period of 2015.  The decrease resulted from a decrease in gains on sales of trailer equipment of $17.6 million, a decrease in gains on sale of other property of $1.3 million, and a decrease in gains on tractor equipment sales of $1.1 million. The decrease in gains on trailer sales was the net effect of selling 73% less trailers during 2016, at 80% lower gains per unit. The decrease in gains on tractor sales was due to a 54% decrease in the number of units sold offset partially by a gain per unit increase of 83%. We currently anticipate tractor and trailer equipment sale activity during 2016 to generate total estimated gains of approximately $8.0 to $9.0 million.

The Company’s effective tax rate was 33.4% and 37.0% for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively.  The decrease in the effective tax rate for 2016 is primarily attributable to the favorable impact of the reversal of previously recorded accruals for penalties and interest related to uncertain tax positions where the applicable statute of limitations have now lapsed.

As a result of the foregoing, our operating ratio (operating expenses as a percentage of operating revenue) was 86.3% during the nine months ended September 30, 2016, compared to 84.2% during the nine months ended September 30, 2015.  Our non-GAAP adjusted operating ratio⁽¹⁾ (operating expenses as a percentage of operating revenues, net of fuel surcharge) was 84.9% during the nine months ended September 30, 2016, compared to 81.8% during the nine months ended September 30, 2015. Net income decreased$12.8 million (22.8%), to $43.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016, from $56.0 million during the same period in 2015 as a result of the net effects discussed above.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

The growth of our business requires significant investments in new revenue equipment.  Historically, we have been debt-free, funding revenue equipment purchases with cash flow provided by operating activities and sales of equipment. Our primary source of liquidity has been cash flow provided by operating activities. Our primary source of liquidity during 2016 remains cash flow generated from operating activities, although we maintain our line of credit to provide assistance with additional cash requirements to fund capital expenditures. During the nine months ended September 30, 2016, we were able to fund revenue equipment purchases with cash flows provided by operating activities and sales of equipment. We currently have no outstanding borrowings on our line of credit.

On November 11, 2013, we entered into a Credit Agreement with Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, (the “Bank”). Pursuant to the Credit Agreement, the Bank provided a five-year, $250.0 million unsecured revolving line of credit which may be used for working capital, equipment financing, and general corporate purposes. The Bank's commitment decreased to $200.0 million on November 1, 2015, and decreased to $175.0 million for the period November 1, 2016 through October 31, 2018.

The Credit Agreement is unsecured, with a negative pledge against all assets of our consolidated group, except for debt associated with permitted acquisitions, new purchase-money debt and capital lease obligations as described in the Credit Agreement. The Credit Agreement matures on October 31, 2018, subject to the ability of Heartland Express, Inc. of Iowa (the “Borrower”) to terminate the commitment at any time at no additional cost to the Borrower. Borrowings under the Credit Agreement can either be, at the Borrower's election, (i) one-month or three-month LIBOR (Index) plus 0.625%, floating, or (ii) Prime (Index) plus 0%, floating. There is a commitment fee on the unused portion of the line of credit under the Credit Agreement at 0.0625%, due monthly.

The Credit Agreement contains customary financial covenants including, but not limited to, (i) a maximum adjusted leverage ratio of 2:1, measured quarterly, (ii) required minimum net income of $1.00, measured quarterly, (iii) required minimum tangible net worth of $200 million, measured quarterly, and (iv) limitations on other indebtedness and liens. The Credit Agreement also includes customary events of default, conditions, representations and warranties, and indemnification provisions. We were in compliance with the respective financial covenants at September 30, 2016.

Operating cash flow during the nine months ended September 30, 2016 was $120.2 million compared to $142.9 million during the same period of 2015.  This was primarily a result of net income (excluding non-cash depreciation and amortization, changes in deferred taxes, and gains on disposal of equipment) being approximately $2.6 million lower during 2016 compared to 2015 offset by an increase in cash flow generated by operating assets and liabilities of approximately $25.3 million.  The net decrease in cash provided by operating assets and liabilities for 2016 compared to the same period of 2015 was primarily attributable to the timing of income tax payments and the associated net income tax payable position comparing the two periods. Cash flow from operating activities was 25.4% of operating revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 compared with 25.4% for the same period of 2015.

22

Cash flows used by investing activities was $33.5 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2016 compared to cash flows used in investing activities of $33.6 million during the comparative 2015 period or an increase in cash of $0.1 million. The slight decrease in cash used for investing activities was primarily the net result of a decrease in proceeds from sale of property and equipment, net of trades, with an increase in equipment purchases, $10.1 million, change in other assets of $1.5 million, offset by the change in designated funds for equipment purchases of $11.7 million. We currently estimate a total of approximately $30 to $35 million in net capital expenditures for the calendar year 2016.

Cash used in financing activities decreased $42.8 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2016 compared to the same period of 2015 due mainly to $16.2 million less cash used for repurchases of common stock and $24.6 million less cash used for repayments of borrowings on the Credit Agreement during 2015. There were no borrowings on the Credit Agreement during the nine months ended September 30, 2016.

In 2001, our Board of Directors authorized a program to repurchase 15.4 million shares, adjusted for stock splits, of our common stock in open market or negotiated transactions using available cash, cash equivalents and investments which was subsequently amended in February 2012. Upon completing prior authorizations, the Board approved new authorizations of $4.8 million shares in November, 2015. Approximately 3.3 million shares remained authorized for repurchase under the program as of September 30, 2016 and the program has no expiration date. There were 0.9 million shares repurchased in the open market during the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 1.8 million shares were repurchased during the nine months ended September 30, 2015. Shares repurchased were accounted for as treasury stock. The specific timing and amount of repurchases will be determined by market conditions, cash flow requirements, securities law limitations, and other factors. Repurchases are expected to continue from time to time, as conditions permit, until the number of shares authorized to be repurchased have been bought, or until the authorization to repurchase is terminated, whichever occurs first. The share repurchase authorization is discretionary and has no expiration date. The repurchase program may be suspended, modified, or discontinued at any time without prior notice.

We paid income taxes, net of refunds, of $29.8 million and $24.6 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and September 30, 2015. The increase was mainly attributable to the amount of current tax receivable at the end of 2014 which lowered estimated payments in 2015. Management believes we have adequate liquidity to meet our current and projected needs in the foreseeable future.  Management believes we will continue to have significant capital requirements over the long-term, which we expect to fund with cash flows provided by operating activities, proceeds from the sale of used equipment and available capacity on the Credit Agreement.  At September 30, 2016, the Company had $100.3 million in cash and cash equivalents and $194.5 million available borrowing capacity on the Credit Agreement.

Off-Balance Sheet Transactions

Our liquidity or financial condition is not materially affected by off-balance sheet transactions. We are a party to certain operating leases to finance a portion of our revenue equipment requirements and terminal facilities. Operating lease expense during the nine months ended September 30, 2016 was $2.5 million.

Risk Factors

You should refer to Item 1A of our Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 2015, under the caption “Risk Factors” for specific details on the following factors that are not within the control of the Company and could affect our financial results.

• Our business is subject to general economic and business factors affecting the trucking industry that are largely out of our control, any of which could have a materially adverse effect on our operating results.

• Our growth may not continue at historical rates, if at all, and any decrease in revenues or profits may impair our ability to implement our business strategy, which could have a materially adverse effect on our results of operations.

• We are highly dependent on a few major customers, the loss of one or more of which could have a materially adverse effect on our business.

• Indebtedness under our Credit Agreement could have adverse consequences on our future operations.

• We have significant ongoing capital requirements that could affect our profitability if we are unable to generate sufficient cash from operations and obtain financing on favorable terms.

• Increased prices, reduced productivity, and restricted availability of new revenue equipment and decreased demand and value of used equipment may adversely affect our earnings and cash flows.

• If diesel fuel prices increase significantly, our results of operations could be adversely affected.

• Difficulty in attracting and retaining drivers, including independent contractors, may have a materially adverse effect on our business.

• If our independent contractors are deemed by regulators or judicial process to be employees, our business and results of operations could be adversely affected.

