Heartland Express (HTLD) 10-Q 8 Nov 13 2013 Q3 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Nov. 07, 2013
Document Information [Line Items]	'	'
Entity Registrant Name	'HEARTLAND EXPRESS INC	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0000799233	'
Document Type	'10-Q	'
Document Period End Date	30-Sep-13	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2013	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'Q3	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--12-31	'
Entity Filer Category	'Large Accelerated Filer	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	84,836,619

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
CURRENT ASSETS	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$164,215	$119,838
Short-term Investments	6,850	'
Trade receivables, net	48,112	46,555
Prepaid tires	4,806	6,603
Other current assets	5,689	2,281
Income tax receivable	4,119	2,351
Deferred income taxes, net	12,509	13,797
Total current assets	246,300	191,425
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT	'	'
Land and land improvements	17,098	17,451
Buildings	27,673	26,761
Furniture and fixtures	2,284	2,269
Shop and service equipment	7,266	7,266
Revenue equipment	395,573	378,583
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	449,894	432,330
Less accumulated depreciation	177,206	189,959
Property and equipment, net	272,688	242,371
LONG-TERM INVESTMENTS	4,345	20,016
GOODWILL	4,815	4,815
OTHER ASSETS	9,304	9,110
Assets	537,452	467,737
CURRENT LIABILITIES	'	'
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	28,825	7,583
Compensation and benefits	18,235	16,409
Insurance accruals	11,934	13,924
Other accruals	7,535	7,439
Total current liabilities	66,529	45,355
LONG-TERM LIABILITIES	'	'
Income taxes payable	19,708	23,122
Deferred income taxes, net	55,345	51,306
Insurance accruals less current portion	54,008	57,590
Total long-term liabilities	129,061	132,018
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Note 11)	'	'
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY	'	'
Preferred stock, par value $.01; authorized 5,000 shares; none issued	0	0
Capital stock, common, $.01 par value; authorized 395,000 shares; issued 90,689 in 2013 and 2012; outstanding, 84,837 in 2013 and 84,770 in 2012	907	907
Additional paid-in capital	3,774	2,968
Retained earnings	417,951	368,313
Treasury stock, at cost; 5,852 shares in 2013 and 5,919 shares in 2012	-80,540	-80,540
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-230	-1,284
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent	341,862	290,364
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity	$537,452	$467,737

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets_Pa

Consolidated Balance Sheets Parentheticals (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Preferred Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share	$0.01	$0.01
Preferred Stock, Shares Authorized	5,000,000	5,000,000
Preferred Stock, Shares Issued	0	0
Common Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share	$0.01	$0.01
Common Stock, Shares Authorized	395,000,000	395,000,000
Common Stock, Shares, Issued	90,689,000	90,689,000
Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding	84,837,000	84,770,000
Treasury Stock, Shares	5,852,000	5,919,000

Consolidated_Statements_of_Com

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Operating Revenue	$130,645	$135,010	$398,909	$409,552
Operating Expenses	'	'	'	'
Salaries, wages, and benefits	39,556	40,899	121,093	125,857
Rent and purchased transportation	1,112	1,495	3,735	4,752
Fuel	39,261	42,443	120,876	126,259
Operations and maintenance	4,987	6,468	14,256	18,371
Operating taxes and licenses	1,972	2,122	6,856	6,445
Insurance and claims	2,016	4,832	9,620	11,297
Communications and utilities	767	756	2,239	2,249
Depreciation	15,117	14,250	47,112	42,184
Other operating expenses	4,334	3,752	11,839	11,379
Gain on disposal of property and equipment	-4,477	-1,674	-24,299	-9,433
Total operating expenses	104,645	115,343	313,327	339,360
Operating income	26,000	19,667	85,582	70,192
Interest income	126	191	378	500
Income before income taxes	26,126	19,858	85,960	70,692
Federal and state income taxes	10,258	7,424	31,220	23,443
Net income	15,868	12,434	54,740	47,249
Other comprehensive income, net of tax	454	0	1,054	1,797
Comprehensive income	$16,322	$12,434	$55,794	$49,046
Net income per share	'	'	'	'
Basic	$0.19	$0.15	$0.65	$0.55
Diluted	$0.19	$0.14	$0.64	$0.55
Weighted average shares outstanding	'	'	'	'
Basic	84,837	85,646	84,799	86,189
Diluted	85,038	85,925	85,041	86,508
Dividends declared per share	$0.02	$0.02	$0.06	$0.06

Consolidated_Statements_of_Sto

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity (USD $)	Total	Capital Stock, Common	Additional Paid-in Capital	Retained Earnings	Treasury Stock	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
In Thousands
Balance at Dec. 31, 2012	$290,364	$907	$2,968	$368,313	($80,540)	($1,284)
Net income	54,740	0	0	54,740	0	0
Other comprehensive income, net of tax	1,054	0	0	0	0	'
Dividends on common stock	-5,102	0	0	-5,102	0	0
Stock-based Compensation	806	0	806	0	0	0
Balance at Sep. 30, 2013	$341,862	$907	$3,774	$417,951	($80,540)	($230)

