HEARTLAND EXPRESS INC

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

SCHEDULE 14A

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the

Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Filed by Registrant (X)

Filed by a party other than the Registrant ( )

Check the Appropriate Box:

( ) Preliminary Proxy Statement

( ) Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))

(X) Definitive Proxy Statement

( ) Definitive Additional Materials

( ) Soliciting Material under §240.14a-12

(Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

N/A

(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)

Payment of Filing Fee (Check all boxes that apply):

901 Heartland Way

North Liberty, Iowa 52317

NOTICE AND PROXY STATEMENT

FOR ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

TO BE HELD ON MAY 14, 2026

Dear Fellow Stockholders:

The 2026 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “Annual Meeting”) of Heartland Express, Inc., a Nevada corporation ("Heartland Express," the "Company," "we," "us" or "our"), will be held at our headquarters, 901 Heartland Way, North Liberty, Iowa, 52317, at 8:00 a.m. Central Daylight Time, on Thursday, May 14, 2026, for the following purposes:

The foregoing matters are more fully described in the accompanying Proxy Statement.

The Board of Directors has fixed the close of business on March 16, 2026, as the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to receive notice of, to participate in, and to vote at the Annual Meeting or any adjournment thereof. Shares of common stock may be voted at the Annual Meeting only if the holder is present at the Annual Meeting or by valid proxy. YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT. TO ENSURE YOUR REPRESENTATION AT THE ANNUAL MEETING, YOU ARE REQUESTED TO PROMPTLY DATE, SIGN, AND RETURN THE ACCOMPANYING PROXY IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE. You may also vote on the Internet by completing the electronic voting instruction form found at www.proxyvote.com or by telephone using a touch-tone telephone and calling 1-800-690-6903. Returning your proxy now will not interfere with your right to participate in the Annual Meeting or to vote your shares at the Annual Meeting, if you wish to do so. The prompt return of your proxy may save the Company additional expenses of solicitation.

To obtain directions to the Annual Meeting, please call Mr. Joshua S. Helmich at (319) 645-7060.

By Order of the Board of Directors,

/s/ Michael J. Gerdin

Michael J. Gerdin

Chairman of the Board

North Liberty, Iowa 52317

April 2, 2026

PROXY STATEMENT

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