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• We operate in a highly regulated industry, and increased costs of compliance with, or liability for violation of, existing or future regulations could have a materially adverse effect on our business.

• Safety-related evaluations and rankings under Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA) could adversely affect our profitability and operations, our ability to maintain or grow our fleet, and our customer relationships.

• Our operations are subject to various environmental laws and regulations, the violations of which could result in substantial fines or penalties.

• We are exposed to risks related to our acquisition of Gordon Trucking, Inc. ("GTI") and we may not be able to achieve the benefits we expected at the time of the acquisition. Any failure to implement our business strategy with respect to the GTI acquisition could negatively impact our business, financial condition and results of operations.

• We may not make acquisitions in the future, or if we do, we may not be successful in integrating the acquired company, either of which could have a materially adverse effect on our business.

• If we are unable to retain our key employees or find, develop, and retain terminal managers, our business, financial condition, and results of operations could be adversely affected.

• Seasonality and the impact of weather affect our operations profitability.

• We self-insure for a significant portion of our claims exposure, which could significantly increase the volatility of, and decrease the amount of, our earnings.

• We are dependent on computer and communications systems, and a systems failure could cause a significant disruption to our business.

• Concentrated ownership of our stock can influence shareholder decisions, may discourage a change in control, and may have an adverse effect on the share price of our stock.

• Efforts by labor unions could divert management's attention and could have a materially adverse effect on our operating results.

ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

General

We are exposed to market risk changes in interest rates on our long-term debt and from changes in commodity prices, primarily fuel and rubber. We do not currently use derivative financial instruments for risk management purposes, although we have used instruments in the past for fuel price risk management, and do not use them for either speculation or trading. Because the majority of our operations are confined to the United States, we are not subject to a material foreign currency risk.

Interest Rate Risk

We had no debt outstanding at September 30, 2016 although we had $194.5 million in available borrowings on our Credit Agreement. Borrowings under the Credit Agreement can either be, at our election, (i) one-month or three-month LIBOR (Index) plus 0.625%, floating, or (ii) Prime (Index) plus 0.0%, floating. The current borrowing rate available on the Credit Agreement was 1.152%. Increases in interest rates could impact our interest expense on future borrowings.

Commodity Price Risk

We are subject to commodity price risk primarily with respect to purchases of fuel and rubber. We have fuel surcharge agreements with most customers that enable us to pass through most long-term price increases therefore limiting our exposure to commodity price risk. Fuel surcharges that can be collected do not always fully offset an increase in the cost of fuel as we are not able to pass through fuel costs associated with out-of-route miles, empty miles, and tractor idle time. Based on our actual fuel purchases for 2015, assuming miles driven, fuel surcharges as a percentage of revenue, percentage of unproductive miles, and miles per gallon remained consistent with 2015 amounts, a $1.00 increase in the average price of fuel, year over year, would decrease our income before income taxes by approximately $7.8 million. We use a significant amount of tires to maintain our revenue equipment. We are not able to pass through 100% of price increases from tire suppliers due to the severity and timing of increases and current rate environment. Historically, we have sought to minimize tire price increases through bulk tire purchases from our suppliers. Based on our expected tire purchases for 2016, a 10% increase in the price of tires would increase our tire purchase expense by $1.4 million, resulting in a corresponding decrease in income before income taxes.

ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures– We have established disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act) to ensure that material information relating to us, including our consolidated

24

subsidiaries, is made known to the officers who certify our financial reports and to other members of senior management and the Board of Directors.

As of the end of the period covered by this report, we carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including the Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer) and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Accounting and Financial Officer), of the effectiveness of the design and operations of our disclosure controls and procedures, as defined in Exchange Act Rule 15d-15(e). Based upon that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective in enabling us to record, process, summarize and report information required to be included in our periodic SEC filings within the required time period.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting – There have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the quarter ended September 30, 2016, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

25

PART II

We are a party to ordinary, routine litigation and administrative proceedings incidental to our business. These proceedings primarily involve claims for personal injury, property damage, cargo, and workers’ compensation incurred in connection with the transportation of freight.  We maintain insurance to cover liabilities arising from the transportation of freight for amounts in excess of certain self-insured retentions.

None.

None.

Not applicable.

None.

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(a) Exhibits

3.1	Articles of Incorporation. Incorporated by reference to the Company's registration statement on Form S-1, Registration No. 33-8165, effective November 5, 1986.
3.2	Amended and Restated Bylaws. Incorporated by reference to the Company's Form 10-K, for the year ended December 31, 2007, dated February 28, 2008
3.3	Certificate of Amendment to Articles of Incorporation. Incorporated by reference to the Company's Form 10-QA, for the quarter ended June 30, 1997, dated March 20, 1998.
4.1	Articles of Incorporation. Incorporated by reference to the Company's registration statement on Form S-1, Registration No. 33-8165, effective November 5, 1986.
4.2	Amended and Restated Bylaws. Incorporated by reference to the Company's Form 10-K, for the year ended December 31, 2007, dated February 28, 2008.
4.3	Certificate of Amendment to Articles of Incorporation. Incorporated by reference to the Company's Form 10-QA, for the quarter ended June 30, 1997, dated March 20, 1998.
31.1*	Certification of Principal Executive Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) and Rule 15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act, as amended.
31.2*	Certification of Principal Financial Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) and Rule 15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act, as amended.
32.1*	Certification of Principal Executive Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.2*	Certification of the Principal Financial Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
101.INS**	XBRL Instance Document.
101.SCH**	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
101.CAL**	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
101.DEF**	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
101.LAB**	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
101.PRE**	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document

*Filed with the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2016, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 9, 2016.

** In accordance with Regulation S-T, the XBRL-related information in Exhibit 101 shall be deemed to be "furnished" and not "filed."

(b) Reports on Form 8-K

None.

No other information is required to be filed under Part II of the form.

27

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Sections 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused the report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

		HEARTLAND EXPRESS, INC.
Date:	November 9, 2016	By: /s/ John P. Cosaert
		John P. Cosaert
		Executive Vice President of Finance
		and Chief Financial Officer
		(Principal Accounting and Financial Officer)

28

EX-31.1

Exhibit No. 31.1

Certification

I, Michael J. Gerdin, certify that:

1.	I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Heartland Express Inc. (the “Registrant”);
2.	Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this quarterly report;
3.	Based on my knowledge, the financial statements and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the Registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this quarterly report;
4.	The Registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the Registrant and we have:
	a)	Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the Registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this quarterly report is being prepared;
	b)	Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
	c)	Evaluated the effectiveness of the Registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this quarterly report based on such evaluation; and
	d)	Disclosed in this quarterly report any change in the Registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the Registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the Registrant's fourth fiscal quarter in case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and
5.	The Registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the Registrant’s independent registered public accounting firm and the audit committee of Registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
	a)	All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the Registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
	b)	Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the Registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Date:	November 9, 2016	By:	/s/ Michael J. Gerdin
			Michael J. Gerdin
			Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer
			(Principal Executive Officer)

EX-31.2

Exhibit No. 31.2

Certification

I, John P. Cosaert, certify that:

1.	I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Heartland Express Inc. (the “Registrant”);
2.	Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this quarterly report;
3.	Based on my knowledge, the financial statements and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the Registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this quarterly report;
4.	The Registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the Registrant and we have:
	a)	Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the Registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this quarterly report is being prepared;
	b)	Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
	c)	Evaluated the effectiveness of the Registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this quarterly report based on such evaluation; and
	d)	Disclosed in this quarterly report any change in the Registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the Registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the Registrant's fourth fiscal quarter in case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and
5.	The Registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the Registrant’s independent registered public accounting firm and the audit committee of Registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
	a)	All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the Registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
	b)	Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the Registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Date:	November 9, 2016	By:	/s/ John P. Cosaert
			John P. Cosaert
			Executive Vice President-Finance
			Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer
			(Principal Accounting and Financial Officer)

EX-32.1

Exhibit No. 32.1

CERTIFICATION OF

PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICER

PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,

AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO

SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

In connection with the Quarterly Report of Heartland Express, Inc. (the "Company"), on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2016 (the "Report"), filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, I, Michael J. Gerdin, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that to the best of my knowledge:
1.	The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and
2.	The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