Consolidated_Statement_of_Stoc

Consolidated Statement of Stockholders' Equity Parentheticals (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Dividends declared per share	$0.02	$0.02	$0.06	$0.06

Consolidated_Statements_of_Cas

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
OPERATING ACTIVITIES	'	'
Net income	$54,740	$47,249
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:	'	'
Depreciation	47,609	42,681
Deferred income taxes	5,325	-9,066
Amortization of stock-based compensation	806	2,000
Gain on disposal of property and equipment	-24,299	-9,433
Changes in certain working capital items:	'	'
Trade receivables	-1,557	-6,558
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	-2,439	2,111
Accounts payable, accrued liabilities, and accrued expenses	-1,810	2,257
Accrued income taxes	-5,182	-3,736
Net cash provided by operating activities	73,193	67,505
INVESTING ACTIVITIES	'	'
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment	56,751	17,449
Purchases of property and equipment, net of trades	-91,845	-25,360
Maturity and calls of investments	9,875	31,325
Change in other assets	-195	-4
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities	-25,414	23,410
FINANCING ACTIVITIES	'	'
Payments of Dividends	-3,402	-3,472
Payments for Repurchase of Common Stock	0	-14,472
Net cash used in financing activities	-3,402	-17,944
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	44,377	72,971
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS	'	'
Beginning of period	119,838	139,770
End of period	164,215	212,741
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION	'	'
Cash paid during the period for income taxes, net of refunds	31,076	36,246
Noncash investing and financing activities:	'	'
Purchased property and equipment in accounts payable	19,051	1,116
Common Stock Dividends Declared in Accounts Payable	$1,700	$1,715

Basis_of_Presentation

Basis of Presentation	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Basis of Presentation [Abstract]	'
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	Basis of Presentation
	The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the parent company, Heartland Express, Inc., and its subsidiaries, all of which are wholly owned. All material intercompany items and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements of Heartland Express, Inc. and subsidiaries (the “Company”) have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by U.S. generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all normal, recurring adjustments considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. The consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes for the year ended December 31, 2012 included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K of the Company filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 28, 2013. Interim results of operations are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year or any other interim periods. There were no changes to the Company's significant accounting policies during the nine month period ended September 30, 2013 other than detailed in the Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements below.
	Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements
	In February 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued new accounting guidance, which requires companies to provide information about the amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) by component. In addition, a company is required to present significant amounts reclassified out of comprehensive income (loss) by the respective line items of net income. This guidance is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2012. As the new standard did not change the current requirements for reporting net income, other comprehensive income, or accumulated other comprehensive loss in the financial statements, the Company's financial position, results of operations or cash flows were not impacted. There was $0.5 million and $1.1 million reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive loss during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013. See Note 5.

Use_of_Estimates

Use of Estimates	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Use of Estimates [Abstract]	'
Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block]	'
	Use of Estimates
	The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period.  Actual results could differ from those estimates. There were no significant changes in estimates and assumptions used by management related to our critical accounting policies during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 other than a change in estimate related to the depreciation of tractor revenue equipment. See Note 6.

Segment_Information

Segment Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Segment Information [Abstract]	'
Segment Reporting Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	Segment Information
	The Company has eleven regional operating divisions, in addition to operations at the Company's corporate headquarters; however, it has determined that it has one reportable segment. The operating divisions are operated out of our ten office locations including our corporate headquarters. All of the divisions are managed based on similar economic characteristics. Each of the regional operating divisions provides short-to-medium haul truckload carrier services of general commodities to a similar class of customers. In addition, each division exhibits similar financial performance, including average revenue per mile and operating ratio. As a result of the foregoing, the Company has determined that it is appropriate to aggregate its operating divisions into one reportable segment, consistent with the authoritative accounting guidance on disclosures about segments of an enterprise and related information. Accordingly, the Company has not presented separate segment financial information.

Cash_and_Cash_Equivalents

Cash and Cash Equivalents	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Cash and Cash Equivalents [Abstract]	'
Cash and Cash Equivalents Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	Cash and Cash Equivalents
	Cash equivalents are short-term, highly liquid investments with insignificant interest rate risk and original maturities of three months or less at acquisition. Restricted and designated cash and investments totaling $9.3 million at September 30, 2013 and $9.1 million at December 31, 2012 are included in other non-current assets per the consolidated balance sheet.  The restricted funds represent deposits required by state agencies for self-insurance purposes and designated funds that are earmarked for a specific purpose and not for general business use.

