UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549
         --------------------------------------------------------------


                                    FORM 8-K


                                 CURRENT REPORT


                       Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of
                       the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

                Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported):
                                  May 18, 2006


                             HEARTLAND EXPRESS, INC.
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


                        Commission File Number - 0-15087


            NEVADA                                              93-0926999
(State of other Jurisdiction                              (IRS Employer ID No.)
        of Incorporation)

2777 HEARTLAND DRIVE, CORALVILLE, IOWA                            52241
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)                        (Zip Code)


        Registrant's Telephone Number (including area code): 319-545-2728












ITEM 8.01.  OTHER EVENTS

     On May 18, 2006,  Heartland  Express,  Inc. (the  "Company")  announced the
promotion of Michael  Gerdin to President of Heartland  Express,  Inc. A copy of
the press release issued by the Company is attached as Exhibit 99.1.

ITEM 9.01. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS

(c)  Exhibits

     The Exhibit listed on the Exhibit Index  accompanying Form 8-K is furnished
herewith.

                                   SIGNATURES

     Pursuant to the  requirements  of the Securities  Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on behalf by the undersigned
thereunto duly authorized.

                                                HEARTLAND EXPRESS, INC.

Date: May 18, 2006                              BY: JOHN P. COSAERT
                                                -----------------------
                                                JOHN P. COSAERT
                                                Vice-President
                                                Finance and Treasurer


















                                  EXHIBIT INDEX

99.1 Press release issued by the Company on May 18, 2006 announced the promotion
of Michael Gerdin to President of Heartland Express, Inc.










































                                Exhibit No. 99.1


May 18, 2006, For Immediate Release

Press Release

Heartland Express, Inc. Announces New President.

CORALVILLE,  IOWA - May  18,  2006 -  Heartland  Express,  Inc.  (Nasdaq:  HTLD)
announced  today the  promotion  of Michael  Gerdin to  President  of  Heartland
Express,  Inc. Mr.  Russell  Gerdin will continue to serve as Chairman and Chief
Executive Officer having served as President since 1978.

Chairman  and Chief  Executive  Officer of  Heartland  Express  Russell  Gerdin,
stated:  "Heartland  Express has a long  history of success in building a growth
organization  dependent  upon the  strength of our people,  dedicated to service
excellence.  Our  reputation  as being a leader in the  industry  for  financial
strength and operational  performance sets a high watermark in our industry. Our
long  term  success  speaks  to the  depth of  Heartland's  management  team and
character of our people in our  organization.  This  announcement is part of our
long term vision for the continued growth and success".

Michael Gerdin started with Heartland Express,  Inc. in 1983. Since that time he
has held numerous positions throughout the Company. He has held positions in the
operations, sales, safety, shop, and driver recruiting departments.

Mr. Gerdin received his BA degree in Business  Management from Luther College in
1992.

Michael was elected to the Heartland  Express,  Inc. Board of Directors in 1996,
an appointment of which he currently serves.

From 1998 to 2001 he served as President of A&M Express, Inc. of Kingsport, TN a
wholly owned subsidiary of Heartland Express, Inc. purchased in 1997.

In 2001,  Michael  was  appointed  Vice  President  of Regional  Operations  for
Heartland  Express which currently  represents  approximately  65% of Heartlands
revenue base.

Mr. Russell Gerdin further commented "These are exciting and challenging  times,
I am  confident  that  Michael and his  management  team will be  successful  in
furthering  our past  success.  As  Chairman  and CEO I look  forward to working
closely with Michael in his new role as President".

This  press  release  may  contain   statements  that  might  be  considered  as
forward-looking statements or predictions of future operations.  Such statements
are based on  management's  belief or  interpretation  of information  currently
available.   These   statements  and  assumptions   involve  certain  risks  and
uncertainties.  Actual  events may differ from these  expectations  as specified
from time to time in filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.


                        Contact: Heartland Express, Inc.
                           John Cosaert or Mike Gerdin
                                  319-545-2728


                                 END OF REPORT