Date:	November 9, 2016	By:	/s/ Michael J. Gerdin
			Michael J. Gerdin
			Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer

EX-32.2

Exhibit No. 32.2

CERTIFICATION OF

PRINCIPAL FINANCIAL OFFICER

PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,

AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO

SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

In connection with the Quarterly Report of Heartland Express, Inc. (the "Company"), on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2016 (the "Report"), filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, I, John P. Cosaert, Executive Vice President, Treasurer-Finance and Chief Financial Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that to the best of my knowledge:
1.	The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and
2.	The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

Date:	November 9, 2016	By:	/s/ John P. Cosaert
			John P. Cosaert
			Executive Vice President-Finance, Treasurer
			and Chief Financial Officer

XML

Document and Entity Information - shares	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Nov. 07, 2016
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Registrant Name	HEARTLAND EXPRESS INC
Entity Central Index Key	0000799233
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2016
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2016
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		83,286,391

XML

Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
CURRENT ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 100,264	$ 33,232
Trade receivables, net	51,704	61,009
Prepaid tires	8,747	9,584
Other current assets	9,395	8,316
Income tax receivable	6,555	7,641
Deferred income taxes, net	0	16,662
Total current assets	176,665	136,444
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT
Land and land improvements	39,258	37,899
Buildings	48,372	47,837
Leasehold improvements	1,703	1,703
Furniture and fixtures	2,096	2,096
Shop and service equipment	10,918	10,917
Revenue equipment	577,393	571,281
Construction in progress	3	213
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	679,743	671,946
Less accumulated depreciation	242,987	197,948
Property and equipment, net	436,756	473,998
GOODWILL	100,212	100,212
OTHER INTANGIBLES, NET	12,570	14,013
Deferred Income Tax Assets, Net	4,156	0
OTHER ASSETS	11,353	11,363
Assets	741,712	736,030
CURRENT LIABILITIES
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	16,755	7,516
Compensation and benefits	23,748	24,636
Insurance accruals	22,494	21,573
Other accruals	13,747	12,443
Total current liabilities	76,744	66,168
LONG-TERM LIABILITIES
Income taxes payable	12,668	16,228
Deferred income taxes, net	93,933	112,118
Insurance accruals less current portion	60,104	59,435
Other long-term liabilities	4,000	12,153
Total long-term liabilities	170,705	199,934
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Note 14)
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Preferred stock, par value $.01; authorized 5,000 shares; none issued	0	0
Capital stock, common, $.01 par value; authorized 395,000 shares; issued 90,689 in 2016 and 2015; outstanding 83,287 in 2016 and 84,115 in 2015, respectively	907	907
Additional paid-in capital	3,323	4,126
Retained earnings	614,221	575,948
Treasury stock, at cost; 7,402 shares in 2016 and 6,574 in 2015, respectively	(124,188)	(111,053)
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent	494,263	469,928
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity	$ 741,712	$ 736,030

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Consolidated Balance Sheets Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parentheticals) - $ / shares shares in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Consolidated Balance Sheets Parentheticals [Abstract]
Preferred Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Preferred Stock, Shares Authorized	5,000	5,000
Preferred Stock, Shares Issued	0	0
Common Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common Stock, Shares Authorized	395,000	395,000
Common Stock, Shares, Issued	90,689	90,689
Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding	83,287	84,115
Treasury Stock, Shares	7,402	6,574

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Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Income Statement [Abstract]
Operating Revenue	$ 149,316	$ 182,533	$ 472,893	$ 561,739
Operating Expenses
Salaries, wages, and benefits	58,351	68,987	185,342	210,886
Rent and purchased transportation	5,472	8,238	18,353	26,775
Fuel	22,987	29,414	68,575	97,866
Operations and maintenance	6,391	9,213	19,999	25,725
Operating taxes and licenses	3,889	4,498	11,722	13,690
Insurance and claims	4,536	7,379	17,607	17,491
Communications and utilities	1,156	1,699	3,420	4,695
Depreciation and amortization	27,271	28,415	78,823	81,266
Other operating expenses	824	7,230	11,655	21,734
Gain on disposal of property and equipment	(1,474)	(7,401)	(7,273)	(27,250)
Total operating expenses	129,403	157,672	408,223	472,878
Operating income	19,913	24,861	64,670	88,861
Interest income	124	64	308	156
Interest expense	0	0	0	(19)
Income before income taxes	20,037	24,925	64,978	88,998
Federal and state income taxes	7,510	9,812	21,706	32,957
Net income	12,527	15,113	43,272	56,041
Other comprehensive income, net of tax	0	0	0	0
Comprehensive income	$ 12,527	$ 15,113	$ 43,272	$ 56,041
Net income per share
Basic	$ 0.15	$ 0.17	$ 0.52	$ 0.64
Diluted	$ 0.15	$ 0.17	$ 0.52	$ 0.64
Weighted average shares outstanding
Basic	83,286	87,387	83,301	87,663
Diluted	83,342	87,492	83,373	87,806
Dividends declared per share	$ 0.02	$ 0.02	$ 0.06	$ 0.06

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Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity - 9 months ended Sep. 30, 2016 - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Total	Capital Stock, Common	Additional Paid-in Capital	Retained Earnings	Treasury Stock
Balance at Dec. 31, 2015	$ 469,928	$ 907	$ 4,126	$ 575,948	$ (111,053)
Net income	43,272	0	0	43,272	0
Dividends on common stock, $0.06 per share	(4,999)	0	0	(4,999)	0
Repurchases of common stock	(14,678)	0	0	0	(14,678)
Stock-based compensation, net of tax	740	0	(803)	0	1,543
Balance at Sep. 30, 2016	$ 494,263	$ 907	$ 3,323	$ 614,221	$ (124,188)

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Consolidated Statement of Stockholders' Equity Parentheticals - $ / shares	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Dividends declared per share	$ 0.02	$ 0.02	$ 0.06	$ 0.06

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Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income	$ 43,272	$ 56,041
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	78,823	82,053
Deferred income taxes	(5,679)	(4,569)
Amortization of stock-based compensation, net of tax	740	1,042
Gain on disposal of property and equipment	(7,273)	(27,250)
Changes in certain working capital items:
Trade receivables	9,305	12,515
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	2,191	3,337
Accounts payable, accrued liabilities, and accrued expenses	1,291	7,001
Accrued income taxes	(2,474)	12,777
Net cash provided by operating activities	120,196	142,947
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment	37,306	89,073
Purchases of property and equipment, net of trades	(69,979)	(111,688)
Change in designated funds for equipment purchases	(824)	(12,488)
Change in other assets	10	1,495
Net cash used in investing activities	(33,487)	(33,608)
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Payments of Ordinary Dividends, Common Stock	(4,999)	(5,254)
Contingent consideration related to acquisition	0	(1,765)
Repayments on line of credit	0	(24,600)
Repurchases of common stock	(14,678)	(30,858)
Net cash used in financing activities	(19,677)	(62,477)
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	67,032	46,862
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
Beginning of period	33,232	17,303
End of period	100,264	64,165
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION
Interest paid	0	40
Cash paid during the period for income taxes, net of refunds	29,779	24,562
Noncash investing and financing activities:
Purchased property and equipment in accounts payable	2,527	10,956
Sold property and equipment in other current assets	1,803	12,488
Treasury stock acquired in accounts payable	$ 0	$ 4,911

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Basis of Presentation

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2016

Basis of Presentation [Abstract]

Basis of Presentation

Basis of Presentation and New Accounting Pronouncements

Heartland Express, Inc., (the “Company,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) is a holding company incorporated in Nevada, which owns all of the stock of Heartland Express Inc. of Iowa, Heartland Express Services, Inc., Heartland Express Maintenance Services, Inc., and A & M Express, Inc. Gordon Trucking, Inc. ("GTI") was merged into Heartland Express Inc. of Iowa effective July 1, 2016. We, and our subsidiaries, operate as one segment. We, together with our subsidiaries, are a short-to-medium haul truckload carrier (predominately 500 miles or less per load) with corporate headquarters in North Liberty, Iowa. We primarily provide nationwide asset-based dry van truckload service for major shippers from Washington to Florida and New England to California.