Investments_and_Fair_Value_Mea

Investments and Fair Value Measurements	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Equity Method Investments Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Fair Value Disclosures [Text Block]	'
	Investments and Fair Value Measurements
	All of the Company’s short-term and long-term investment balances at September 30, 2013, $11.4 million at par, were invested in tax free, auction rate student ("ARS") loan educational bonds that are classified as available-for-sale and, therefore, are carried at fair value on the financial statements.  As of September 30, 2013, all of the Company’s auction rate student loan bonds were associated with unsuccessful auctions.  As of September 30, 2013 the Company had received call notices, at par, for $6.9 million which were received in October and November 2013. The investments, not including the calls received subsequent to September 30, 2013, consist of two holdings and have contractual maturities that currently range from June 1, 2034 to May 1, 2040.  These securities, $4.6 million, at par, hold medium to high grade investment (A-AA+) ratings from recognized rating agencies. Since the first auction failures in February 2008 when the Company had approximately $198.5 million ARS at par, the Company has received approximately $193.9 million of calls, including calls received subsequent to September 30, 2013, from issuers, at par, plus accrued interest at the time of the call.  There were $0.1 million and $9.9 million in calls, at par, during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013.
	The fair value of available-for-sale investments at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 were as follows:
					Gross			Gross
		Amortized			Unrealized			Unrealized		Fair
		Cost			Gains			Losses		Value
		( in thousands)
	September 30, 2013
	Current
	Auction rate student loan educational bonds	$	6,850		—			$	—	$	6,850
	Long-term:
	Auction rate student loan educational bonds	$	4,575		$	—		$	230	$	4,345
		$	11,425		$	—		$	230	$	11,195
	December 31, 2012
	Long-term:
	Auction rate student loan educational bonds	$	21,300		$	—		$	1,284	$	20,016
	The contractual maturities and announced calls of available-for-sale securities at September 30, 2013 are detailed in the table below. As management receives intents to call from issuers, the associated securities are changed from their contractual maturities to the date received in the respective call notice.
		Fair Value			Amortized Cost
		(in thousands)
	Due within one year	$	6,850		$	6,850
	Due after one year through five years	—			—
	Due after five years through ten years	—			—
	Due after ten years through May 1, 2040	4,345			4,575
		$	11,195		$	11,425
	The unrealized loss of $0.2 million is recorded as an adjustment to accumulated other comprehensive loss and the Company has not recognized any other than temporary impairments in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income.   During the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2013 the Company recorded unrealized gains of $0.5 million and $1.1 million, respectively, due to the reversal of prior period recorded unrealized losses as the Company has received $9.9 million in calls, at par, during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and another $6.9 million subsequent to September 30, 2013. There were no other changes in other comprehensive income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and the unrealized losses on available-for-sale securities of $0.2 million is the only component of accumulated other comprehensive loss at September 30, 2013. There were no realized gains or losses related to these investments for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012.
	The table below presents a rollforward for all assets and liabilities, measured at fair value, on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012.
		Available-for-sale
		debt securities
		(in thousands)
		2013			2012
	Balance, January 1	$	20,016		$	50,569
	Settlements	(9,875		)	(31,325		)
	Purchases	—			—
	Issuances	—			—
	Sales	—			—
	Transfers in to (out of) Level 3	—			—
	Total gains or losses (realized/unrealized):
	Included in earnings	—			—
	Included in other comprehensive income, net of tax	1,054			1,797
	Balance, September 30,	$	11,195		$	21,041
	Municipal bonds of $1.4 million at September 30, 2013 and $1.3 million at December 31, 2012 are stated at amortized cost, are classified as held-to-maturity and are included in restricted cash in other non-current assets. Differences between amortized cost and fair value of municipal bonds are not considered material.

Property_Equipment_and_Depreci

Property, Equipment, and Depreciation	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Property, Equipment and Depreciation [Abstract]	'
Property, Plant and Equipment Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	Property, Equipment, and Depreciation
	Property and equipment are reported at cost, net of accumulated depreciation. Maintenance and repairs are charged to operations as incurred.   Tires are capitalized separately from revenue equipment and are reported separately as “Prepaid Tires” in the consolidated balance sheets and amortized over two years.  Depreciation expense of $0.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 and $0.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 has been included in communication and utilities in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income. Depreciation for financial statement purposes is computed by the straight-line method for all assets other than tractors.  The Company recognizes depreciation expense on tractors at 125% declining balance. Tractors are depreciated to salvage values of $15,000 while trailers are depreciated to salvage values of $4,000.
	Effective July 1, 2013, the Company adjusted its depreciation estimate for tractors to the 125% declining balance method from the 150% declining balance method to better reflect the estimated trade value of the tractors at the estimated trade date as well as better match the expense of tractor ownership with a tractors declining value over the estimated useful life of the asset. Under the declining balance method, depreciation for each tractor is highest in the first year and declines in each year throughout the useful life.  Changing to the 125% declining balance method from the 150% declining balance method increased operating income and decreased depreciation expense by approximately $2.1 million during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013.

