Heartland Express
 | |
| Company type | Public |
|---|---|
| Template:NASDAQ | |
| Industry | Freight transport |
| Founded | 1978 |
| Headquarters | , U.S. |
| Subsidiaries | CFI |
| Website | www |
Heartland Express is a U.S.-based trucking company headquartered in North Liberty, Iowa, specializing in truckload shipping services throughout the country.
History
Established in 1978 by Russell A. Gerdin, Heartland Express became a publicly traded company in 1986. By 1988, the fleet had grown to more than 300 tractors, generating net profits exceeding $5 million.
The company's acquisition of Munson Transportation, located in Illinois, in 1994 effectively doubled its size and contributed to net earnings surpassing $20.5 million by 1995.
In 2013, the purchase of Gordon Trucking for $300 million elevated Heartland to the position of the fifth-largest asset-based trucking firm in the United States. Later expansions included acquiring Interstate Distributor from Saltchuk for $113 million in 2017 and Millis Transfer for $150 million in 2019.
Further growth occurred in 2022 with the procurement of Smith Transport for $170 million and the acquisition of trucking assets from Contract Freighters, Inc. (CFI), purchased from TFI International for $525 million.
Operations
Heartland Express offers long-distance, regional, and dedicated route truckload transportation services. As of 2025, its network includes terminals situated in fourteen states across the United States.