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the parent company, Heartland Express, Inc., and its subsidiaries, all of which are wholly owned.  All material intercompany items and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements of the Company have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and notes to the financial statements required by U.S. generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all normal, recurring adjustments considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. The consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes for the year ended December 31, 2015 included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K of the Company filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 29, 2016. Interim results of operations are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year or any other interim periods. There were no changes to the Company's significant accounting policies during the nine month period ended September 30, 2016, except as noted below in regards to the balance sheet classification of deferred taxes.

In August 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Boards (FASB) issued ASU 2016-15, “Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments,” which addresses eight specific cash flow issues with the objective of reducing the existing diversity in practice. The provisions of this update are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017. Based on our initial assessment, we believe the impact of adoption of the standard will not have a material impact on our consolidated cash flows.

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, "Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments". This update requires measurement and recognition of expected versus incurred credit losses for financial assets held. ASU 2016-13 is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2019, and interim periods therein. Based on our initial assessment, we believe the impact of adoption of the standard will not have a material impact on our financial statements.

In March, 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-09, "Compensation-Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting". This update seeks to simplify several aspects of the accounting for share-based payment transactions, including the income tax consequences, classification of awards as either equity or liabilities and classification on the statement of cash flows. This update becomes effective for the Company beginning January 1, 2017 with early adoption permitted. Based on our initial assessment, we believe the impact of adoption of the standard will not have a material impact on our financial statements.

In February, 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, "Leases". This update seeks to increase the transparency and comparability among entities by requiring public entities to recognize lease assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet and disclose key information about leasing arrangements. To satisfy the standard’s objective, a lessee will recognize a right-of-use asset representing its right to use the underlying asset for the lease term and a lease liability for the obligation to make lease payments. Both the right-of-use asset and lease liability will initially be measured at the present value of the lease payments, with subsequent measurement dependent on the classification of the lease as either a finance or an operating lease. For leases with a term of 12 months or less, a lessee is permitted to make an accounting policy election by class of underlying asset not to recognize lease assets and lease liabilities. If a lessee makes this election, it should recognize lease expense for such leases generally on a straight-line basis over the lease term.

In transition, lessees are required to recognize and measure leases at the beginning of the earliest period presented using a modified retrospective approach. The modified retrospective approach includes a number of optional practical expedients that companies may elect to apply. These practical expedients relate to the identification and classification of leases that commenced before the effective date, initial direct costs for leases that commenced before the effective date, and the ability to use hindsight in evaluating lessee options to extend or terminate a lease or to purchase the underlying asset. The transition guidance also provides specific guidance for sale and leaseback transactions, build-to-suit leases, leveraged leases, and amounts previously recognized in accordance with the business combinations guidance for leases. The new standard is effective for public companies for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods within those years, with early adoption permitted. Based on our initial assessment, we believe the impact of adoption of the standard will not have a material impact on our financial statements.

In November, 2015, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2015-17, "Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes". The ASU simplifies the current guidance, which requires entities to separately present deferred tax assets and liabilities as current and non-current in a classified balance sheet. The ASU will be effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within those years (with early adoption allowed). The Company adopted this guidance prospectively and classified deferred tax asset and deferred tax liability amounts, by tax jurisdiction, as non-currrent within our balance sheet beginning March 31, 2016 and for future periods. Prior periods presented have not been adjusted.

In May 2014, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers(Topic 606), which will replace numerous requirements in U.S. GAAP, including industry-specific requirements, and provide companies with a single revenue recognition model for recognizing revenue from contracts with customers. The core principle of the new standard is that a company should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The two permitted transition methods under the new standard are the full retrospective method, in which case the standard would be applied to each prior reporting period presented and the cumulative effect of applying the standard would be recognized at the earliest period shown, or the modified retrospective method, in which case the cumulative effect of applying the standard would be recognized at the date of initial application. In July 2015, the FASB approved the deferral of the new standard's effective date by one year. The new standard is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017. The FASB will permit companies to adopt the new standard early, but not before the original effective date of annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016. We have been closely monitoring FASB activity related to the new standard and are evaluating the effect that the new guidance will have on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. We have not yet selected a transition method nor have we determined the final effect of the standard on our ongoing financial reporting however, based on our initial assessment, we believe the impact of adoption of the standard will not have a material impact on our operating revenue or operating income.

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Use of Estimates

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2016

Use of Estimates [Abstract]

Use of Estimates

Use of Estimates

The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period.  Actual results could differ from those estimates. There were no significant changes in estimates and assumptions used by management related to our critical accounting policies during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, except for a change in the assumptions related to the likelihood of future payouts which reduced the potential earn-out liability recorded related to an acquisition.

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Segment Information

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2016

Segment Information [Abstract]

Segment Information

Segment Information

We provide multiple transportation services across the United States (U.S.) and parts of Canada. We offer primarily asset-based transportation services in the dry van truckload market and also offer truckload temperature-controlled transportation services and non-asset based brokerage services. None of our transportation services or geographical-based regional terminals individually meet the definition of a segment. Our Chief Operating Decision Maker oversees and manages all of our transportation services and regional terminals, on a combined basis, including the legacy transportation services of acquired entities. As a result of the foregoing, we have determined that we have one segment, consistent with the authoritative accounting guidance on disclosures about segments of an enterprise and related information.

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Cash and Cash Equivalents

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2016

Cash and Cash Equivalents [Abstract]

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash equivalents are short-term, highly liquid investments with insignificant interest rate risk and original maturities of three months or less at acquisition. At September 30, 2016, restricted and designated cash and investments totaled $12.2 million, of which $0.8 million was included in other current assets and $11.4 million was included in other non-current assets in the consolidated balance sheet. Restricted and designated cash and investments totaled $11.4 million at December 31, 2015, all of which was included in other non-current assets in the consolidated balance sheet.  The restricted funds represent deposits required by state agencies for self-insurance purposes and designated funds that are earmarked for a specific purpose and not for general business use.

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Prepaid Tires, Property, Equipment and Depreciation

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2016

Property, Plant and Depreciation [Abstract]

Property, Equipment, and Depreciation

Prepaid Tires, Property, Equipment, and Depreciation

Property and equipment are reported at cost, net of accumulated depreciation. Maintenance and repairs are charged to operations as incurred.  New tires are capitalized separately from revenue equipment and are reported separately as “Prepaid tires” in the consolidated balance sheets and amortized over two years.  Depreciation expense of $0.0 million and $0.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 and $0.0 million and $0.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively, have been included in communication and utilities in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income. Depreciation for financial statement purposes is computed by the straight-line method for all assets other than tractors.  We recognize depreciation expense on tractors using the 125% declining balance method. New tractors are depreciated to salvage values of $15,000 while new trailers are depreciated to salvage values of $4,000.