Earnings_per_Share

Earnings per Share	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Earnings Per Share [Text Block]	'
	Earnings per Share
	Basic earnings per share are based upon the weighted average common shares outstanding during each period.  Diluted earnings per share is based on the basic weighted earnings per share with additional weighted common shares for common stock equivalents. During the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and September 30, 2012 the Company had shares of restricted stock outstanding related to shares granted under the 2011 Restricted Stock Award Plan. A reconciliation of the numerator (net income) and denominator (weighted average number of shares outstanding of the basic and diluted earnings per share ("EPS")) for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and September 30, 2012 is as follows (in thousands, except per share data):
		Three months ended September 30, 2013
		Net Income (numerator)		Shares (denominator)	Per Share Amount
	Basic EPS	$	15,868	84,837	$	0.19
	Effect of restricted stock	—		201
	Diluted EPS	$	15,868	85,038	$	0.19
		Three months ended September 30, 2012
		Net Income (numerator)		Shares (denominator)	Per Share Amount
	Basic EPS	$	12,434	85,646	$	0.15
	Effect of restricted stock	—		279
	Diluted EPS	$	12,434	85,925	$	0.14
		Nine months ended September 30, 2013
		Net Income (numerator)		Shares (denominator)	Per Share Amount
	Basic EPS	54,740		84,799	0.65
	Effect of restricted stock	—		242
	Diluted EPS	$	54,740	85,041	$	0.64
		Nine months ended September 30, 2012
		Net Income (numerator)		Shares (denominator)	Per Share Amount
	Basic EPS	$	47,249	86,189	$	0.55
	Effect of restricted stock	—		319
	Diluted EPS	$	47,249	86,508	$	0.55

Stockholders_Equity

Stockholders' Equity	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Share Repurchases [Abstract]	'
Stockholders' Equity Note Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	Stockholders' Equity
	In September, 2001, the Board of Directors of the Company authorized a program to repurchase 15.4 million shares, adjusted for stock splits, of the Company’s common stock in open market or negotiated transactions using available cash, cash equivalents and investments which was subsequently amended in February, 2012.  Approximately 3.2 million shares remain authorized for repurchase under the program as of September 30, 2013. There were no shares repurchased during the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2013. The authorization remains open at September 30, 2013 and has no expiration date. The repurchase program may be suspended or discontinued at any time without prior notice.
	During the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 the Company’s Board of Directors declared regular quarterly dividends totaling $1.7 million, $5.1 million, $1.7 million, and $5.2 million, respectively.  Future payment of cash dividends and the amount of such dividends will depend upon financial conditions, results of operations, cash requirements, tax treatment, and certain corporate law requirements, as well as factors deemed relevant by our Board of Directors.

StockBased_Compensation

Stock-Based Compensation	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Stock-Based Compensation [Abstract]	'
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Text Block]	'
	Stock-Based Compensation
	On July 11, 2011, a Special Meeting of Stockholders of Heartland Express, Inc. was held, at which meeting the approval of the Heartland Express, Inc. 2011 Restricted Stock Award Plan (the "Plan") was ratified. The Plan is administered by the Compensation Committee of the Company's Board of Directors (the "Committee"). In accordance with and subject to the provisions of the Plan, the Committee has the authority to determine all provisions of awards of restricted stock, including, without limitation, the employees of the Company who will receive awards, the number of shares awarded to individual employees, the time or times when awards will be granted, restrictions and other conditions (including, for example, the lapse of time) to which the vesting of awards may be subject, and other terms and conditions and form of agreement to be entered into by the Company and employees subject to awards of restricted stock. The Committee may allocate all or any portion of its responsibilities and powers under the Plan to any one or more of its members, the Chief Executive Officer, or other senior members of management as the Committee deems appropriate. Per the terms of the awards, employees receiving awards will have all of the rights of a stockholder with respect to the unvested restricted shares including, but not limited to, the right to receive such cash dividends, if any, as may be declared on such shares from time to time and the right to vote such shares at any meeting of stockholders of the Company.
	The Plan made available up to 0.9 million shares for the purpose of making restricted stock grants to eligible officers and employees of the Company. During December 2011, 0.4 million shares were granted to employees and no additional shares were granted during 2012. During the three month period ended September 30, 2013 there were no new grants of shares under the Plan. During the nine month period ended September 30, 2013 there was a new grant of 2,000 shares to an employee. The original shares granted under the Plan are service based awards beginning December 14, 2011 and 20% of the awards vest each June 1st through 2016. The new grant during 2013 is a service based award beginning June 24, 2013 and 33.3% of the award vests each June 1st through 2016. Once vested, there are no other restrictions on the awards. Compensation expense associated with these awards is based on the market value of the Company's stock on the grant date. The Company's market closing price on December 14, 2011 and June 24, 2013, grant dates, was $13.57 and $13.86 respectively. There were no significant assumptions made in determining the fair value. Compensation expense associated with restricted stock awards is included in salaries, wages and benefits in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income. Compensation expense associated with restricted stock awards was $0.2 million, $0.4 million, $0.8 million, and $2.0 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Unrecognized compensation expense was $1.5 million at September 30, 2013. Unrecognized compensation expense will be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.8 years from the grant date of December 14, 2011 and total period of 4.5 years.
	The following tables summarize the Company's restricted stock award activity for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and September 30, 2012.
		Three months ended September 30, 2013
		Number of Shares of Restricted Stock Awards (in thousands)		Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
	Unvested at beginning of period	203		$	13.57
	Granted	—		—
	Vested	—		—
	Forfeited	(4.2	)	13.57
	Outstanding (unvested) at end of period	198.8		$	13.57
		Nine months ended September 30, 2013
		Number of Shares of Restricted Stock Awards (in thousands)		Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
	Unvested at beginning of period	276.8		$	13.57
	Granted	2		13.86
	Vested	(67.0	)	—
	Forfeited	(13.0	)	13.57
	Outstanding (unvested) at end of period	198.8		$	13.57
		Three months ended September 30, 2012
		Number of Shares of Restricted Stock Awards (in thousands)		Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
	Unvested at beginning of period	280.8		13.57
	Granted	—		—
	Vested	—		—
	Forfeited	(4.0	)	13.57
	Outstanding (unvested) at end of period	276.8		13.57
		Nine months ended September 30, 2012
		Number of Shares of Restricted Stock Awards (in thousands)		Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
	Unvested at beginning of period	351		$	13.57
	Granted	—		—
	Vested	(70.2	)	—
	Forfeited	(4.0	)	13.57
	Outstanding (unvested) at end of period	276.8		$	13.57

