UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

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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):

December 9, 2025

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HEARTLAND EXPRESS, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Nevada	000-15087	93-0926999
(State or other Jurisdiction of Incorporation)	(Commission File Number)	(IRS Employer Identification No.)

	901 HEARTLAND WAY, NORTH LIBERTY, IA	52317
	(Address of Principal Executive Offices)	(Zip Code)

(319) 645-7060

Registrant's Telephone Number (including area code):

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

☐ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

☐ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

☐ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

☐ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class	Trading Symbol(s)	Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, $0.01 par value	HTLD	NASDAQ

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter). Emerging growth company ☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

Item 8.01. Other Events

On December 9, 2025, Heartland Express, Inc. (the “Company”) announced the integration of the U.S. operations of Contract Freighters, Inc. (“CFI”) into Heartland Express. A copy of the press release issued by the Company is attached as Exhibit 99.1.

Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits

(d) Exhibits

EXHIBIT
NUMBER	EXHIBIT DESCRIPTION

99.1	Press release issued by the Company on December 9, 2025, announcing the integration of CFI's U.S. operations into Heartland Express.

104	Cover Page Interactive Data File

The information in this report and the exhibit hereto may contain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and such statements are subject to the safe harbor created by those sections and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended. Such statements are made based on the current beliefs and expectations of the Company's management and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. Actual results or events may differ from those anticipated by forward-looking statements. Please refer to the paragraph at the end of the attached press release and various disclosures by the Company in its press releases, stockholder reports, and filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission for information concerning risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may affect future results.

SIGNATURE

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

		HEARTLAND EXPRESS, INC.

Date:	December 9, 2025	By: /s/ Christopher A. Strain
		Christopher A. Strain
		Vice President-Finance, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer

Heartland Express Inc. filed SEC Form 8-K: Other Events, Financial Statements and Exhibits