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Other Intangible, Net and Goodwill

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2016

Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]

Intangible Assets and Goodwill

Other Intangibles, Net and Goodwill

All intangible assets determined to have finite lives are amortized over their estimated useful lives. The useful life of an intangible asset is the period over which the asset is expected to contribute directly or indirectly to future cash flows. There was no change in the gross amount of identifiable intangible assets during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016. Amortization expense of $0.5 million, $1.4 million, $0.6 million, and $1.8 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively, was included in depreciation and amortization in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income. Intangible assets subject to amortization consisted of the following at September 30, 2016:

	Amortization period (years)	Gross Amount		Accumulated Amortization		Net intangible assets
		(in thousands)
Customer relationships	20	$	7,600	$	1,092	$	6,508
Tradename	6	7,400		3,544		3,856
Covenants not to compete	10	3,100		894		2,206
Real estate options	2.2	942		942		—
		$	19,042	$	6,472	$	12,570

Carrying amounts of goodwill were as follows:

	(in thousands)
Balance at December 31, 2015	$	100,212
Acquisitions	—
Balance at September 30, 2016	$	100,212

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Earnings Per Share

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2016

Earnings Per Share [Abstract]

Earnings Per Share

Earnings per Share

Basic earnings per share is based upon the weighted average common shares outstanding during each year.  Diluted earnings per share is based on the basic weighted earnings per share with additional weighted common shares for common stock equivalents. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and September 30, 2015, we had outstanding restricted shares of common stock to certain of our employees under the Company's 2011 Restricted Stock Award Plan (the "Plan"). A reconciliation of the numerator (net income) and denominator (weighted average number of shares outstanding of the basic and diluted earnings per share ("EPS")) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and September 30, 2015 is as follows (in thousands, except per share data):

	Three months ended September 30, 2016
	Net Income (numerator)		Shares (denominator)	Per Share Amount
Basic EPS	$	12,527	83,286	$	0.15
Effect of restricted stock	—		56
Diluted EPS	$	12,527	83,342	$	0.15

	Three months ended September 30, 2015
	Net Income (numerator)		Shares (denominator)	Per Share Amount
Basic EPS	$	15,113	87,387	$	0.17
Effect of restricted stock	—		105
Diluted EPS	$	15,113	87,492	$	0.17

	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016
	Net Income (numerator)		Shares (denominator)	Per Share Amount
Basic EPS	$	43,272	83,301	$	0.52
Effect of restricted stock	—		72
Diluted EPS	$	43,272	83,373	$	0.52

	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015
	Net Income (numerator)		Shares (denominator)	Per Share Amount
Basic EPS	$	56,041	87,663	$	0.64
Effect of restricted stock	—		143
Diluted EPS	$	56,041	87,806	$	0.64

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Equity

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2016

Share Repurchases [Abstract]

Stockholders' Equity

Equity

In September 2001, our Board of Directors authorized a program to repurchase 15.4 million shares, adjusted for stock splits, of our common stock in open market or negotiated transactions using available cash, cash equivalents and investments which was subsequently amended in February 2012.  Approximately 3.3 million shares remain authorized for repurchase under the program as of September 30, 2016. There were no shares repurchased during the three months ended September 30, 2016. There were 0.9 million shares repurchased in the open market during the nine months ended September 30, 2016. There were 1.8 million shares repurchased in the open market during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015. The authorization remains open at September 30, 2016 and has no expiration date. The share repurchase authorization is discretionary and may be suspended or discontinued at any time without prior notice.  

During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, our Board of Directors declared regular quarterly dividends totaling $1.7 million, $5.0 million, and $1.7 million, $5.2 million respectively.  Future payment of cash dividends and the amount of such dividends will depend upon our financial conditions, our results of operations, our cash requirements, our tax treatment, and certain corporate law requirements, as well as factors deemed relevant by our Board of Directors.

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Stock-Based Compensation

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2016

Stock-Based Compensation [Abstract]

Stock Based Compensation

Stock-Based Compensation

In July 2011, a Special Meeting of Stockholders of Heartland Express, Inc. was held, at which meeting the approval of the Plan was ratified. The Plan is administered by the Compensation Committee of our Board of Directors. Per the terms of the awards, employees receiving awards will have all of the rights of a stockholder with respect to the unvested restricted shares including, but not limited to, the right to receive such cash dividends, if any, as may be declared on such shares from time to time and the right to vote such shares at any meeting of our stockholders.

The Plan made available up to 0.9 million shares for the purpose of making restricted stock grants to our eligible officers and employees. During December 2011, 0.4 million shares were initially granted to employees and no additional shares were granted during 2012. All shares initially granted in 2011 have vested. Additional shares granted in 2013 through 2016 have various vesting terms that range from immediate to four years from the date of grant. Once vested, there are no other restrictions on the awards. Compensation expense associated with these awards is based on the market value of our stock on the grant date. Our market closing price ranged between $13.86 and $18.18 on the various grant dates for the shares issued in 2013. The Company's market close price ranged between $21.72 and $27.47 on the various grant dates during 2014, ranged between $19.93 and $27.29 on the various grant dates during 2015, and ranged between $17.06 and $18.78 on the various grant dates during the nine months ended September 30, 2016. There were no significant assumptions made in determining the fair value. Compensation expense associated with restricted stock awards is included in salaries, wages and benefits in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income. Compensation expense associated with restricted stock awards was $0.1 million and $1.2 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016. Compensation expense associated with restricted stock awards was $0.4 million and $1.0 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015. As of September 30, 20160.4 million shares remain available to be granted under the Plan. Unrecognized compensation expense was $0.6 million at September 30, 2016 which will be recognized over a remaining weighted average period of 1.3 years.

The following tables summarize our restricted stock award activity for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015.

	Three Months Ended September 30, 2016
	Number of Shares of Restricted Stock Awards (in thousands)		Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
Unvested at beginning of period	66.8		$	20.55
Granted	—		—
Vested	(11.8	)	17.11
Forfeited	—		—
Outstanding (unvested) at end of period	55.1		$	21.29

	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016
	Number of Shares of Restricted Stock Awards (in thousands)		Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
Unvested at beginning of period	102.4		$	18.36
Granted	74.0		17.27
Vested	(121.4	)	17.05
Forfeited	—		—
Outstanding (unvested) at end of period	55.1		$	21.29

	Three Months Ended September 30, 2015
	Number of Shares of Restricted Stock Awards (in thousands)		Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
Unvested at beginning of period	104.6		$	18.04
Granted	11.2		19.94
Vested	(13.2	)	18.97
Forfeited	—		—
Outstanding (unvested) at end of period	102.6		$	18.13

	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015
	Number of Shares of Restricted Stock Awards (in thousands)		Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
Unvested at beginning of period	183.1		$	16.78
Granted	15.4		21.07
Vested	(95.9	)	16.25
Forfeited	—		—
Outstanding (unvested) at end of period	102.6		$	18.13

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Long-Term Debt

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2016

Line of Credit, Long-Term Debt [Abstract]

Long-Term Debt

Long-Term Debt

In November 2013, we entered into a credit agreement (the “Credit Agreement”) by and among Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, (the “Bank”), Heartland Express, Inc. of Iowa as the borrower (the “Borrower”), us, and the other members of our consolidated group, as Guarantors. Pursuant to the Credit Agreement, the Bank provided a five-year, $250.0 million unsecured revolving line of credit. The line of credit is available for working capital, equipment financing, and general corporate purposes. The Bank's commitment decreased to $200.0 million on November 1, 2015 and decreased to $175.0 million from November 1, 2016 through October 31, 2018.

The Credit Agreement is unsecured, with a negative pledge against all assets of our consolidated group, except for debt associated with permitted acquisitions, new purchase-money debt and capital lease obligations as described in the Credit Agreement. The Credit Agreement matures on October 31, 2018. The Borrower has the ability to terminate the commitment at any time at no additional cost to the Borrower. Borrowings under the Credit Agreement can either be, at Borrower's election, (i) one-month or three-month LIBOR (Index) plus 0.625%, floating, or (ii) Prime (Index) plus 0.0%, floating. There is a commitment fee on the unused portion of the Revolver at 0.0625%, due monthly.

The Credit Agreement contains customary financial covenants including, but not limited to, (i) a maximum adjusted leverage ratio of 2:1, measured quarterly on a trailing twelve month basis, (ii) a minimum net income requirement of $1.00, measured quarterly on a trailing twelve month basis, (iii) a minimum tangible net worth of $200 million requirement, measured quarterly, and (iv) limitations on other indebtedness and liens. The Credit Agreement also includes customary events of default, conditions, representations and warranties, and indemnification provisions. We were in compliance with the respective financial covenants at September 30, 2016.

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Income Taxes

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2016

Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]

Income Taxes

Income Taxes

We use the asset and liability method of accounting for income taxes.  Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to temporary differences between the financial statement carrying amount of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax basis.  Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. Such amounts are adjusted, as appropriate, to reflect changes in tax rates expected to be in effect when temporary differences reverse. The effect of a change in tax rates on deferred taxes is recognized in the period that the change is enacted. A valuation allowance is recorded to reduce the Company's deferred tax assets to the amount that is more likely than not to be realized. We had no recorded valuation allowance at September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015.