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	Income Taxes
	Deferred income taxes are determined based upon the differences between the financial reporting and tax basis of the Company’s assets and liabilities.  Deferred taxes are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled.
	The Company recognizes the effect of income tax positions only if those positions are more likely than not of being sustained.  Recognized income tax positions are measured at the largest amount that is greater than 50% likely of being realized. Changes in recognition or measurement are reflected in the period in which the change in judgment occurs.  The Company records interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in income tax expense. The Company had recorded a valuation allowance of $0.1 million and $0.4 million at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 related to the Company’s deferred tax asset associated specifically with unrealized losses on auction rate securities. This valuation allowance was recorded as the Company does not have historical capital gains nor does it expect to generate capital gains sufficient to utilize the entire deferred tax asset generated by the fair value adjustment.  As the fair value adjustment was recorded through accumulated other comprehensive loss, the associated valuation allowance was also recorded through accumulated other comprehensive loss.  The above mentioned allowance did not impact the consolidated statement of comprehensive income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012. The Company has not recorded a valuation allowance against any other deferred tax assets.  In management’s opinion, it is more likely than not that the Company will be able to utilize these deferred tax assets in future periods as a result of the Company’s history of profitability, taxable income, and reversal of deferred tax liabilities.
	At September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, the Company had a total of $13.2 million and $15.7 million in gross unrecognized tax benefits, respectively.  Of this amount, $8.5 million and $10.1 million represents the amount of unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized, would impact our effective tax rate as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012.  Unrecognized tax benefits were a net decrease of $1.2 million, an increase of $0.4 million, and net decrease of $2.5 million and $1.1 million during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively. The decreases were due mainly to the expiration of certain statutes of limitation net of additions as well as $1.5 million in settlements during the three and nine periods ended September 30, 2013.  These decreases, except the settlements which represented payments of previous accruals, had the effect of reducing the effective state tax rate during these respective periods. The total net amount of accrued interest and penalties for such unrecognized tax benefits was $6.5 million and $7.4 million at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 and is included in income taxes payable per the consolidated balance sheet.  Net interest and penalties included in income tax expense for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 was a benefit of approximately $0.2 million, $0.2 million, $0.9 million and $1.1 million, respectively. Income tax expense is increased each period for the accrual of interest on outstanding positions and penalties when the uncertain tax position is initially recorded. Income tax expense is reduced in periods by the amount of accrued interest and penalties associated with reversed uncertain tax positions due to lapse of applicable statute of limitations, when applicable or when a position is settled. Income tax expense was reduced during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 due to reversals of interest and penalties due to lapse of applicable statute of limitations, net of additions for interest and penalty accruals during the same periods. Accrued penalties and interest associated with settlements did not impact income tax expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013. These unrecognized tax benefits relate to risks associated with state income tax filing positions for the Company’s corporate subsidiaries.
	A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits is as follows:
		2013
		(in thousands)
	Balance at January 1,	$	15,723
	Additions based on tax positions related to current year	616
	Additions for tax positions of prior years	616
	Reductions for tax positions of prior years	(300		)
	Reductions due to lapse of applicable statute of limitations	(1,984		)
	Settlements	(1,466		)
	Balance at September 30,	$	13,205
	A number of years may elapse before an uncertain tax position is audited and ultimately settled. It is difficult to predict the ultimate outcome or the timing of resolution for uncertain tax positions. It is reasonably possible that the amount of unrecognized tax benefits could significantly increase or decrease within the next twelve months. These changes could result from the expiration of the statute of limitations, examinations or other unforeseen circumstances. The Company does not have any outstanding litigation related to tax matters.  At this time, management’s best estimate of the reasonably possible change in the amount of gross unrecognized tax benefits to be a decrease of approximately $0.5 million to $1.5 million during the next twelve months mainly due to the expiration of certain statute of limitations, net of additions.  The federal statute of limitations remains open for the years 2010 and forward. Tax years 2003 and forward are subject to audit by state tax authorities depending on the tax code and administrative practice of each state.

