Document and Entity Information - shares	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2023	May 05, 2023
Document Information [Line Items]
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock, $0.01 par value
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	NV
Entity Registrant Name	HEARTLAND EXPRESS INC
City Area Code	319
Local Phone Number	645-7060
Entity Central Index Key	0000799233
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Mar. 31, 2023
Entity File Number	0-15087
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2023
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		78,988,359
Entity Tax Identification Number	93-0926999
Entity Address, Address Line One	901 Heartland Way,
Entity Address, City or Town	North Liberty,
Entity Address, State or Province	IA
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	52317
Trading Symbol	HTLD
Security Exchange Name	NASDAQ
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Transition Report	false