Our effective tax rate was 37.5% and 39.4% for the three months ended and 33.4%, and 37.0% for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively.  The decrease in the effective tax rate for 2016 is primarily attributable to the favorable impact of the reversal of previously recorded accruals for penalties and interest related to uncertain tax positions where the applicable statute of limitations have now lapsed.

We recognize the effect of income tax positions only if those positions are more likely than not of being sustained.  Recognized income tax positions are measured at the largest amount that is greater than 50% likely of being realized. Changes in recognition or measurement are reflected in the period in which the change in judgment occurs.  We record interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in income tax expense.

At September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, we had a total of $9.6 million and $11.6 million in gross unrecognized tax benefits, respectively.  Of this amount, $6.0 million and $7.3 million represents the amount of unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized, would impact our effective tax rate as of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015.  Unrecognized tax benefits were a net increase of $0.1 million and $0.2 million during the three months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively. Unrecognized tax benefits were a net decrease of $2.0 million and $1.4 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively. The net increases during the three month periods of 2016 and 2015 was mainly due to unrecognized tax benefits resulting from current year tax positions. The net decreases during the nine month periods of 2016 and 2015 were due mainly to the expiration of certain statutes of limitation net of additions with respective states.  This had the effect of decreasing the effective state tax rate during these respective periods. The total net amount of accrued interest and penalties for such unrecognized tax benefits was $3.1 million and $4.7 million at September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015 and is included in income taxes payable in the consolidated balance sheets.  Income tax expense is increased each period for the accrual of interest on outstanding positions and penalties when the uncertain tax position is initially recorded. Income tax expense is reduced in periods by the amount of accrued interest and penalties associated with reversed uncertain tax positions due to lapse of applicable statute of limitations, when applicable or when a position is settled. Net interest and penalties included in income tax expense for the three month period ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 was a net expense of approximately $0.1 million and $0.1 million, respectively. Net interest and penalties included in income tax expense for the nine month period ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 was a benefit of approximately $1.6 million and $1.1 million, respectively. Income tax expense increased during the three months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 due to additions for interest and penalty accruals. Income tax expense was reduced during the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 due to reversals of interest and penalties due to lapse of applicable statute of limitations and settlements, net of additions for interest and penalty accruals during the same period. These unrecognized tax benefits relate to risks associated with state income tax filing positions for our corporate subsidiaries.

A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits is as follows:

	2016
	(in thousands)
Balance at January 1, 2016	$	11,569
Additions based on tax positions related to current year	474
Additions for tax positions of prior years	—
Reductions for tax positions of prior years	(108		)
Reductions due to lapse of applicable statute of limitations	(2,374		)
Settlements	—
Balance at September 30, 2016	$	9,561

A number of years may elapse before an uncertain tax position is audited and ultimately settled. It is difficult to predict the ultimate outcome or the timing of resolution for uncertain tax positions. It is reasonably possible that the amount of unrecognized tax benefits could significantly increase or decrease within the next twelve months. These changes could result from the expiration of the statute of limitations, examinations or other unforeseen circumstances. We do not have any outstanding litigation related to tax matters.  At this time, management’s best estimate of the reasonably possible change in the amount of gross unrecognized tax benefits to be a decrease of approximately $1.2 million to a decrease of $2.2 million during the next twelve months mainly due to the expiration of certain statute of limitations, net of additions.  The federal statute of limitations remains open for the years 2013 and forward. Tax years 2005 and forward are subject to audit by state tax authorities depending on the tax code and administrative practice of each state.

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Operating Leases

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2016

Leases [Abstract]

Operating Leases

 Operating Leases

During 2016, we leased certain revenue equipment of which the majority of these leases were with a commercial tractor dealership, whose owners include a board member. During 2015, a portion of our operating leases were with the noted commercial tractor dealership. Rent expense for these leases were $0.0 million and $0.8 million (including related-party rental payments totaling $0.0 million and $0.8 million), for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, respectively. Rent expense for these leases were $0.8 million and $2.8 million (including related-party rental payments totaling $0.8 million, and $2.7 million), for the three and nine months ended 2015, respectively. These expenses were included in rent and purchased transportation in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income. The various leases were terminated in June 2016.

We lease certain terminal facilities under operating leases. A portion of these leases are with limited liability companies, whose members include a board member and a commercial tractor dealership whose owners include a board member. Rent expenses for terminal facilities were $0.5 million and $1.6 million (including related-party rental payments totaling $0.5 million and $1.4 million), for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, respectively. Rent expenses for terminal facilities were $0.9 million and $3.0 million (including related-party rental payments totaling $0.8 million and $2.8 million), for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, respectively. These expenses were included in rent and purchased transportation in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income. The various leases expire from 2017 through 2018 and contain purchase options and options to renew, except the Pacific, Washington location. We have renewal options and a right of first refusal on the sale of the Pacific, Washington location property. We are responsible for all taxes, insurance, and utilities related to the terminal leases. See Note 13 for additional information regarding related party transactions.

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Related Party

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Related Party [Abstract]

Related Party

Related Party

We lease certain terminal facilities for operations under operating leases from certain limited liability companies, whose members include a board member and a commercial tractor dealership whose owners include a board member. These terminal facility leases started in November 2013 and have initial five year terms, purchase options, and options to renew excluding the Pacific, Washington location. The Pacific, Washington location contains lease renewal options and a right of first refusal on any sale of the property.

We purchased tractors from and sold tractors to the commercial tractor dealership noted above. We had operating leases for certain revenue equipment with the commercial tractor dealership and we also purchased parts and services from the same commercial tractor dealership. We owed the commercial tractor dealership $0.0 million and $0.1 million, included in accounts payable and accrued liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets at September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively, for tractors delivered but not paid for prior to these dates and outstanding parts and services.

The related payments (receipts) with related parties for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 (in thousands) were as follows:

	Three months ended September 30,
	2016		2015
Payments for tractor purchases	$	—	20,687
Receipts for tractor sales	—		(9,035		)
Receipts for trailer sales	—		(28		)
Revenue equipment lease payments	—		767
Payments for parts and services	368		1,224
Terminal lease payments	466		833
	$	834	$	14,448

	Nine months ended September 30,
	2016			2015
Payments for tractor purchases	$	4,300		$	45,582
Receipts for tractor sales	—			(28,603		)
Receipts for trailer sales	(108		)	(28		)
Revenue equipment lease payments	813			2,651
Payments for parts and services	1,151			3,650
Terminal lease payments	1,397			2,753
Terminal lease purchase option payment	—			4,875
	$	7,553		$	30,880

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Commitments and Contingencies

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2016

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]

Commitments and Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies

We are a party to ordinary, routine litigation and administrative proceedings incidental to its business. In the opinion of management, our potential exposure under pending legal proceedings is adequately provided for in the accompanying consolidated financial statements.  

The total estimated purchase commitments for tractors, net of tractor sale commitments, and trailer equipment as of September 30, 2016 was $54.4 million

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Subsequent Events

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2016

Subsequent Events [Abstract]

Subsequent Events [Text Block]

Subsequent Events

We have evaluated events occurring subsequent to September 30, 2016. No events occurred requiring disclosure.

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Basis of Presentation Basis of Presentation (Policies)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2016

Basis of Presentation [Abstract]

Basis of Presentation [Policy Text Block]

Basis of Presentation and New Accounting Pronouncements

Heartland Express, Inc., (the “Company,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) is a holding company incorporated in Nevada, which owns all of the stock of Heartland Express Inc. of Iowa, Heartland Express Services, Inc., Heartland Express Maintenance Services, Inc., and A & M Express, Inc. Gordon Trucking, Inc. ("GTI") was merged into Heartland Express Inc. of Iowa effective July 1, 2016. We, and our subsidiaries, operate as one segment. We, together with our subsidiaries, are a short-to-medium haul truckload carrier (predominately 500 miles or less per load) with corporate headquarters in North Liberty, Iowa. We primarily provide nationwide asset-based dry van truckload service for major shippers from Washington to Florida and New England to California.