Commitments_and_Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	Commitments and Contingencies
	The Company is a party to ordinary, routine litigation and administrative proceedings incidental to its business. These proceedings primarily involve claims for personal injury, property damage, cargo, and workers’ compensation incurred in connection with the transportation of freight. The Company maintains insurance to cover liabilities arising from the transportation of freight for amounts in excess of certain self-insured retentions.
	The total estimated purchase commitments for tractors, net of estimated tractor sale commitments, at September 30, 2013, including amounts in accounts payable at September 30, 2013, was $56.3 million.

Subsequent_Events

Subsequent Events	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Subsequent Events [Abstract]	'
Subsequent Events [Text Block]	'
	Subsequent Events
	The Company has evaluated events occurring subsequent to September 30, 2013 through the filing date of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for disclosure.

Basis_of_Presentation_Policies

Basis of Presentation (Policies)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Basis of Presentation [Abstract]	'
Consolidation, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Basis of Presentation
	The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the parent company, Heartland Express, Inc., and its subsidiaries, all of which are wholly owned. All material intercompany items and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements of Heartland Express, Inc. and subsidiaries (the “Company”) have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by U.S. generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all normal, recurring adjustments considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. The consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes for the year ended December 31, 2012 included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K of the Company filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 28, 2013. Interim results of operations are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year or any other interim periods. There were no changes to the Company's significant accounting policies during the nine month period ended September 30, 2013 other than detailed in the Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements below.
Use of Estimates, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Use of Estimates
	The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period.  Actual results could differ from those estimates. There were no significant changes in estimates and assumptions used by management related to our critical accounting policies during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 other than a change in estimate related to the depreciation of tractor revenue equipment. See Note 6.
Segment Reporting, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Segment Information
	The Company has eleven regional operating divisions, in addition to operations at the Company's corporate headquarters; however, it has determined that it has one reportable segment. The operating divisions are operated out of our ten office locations including our corporate headquarters. All of the divisions are managed based on similar economic characteristics. Each of the regional operating divisions provides short-to-medium haul truckload carrier services of general commodities to a similar class of customers. In addition, each division exhibits similar financial performance, including average revenue per mile and operating ratio. As a result of the foregoing, the Company has determined that it is appropriate to aggregate its operating divisions into one reportable segment, consistent with the authoritative accounting guidance on disclosures about segments of an enterprise and related information. Accordingly, the Company has not presented separate segment financial information.
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Cash equivalents are short-term, highly liquid investments with insignificant interest rate risk and original maturities of three months or less at acquisition.
Marketable Securities, Held-to-maturity Securities, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Municipal bonds of $1.4 million at September 30, 2013 and $1.3 million at December 31, 2012 are stated at amortized cost, are classified as held-to-maturity and are included in restricted cash in other non-current assets. Differences between amortized cost and fair value of municipal bonds are not considered material.
Marketable Securities, Available-for-sale Securities, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	All of the Company’s short-term and long-term investment balances at September 30, 2013, $11.4 million at par, were invested in tax free, auction rate student ("ARS") loan educational bonds that are classified as available-for-sale and, therefore, are carried at fair value on the financial statements
Property, Plant and Equipment, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Property, Equipment, and Depreciation
	Property and equipment are reported at cost, net of accumulated depreciation. Maintenance and repairs are charged to operations as incurred.   Tires are capitalized separately from revenue equipment and are reported separately as “Prepaid Tires” in the consolidated balance sheets and amortized over two years.  Depreciation expense of $0.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 and $0.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 has been included in communication and utilities in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income. Depreciation for financial statement purposes is computed by the straight-line method for all assets other than tractors.  The Company recognizes depreciation expense on tractors at 125% declining balance. Tractors are depreciated to salvage values of $15,000 while trailers are depreciated to salvage values of $4,000.
	Effective July 1, 2013, the Company adjusted its depreciation estimate for tractors to the 125% declining balance method from the 150% declining balance method to better reflect the estimated trade value of the tractors at the estimated trade date as well as better match the expense of tractor ownership with a tractors declining value over the estimated useful life of the asset. Under the declining balance method, depreciation for each tractor is highest in the first year and declines in each year throughout the useful life.  Changing to the 125% declining balance method from the 150% declining balance method increased operating income and decreased depreciation expense by approximately $2.1 million during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013.
Earnings Per Share, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Earnings per Share
	Basic earnings per share are based upon the weighted average common shares outstanding during each period.  Diluted earnings per share is based on the basic weighted earnings per share with additional weighted common shares for common stock equivalents. During the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and September 30, 2012 the Company had shares of restricted stock outstanding related to shares granted under the 2011 Restricted Stock Award Plan. A reconciliation of the numerator (net income) and denominator (weighted average number of shares outstanding of the basic and diluted earnings per share ("EPS")) for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and September 30, 2012 is as follows (in thousands, except per share data):
		Three months ended September 30, 2013
		Net Income (numerator)		Shares (denominator)	Per Share Amount
	Basic EPS	$	15,868	84,837	$	0.19
	Effect of restricted stock	—		201
	Diluted EPS	$	15,868	85,038	$	0.19
		Three months ended September 30, 2012
		Net Income (numerator)		Shares (denominator)	Per Share Amount
	Basic EPS	$	12,434	85,646	$	0.15
	Effect of restricted stock	—		279
	Diluted EPS	$	12,434	85,925	$	0.14
		Nine months ended September 30, 2013
		Net Income (numerator)		Shares (denominator)	Per Share Amount
	Basic EPS	54,740		84,799	0.65
	Effect of restricted stock	—		242
	Diluted EPS	$	54,740	85,041	$	0.64
		Nine months ended September 30, 2012
		Net Income (numerator)		Shares (denominator)	Per Share Amount
	Basic EPS	$	47,249	86,189	$	0.55
	Effect of restricted stock	—		319
	Diluted EPS	$	47,249	86,508	$	0.55
Income Tax, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Deferred income taxes are determined based upon the differences between the financial reporting and tax basis of the Company’s assets and liabilities.  Deferred taxes are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled.
Income Tax Uncertainties, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	The Company recognizes the effect of income tax positions only if those positions are more likely than not of being sustained.  Recognized income tax positions are measured at the largest amount that is greater than 50% likely of being realized. Changes in recognition or measurement are reflected in the period in which the change in judgment occurs.  The Company records interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in income tax expense.
Subsequent Events, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Subsequent Events
	The Company has evaluated events occurring subsequent to September 30, 2013 through the filing date of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for disclosure.

