Intangible Assets and Goodwill

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2025

Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]

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. The $69.5 million of other intangibles, net recorded in the consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2025 includes $12.6 million of indefinite lived trade name intangible assets, not subject to amortization, along with $56.9 million finite lived intangible assets, net. As a result of the integration and rebranding of the U.S. operations of CFI into Heartland Express we recognized a CFI trade name impairment of $19.0 million which was the only change in the gross amount of identifiable intangible assets during the twelve months ended December 31, 2025.

Amortization expense of $5.0 million, $5.0 million and $5.2 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023, respectively, was included in depreciation and amortization in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income.

Intangible assets subject to amortization consisted of the following at December 31, 2025 and 2024:


	2025
	Amortization period (years)	Gross Amount		Accumulated Amortization		Net finite intangible assets
		(in thousands)
Customer relationships	15-20	$	75,836	$	21,274	$	54,562
Trade name	0.5-10	12,900		11,140		1,760
Covenants not to compete	1-10	5,839		5,282		557
		$	94,575	$	37,696	$	56,879


	2024
	Amortization period (years)	Gross Amount		Accumulated Amortization		Net finite intangible assets
		(in thousands)
Customer relationships	15-20	$	75,836	$	16,955	$	58,881
Trade name	0.5-10	12,900		10,660		2,240
Covenants not to compete	1-10	5,839		5,064		775
		$	94,575	$	32,679	$	61,896

Future amortization expense for intangible assets is estimated at $5.0 million for 2026, $5.0 million for 2027, $4.9 million for 2028, $4.7 million for 2029, $4.3 million for 2030, and $33.0 million in total thereafter.

There were no changes in the carrying amount of goodwill during the twelve months ended December 31, 2025 and 2024.