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the parent company, Heartland Express, Inc., and its subsidiaries, all of which are wholly owned.  All material intercompany items and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements of the Company have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and notes to the financial statements required by U.S. generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all normal, recurring adjustments considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. The consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes for the year ended December 31, 2015 included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K of the Company filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 29, 2016. Interim results of operations are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year or any other interim periods.

Use of Estimates, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Use of Estimates

The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period.  Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Segment Reporting, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Segment Information

We provide multiple transportation services across the United States (U.S.) and parts of Canada. We offer primarily asset-based transportation services in the dry van truckload market and also offer truckload temperature-controlled transportation services and non-asset based brokerage services. None of our transportation services or geographical-based regional terminals individually meet the definition of a segment. Our Chief Operating Decision Maker oversees and manages all of our transportation services and regional terminals, on a combined basis, including the legacy transportation services of acquired entities. As a result of the foregoing, we have determined that we have one segment, consistent with the authoritative accounting guidance on disclosures about segments of an enterprise and related information.

Cash and Cash Equivalents, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash equivalents are short-term, highly liquid investments with insignificant interest rate risk and original maturities of three months or less at acquisition.

Property, Plant and Equipment, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Property and equipment are reported at cost, net of accumulated depreciation. Maintenance and repairs are charged to operations as incurred.  New tires are capitalized separately from revenue equipment and are reported separately as “Prepaid tires” in the consolidated balance sheets and amortized over two years.

Depreciation for financial statement purposes is computed by the straight-line method for all assets other than tractors.  We recognize depreciation expense on tractors using the 125% declining balance method. New tractors are depreciated to salvage values of $15,000 while new trailers are depreciated to salvage values of $4,000.

Earnings Per Share, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Earnings per Share

Basic earnings per share is based upon the weighted average common shares outstanding during each year.  Diluted earnings per share is based on the basic weighted earnings per share with additional weighted common shares for common stock equivalents.

Income Tax, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Income Taxes

We use the asset and liability method of accounting for income taxes.  Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to temporary differences between the financial statement carrying amount of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax basis.  Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. Such amounts are adjusted, as appropriate, to reflect changes in tax rates expected to be in effect when temporary differences reverse. The effect of a change in tax rates on deferred taxes is recognized in the period that the change is enacted. A valuation allowance is recorded to reduce the Company's deferred tax assets to the amount that is more likely than not to be realized.

Income Tax Uncertainties, Policy [Policy Text Block]

We recognize the effect of income tax positions only if those positions are more likely than not of being sustained.  Recognized income tax positions are measured at the largest amount that is greater than 50% likely of being realized. Changes in recognition or measurement are reflected in the period in which the change in judgment occurs.  We record interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in income tax expense.

Subsequent Events, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Subsequent Events

We have evaluated events occurring subsequent to September 30, 2016. No events occurred requiring disclosure.

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Other Intangible, Net and Goodwill (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2016

Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Table Text Block]

	Amortization period (years)	Gross Amount		Accumulated Amortization		Net intangible assets
		(in thousands)
Customer relationships	20	$	7,600	$	1,092	$	6,508
Tradename	6	7,400		3,544		3,856
Covenants not to compete	10	3,100		894		2,206
Real estate options	2.2	942		942		—
		$	19,042	$	6,472	$	12,570

Schedule of Goodwill [Table Text Block]

Carrying amounts of goodwill were as follows:

	(in thousands)
Balance at December 31, 2015	$	100,212
Acquisitions	—
Balance at September 30, 2016	$	100,212

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Earnings Per Share (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2016

Earnings Per Share [Abstract]

Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted [Table Text Block]

	Three months ended September 30, 2016
	Net Income (numerator)		Shares (denominator)	Per Share Amount
Basic EPS	$	12,527	83,286	$	0.15
Effect of restricted stock	—		56
Diluted EPS	$	12,527	83,342	$	0.15

	Three months ended September 30, 2015
	Net Income (numerator)		Shares (denominator)	Per Share Amount
Basic EPS	$	15,113	87,387	$	0.17
Effect of restricted stock	—		105
Diluted EPS	$	15,113	87,492	$	0.17

	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016
	Net Income (numerator)		Shares (denominator)	Per Share Amount
Basic EPS	$	43,272	83,301	$	0.52
Effect of restricted stock	—		72
Diluted EPS	$	43,272	83,373	$	0.52

	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015
	Net Income (numerator)		Shares (denominator)	Per Share Amount
Basic EPS	$	56,041	87,663	$	0.64
Effect of restricted stock	—		143
Diluted EPS	$	56,041	87,806	$	0.64

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Stock-Based Compensation (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2016

Stock-Based Compensation [Abstract]

Disclosure of restricted stock award activity

The following tables summarize our restricted stock award activity for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015.

	Three Months Ended September 30, 2016
	Number of Shares of Restricted Stock Awards (in thousands)		Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
Unvested at beginning of period	66.8		$	20.55
Granted	—		—
Vested	(11.8	)	17.11
Forfeited	—		—
Outstanding (unvested) at end of period	55.1		$	21.29

	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016
	Number of Shares of Restricted Stock Awards (in thousands)		Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
Unvested at beginning of period	102.4		$	18.36
Granted	74.0		17.27
Vested	(121.4	)	17.05
Forfeited	—		—
Outstanding (unvested) at end of period	55.1		$	21.29

	Three Months Ended September 30, 2015
	Number of Shares of Restricted Stock Awards (in thousands)		Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
Unvested at beginning of period	104.6		$	18.04
Granted	11.2		19.94
Vested	(13.2	)	18.97
Forfeited	—		—
Outstanding (unvested) at end of period	102.6		$	18.13

	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015
	Number of Shares of Restricted Stock Awards (in thousands)		Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
Unvested at beginning of period	183.1		$	16.78
Granted	15.4		21.07
Vested	(95.9	)	16.25
Forfeited	—		—
Outstanding (unvested) at end of period	102.6		$	18.13

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Income Taxes (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2016

Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]

Reconciliation of Unrecognized Tax Benefits

A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits is as follows:

	2016
	(in thousands)
Balance at January 1, 2016	$	11,569
Additions based on tax positions related to current year	474
Additions for tax positions of prior years	—
Reductions for tax positions of prior years	(108		)
Reductions due to lapse of applicable statute of limitations	(2,374		)
Settlements	—
Balance at September 30, 2016	$	9,561

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Related Party (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2016

Related Party [Abstract]

Schedule of Related Party Transactions [Table Text Block]

The related payments (receipts) with related parties for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 (in thousands) were as follows:

	Three months ended September 30,
	2016		2015
Payments for tractor purchases	$	—	20,687
Receipts for tractor sales	—		(9,035		)
Receipts for trailer sales	—		(28		)
Revenue equipment lease payments	—		767
Payments for parts and services	368		1,224
Terminal lease payments	466		833
	$	834	$	14,448

	Nine months ended September 30,
	2016			2015
Payments for tractor purchases	$	4,300		$	45,582
Receipts for tractor sales	—			(28,603		)
Receipts for trailer sales	(108		)	(28		)
Revenue equipment lease payments	813			2,651
Payments for parts and services	1,151			3,650
Terminal lease payments	1,397			2,753
Terminal lease purchase option payment	—			4,875
	$	7,553		$	30,880

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Segment Information (Details)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016 segments
Segment Information [Abstract]
Number of Segments	1

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Cash and Cash Equivalents (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Cash and Cash Equivalents [Abstract]
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents	$ 12.2	$ 11.4
Restricted Cash and Investments, Current	0.8
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, Noncurrent	$ 11.4

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Prepaid Tires, Property, Equipment and Depreciation (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Amortization Period of Tires			2 years
Tractors [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant, and Equipment, Salvage Value	$ 15		$ 15
Trailers [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant, and Equipment, Salvage Value	4		4
Communications and Utilities Expense
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Depreciation	$ 0	$ 300	$ 0	$ 800