Investments_and_Fair_Value_Mea1

Investments and Fair Value Measurements (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Investments and Fair Value Measurements [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities Reconciliation [Table Text Block]	'
	The fair value of available-for-sale investments at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 were as follows:
					Gross			Gross
		Amortized			Unrealized			Unrealized		Fair
		Cost			Gains			Losses		Value
		( in thousands)
	September 30, 2013
	Current
	Auction rate student loan educational bonds	$	6,850		—			$	—	$	6,850
	Long-term:
	Auction rate student loan educational bonds	$	4,575		$	—		$	230	$	4,345
		$	11,425		$	—		$	230	$	11,195
	December 31, 2012
	Long-term:
	Auction rate student loan educational bonds	$	21,300		$	—		$	1,284	$	20,016
Investments Classified by Contractual Maturity Date [Table Text Block]	'
		Fair Value			Amortized Cost
		(in thousands)
	Due within one year	$	6,850		$	6,850
	Due after one year through five years	—			—
	Due after five years through ten years	—			—
	Due after ten years through May 1, 2040	4,345			4,575
		$	11,195		$	11,425
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Table Text Block]	'
	The table below presents a rollforward for all assets and liabilities, measured at fair value, on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012.
		Available-for-sale
		debt securities
		(in thousands)
		2013			2012
	Balance, January 1	$	20,016		$	50,569
	Settlements	(9,875		)	(31,325		)
	Purchases	—			—
	Issuances	—			—
	Sales	—			—
	Transfers in to (out of) Level 3	—			—
	Total gains or losses (realized/unrealized):
	Included in earnings	—			—
	Included in other comprehensive income, net of tax	1,054			1,797
	Balance, September 30,	$	11,195		$	21,041

Earnings_per_Share_Tables

Earnings per Share (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Calculation of Numerator and Denominator in Earnings Per Share [Table Text Block]	'
	A reconciliation of the numerator (net income) and denominator (weighted average number of shares outstanding of the basic and diluted earnings per share ("EPS")) for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and September 30, 2012 is as follows (in thousands, except per share data):
		Three months ended September 30, 2013
		Net Income (numerator)		Shares (denominator)	Per Share Amount
	Basic EPS	$	15,868	84,837	$	0.19
	Effect of restricted stock	—		201
	Diluted EPS	$	15,868	85,038	$	0.19
		Three months ended September 30, 2012
		Net Income (numerator)		Shares (denominator)	Per Share Amount
	Basic EPS	$	12,434	85,646	$	0.15
	Effect of restricted stock	—		279
	Diluted EPS	$	12,434	85,925	$	0.14
		Nine months ended September 30, 2013
		Net Income (numerator)		Shares (denominator)	Per Share Amount
	Basic EPS	54,740		84,799	0.65
	Effect of restricted stock	—		242
	Diluted EPS	$	54,740	85,041	$	0.64
		Nine months ended September 30, 2012
		Net Income (numerator)		Shares (denominator)	Per Share Amount
	Basic EPS	$	47,249	86,189	$	0.55
	Effect of restricted stock	—		319
	Diluted EPS	$	47,249	86,508	$	0.55