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Other Intangible, Net and Goodwill (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Change In Gross Amount of Identifiable Intangible Assets			$ 0
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense	$ 481	$ 600	1,443	$ 1,800
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Amount	19,042		19,042
Accumulated Amortization	6,472		6,472
Net Intangible Assets	12,570		$ 12,570
Customer Relationships
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Amortization period (years)			20 years
Gross Amount	7,600		$ 7,600
Accumulated Amortization	1,092		1,092
Net Intangible Assets	6,508		$ 6,508
Tradename
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Amortization period (years)			6 years
Gross Amount	7,400		$ 7,400
Accumulated Amortization	3,544		3,544
Net Intangible Assets	3,856		$ 3,856
Covenants Not to Compete
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Amortization period (years)			10 years
Gross Amount	3,100		$ 3,100
Accumulated Amortization	894		894
Net Intangible Assets	2,206		$ 2,206
Real Estate Options
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Amortization period (years)			2 years 2 months 12 days
Gross Amount	942		$ 942
Accumulated Amortization	942		942
Net Intangible Assets	$ 0		$ 0

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Other Intangible, Net and Goodwill Changes carrying amount of goodwill (Details) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016 USD ($)
Intangible Assets and Goodwill [Abstract]
Goodwill, Beginning balance	$ 100,212
Acquisitions	0
Goodwill, Ending Balance	$ 100,212

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Earnings Per Share (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Net income	$ 12,527	$ 15,113	$ 43,272	$ 56,041
Basic EPS, Shares	83,286	87,387	83,301	87,663
Basic EPS, Per Share Amount	$ 0.15	$ 0.17	$ 0.52	$ 0.64
Effect of restricted stock	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0
Effect of restricted stock, Shares	56	105	72	143
Diluted EPS, Net Income	$ 12,527	$ 15,113	$ 43,272	$ 56,041
Diluted EPS, Shares	83,342	87,492	83,373	87,806
Diluted EPS, Per Share Amount	$ 0.15	$ 0.17	$ 0.52	$ 0.64

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Equity (Details) - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2001
Share Repurchases [Abstract]
Number of Shares Authorized to be Repurchased	3,296		3,296		15,400
Treasury Stock, Shares, Acquired	0	1,773	922
Dividends, Common Stock, Cash	$ 1.7	$ 1.7	$ 5.0	$ 5.2

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Equity Dividends Paid (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent [Abstract]
Dividends, Common Stock, Cash	$ 1.7	$ 1.7	$ 5.0	$ 5.2

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Stock-Based Compensation (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended			46 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Dec. 14, 2011	Jul. 11, 2011
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Payments for Repurchase of Common Stock			$ 14,678	$ 30,858
Weighted Average Exercise Price of Stock Awards	$ 20.55	$ 18.04	$ 18.36	$ 16.78	$ 16.78	$ 16.78		$ 18.13	$ 21.29
Weighted average fair value price of stock awards lower			17.06		19.93	21.72	$ 13.86
weighted average fair value price of stock awards upper			$ 18.78		$ 27.29	$ 27.47	$ 18.18
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized, Period for Recognition								1 year 3 months 16 days
Restricted Stock Shares Authorized										400,000	900,000
Stock-based Compensation	$ 141	$ 408	$ 1,161	$ 983
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Total Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized									$ 600
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested [Roll Forward]
Unvested at beginning of year, Number of Restricted Stock Awards (in shares)	66,800	104,600	102,400	183,100	183,100
Unvested at beginning of year, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value (in dollars)	$ 20.55	$ 18.04	$ 18.36	$ 16.78	$ 16.78
Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period	0	11,200	74,000	15,400
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	$ 0.00	$ 19.94	$ 17.27	$ 21.07
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Vested in Period	(11,800)	(13,200)	(121,400)	(95,900)
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Vested in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	$ 17.11	$ 18.97	$ 17.05	$ 16.25
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Forfeited in Period	0	0	0	0
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Forfeitures, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	$ 0	$ 0.00	$ 0.00	$ 0.00
Outstanding (unvested) at end of year, Number of Restricted Stock Awards (in shares)	55,100	102,600	55,100	102,600	102,400	183,100		102,600
Outstanding (unvested) at end of year, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value (in dollars)	$ 21.29	$ 18.13	$ 21.29	$ 18.13	$ 18.36	$ 16.78		$ 18.13

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Long-Term Debt (Details)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2013 USD ($)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity, Current		$ 250,000,000
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity, Period 2	$ 200,000,000
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity, Period 3	$ 175,000,000
Line of Credit Facility, Unused Capacity, Commitment Fee Percentage	0.0625%
Debt Instrument, Covenant, Leverage Ratio	2
Debt Covenant, Minimum Net Income Requirement	$ 1
Debt Instrument, Minimum Tangible Net Worth	$ 200,000,000
London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	0.625%
Prime Rate [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	0.00%

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Income Taxes (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015
Significant Change in Unrecognized Tax Benefits is Reasonably Possible [Line Items]
Payments for Repurchase of Common Stock			$ 14,678	$ 30,858
Effective Income Tax Rate, Percent	37.50%	39.40%	33.40%	37.00%
Valuation Allowance [Abstract]
Valuation Allowance, Amount	$ 0		$ 0
Income Tax Uncertainties [Abstract]
Unrecognized Tax Benefits that Would Impact Effective Tax Rate	6,000		6,000		$ 7,300
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Period Increase (Decrease)	100	$ 200	(2,000)	$ (1,400)
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Income Tax Penalties and Interest Accrued	3,100		3,100		$ 4,700
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Income Tax Penalties and Interest Expense			(1,552)	$ (1,111)
Reconciliation of Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Excluding Amounts Pertaining to Examined Tax Returns [Roll Forward]
Balance beginning of period			11,569
Additions based on tax positions related to current year			474
Additions for tax positions of prior years			0
Reductions for tax positions of prior years			(108)
Reductions due to lapse of applicable statute of limitations			(2,374)
Settlements			0
Balance end of period	9,561		9,561
Maximum [Member]
Significant Change in Unrecognized Tax Benefits is Reasonably Possible [Line Items]
Significant Change in Unrecognized Tax Benefits is Reasonably Possible, Estimated Range of Change, Lower Bound	(2,200)		(2,200)
Minimum [Member]
Significant Change in Unrecognized Tax Benefits is Reasonably Possible [Line Items]
Significant Change in Unrecognized Tax Benefits is Reasonably Possible, Estimated Range of Change, Lower Bound	$ (1,200)		$ (1,200)

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Operating Leases (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015
Operating Leased Assets [Line Items]
Due to Related Parties, Current	$ 0		$ 0		$ 100
Operating Leases, Rent Expense	0	$ 800	800	$ 2,800
Payments for Repurchase of Common Stock			14,678	30,858
related party payment for terminal purchase		4,875	0
Related Party
Operating Leased Assets [Line Items]
Operating Leases, Rent Expense	0	767	813	2,651
Terminal Facilities
Operating Leased Assets [Line Items]
Operating Leases, Rent Expense	500	900	1,600	3,000
Terminal Facilities | Related Party
Operating Leased Assets [Line Items]
Operating Leases, Rent Expense	$ 466	$ 833	$ 1,397	$ 2,753

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Related Party (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Due to Related Parties, Current	$ 0		$ 0		$ 100
Operating Leases, Rent Expense	0	$ 800	800	$ 2,800
related party payment for terminal purchase		4,875	0
Costs and Expenses, Related Party	834	14,448	7,553	30,880
Related Party
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Payments for tractor purchase	0	20,687	4,300	45,582
Operating Leases, Rent Expense	0	767	813	2,651
Payments for parts and services	368	1,224	1,151	3,650
Terminal Facilities
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Operating Leases, Rent Expense	500	900	1,600	3,000
Terminal Facilities | Related Party
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Operating Leases, Rent Expense	466	833	1,397	2,753
Tractors [Member] | Related Party
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Receipts for tractor sales	0	(9,035)	0	(28,603)
Trailers [Member] | Related Party
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Receipts for tractor sales	$ 0	$ (28)	$ (108)	$ (28)

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Commitments and Contingencies (Details) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2016 USD ($)
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation	$ 54.4