StockBased_Compensation_Tables

Stock-Based Compensation (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Stock-Based Compensation [Abstract]	'
Disclosure of Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award [Table Text Block]	'
	The following tables summarize the Company's restricted stock award activity for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and September 30, 2012.
		Three months ended September 30, 2013
		Number of Shares of Restricted Stock Awards (in thousands)		Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
	Unvested at beginning of period	203		$	13.57
	Granted	—		—
	Vested	—		—
	Forfeited	(4.2	)	13.57
	Outstanding (unvested) at end of period	198.8		$	13.57
		Nine months ended September 30, 2013
		Number of Shares of Restricted Stock Awards (in thousands)		Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
	Unvested at beginning of period	276.8		$	13.57
	Granted	2		13.86
	Vested	(67.0	)	—
	Forfeited	(13.0	)	13.57
	Outstanding (unvested) at end of period	198.8		$	13.57
		Three months ended September 30, 2012
		Number of Shares of Restricted Stock Awards (in thousands)		Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
	Unvested at beginning of period	280.8		13.57
	Granted	—		—
	Vested	—		—
	Forfeited	(4.0	)	13.57
	Outstanding (unvested) at end of period	276.8		13.57
		Nine months ended September 30, 2012
		Number of Shares of Restricted Stock Awards (in thousands)		Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
	Unvested at beginning of period	351		$	13.57
	Granted	—		—
	Vested	(70.2	)	—
	Forfeited	(4.0	)	13.57
	Outstanding (unvested) at end of period	276.8		$	13.57

Income_Taxes_Tables

Income Taxes (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Reconciliation of Unrecognized Tax Benefits [Table Text Block]	'
	A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits is as follows:
		2013
		(in thousands)
	Balance at January 1,	$	15,723
	Additions based on tax positions related to current year	616
	Additions for tax positions of prior years	616
	Reductions for tax positions of prior years	(300		)
	Reductions due to lapse of applicable statute of limitations	(1,984		)
	Settlements	(1,466		)
	Balance at September 30,	$	13,205

Basis_of_Presentation_Recently

Basis of Presentation Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Unrealized Holding Gain (Loss) on Securities Arising During Period, Net of Tax	$454	$0	$1,054	$1,797

Segment_Information_Details

Segment Information (Details)	Sep. 30, 2013
	locations
	segments
	divisions
Segment Information [Abstract]	'
Number of Regional Operating Divisions	11
Numer of Segments	1
Number of Office Locations	10

Cash_and_Cash_Equivalents_Deta

Cash and Cash Equivalents (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents	$9.30	$9.10

Investments_and_Fair_Value_Mea2

Investments and Fair Value Measurements (Details) (USD $)	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		67 Months Ended
	Nov. 07, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Feb. 14, 2008
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Basis of Tested Impact on Securities	'	0.50%	'	0.50%	'	0.50%	'	'
Held-to-maturity Securities	'	$1,400,000	'	$1,400,000	'	$1,400,000	$1,300,000	'
Amortized Cost and Fair Value of Investments	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Amortized Cost	'	11,425,000	'	11,425,000	'	11,425,000	'	198,500,000
Gross Unrealized Gains	'	0	'	0	'	0	'	'
Gross Unrealized Losses	'	230,000	'	230,000	'	230,000	'	'
Fair Value	'	11,195,000	'	11,195,000	'	11,195,000	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities, Amortized Cost Basis, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities, within One Year, Fair Value	'	6,850,000	'	6,850,000	'	6,850,000	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities, within One Year, Amortized Cost Basis	'	6,850,000	'	6,850,000	'	6,850,000	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities, after One Through Five Years, Fair Value	'	0	'	0	'	0	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities, after One Through Five Years, Amortized Cost Basis	'	0	'	0	'	0	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities, after Five Through Ten Years, Fair Value	'	0	'	0	'	0	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities, after Five Through Ten Years, Amortized Cost Basis	'	0	'	0	'	0	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities, after Ten Years, Fair Value	'	4,345,000	'	4,345,000	'	4,345,000	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities, after Ten Years, Amortized Cost Basis	'	4,575,000	'	4,575,000	'	4,575,000	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Fair value, beginning of period	11,195,000	'	'	20,016,000	50,569,000	'	'	'
Settlements	'	'	'	-9,875,000	-31,325,000	'	'	'
Purchases	'	'	'	0	0	'	'	'
Issuances	'	'	'	0	0	'	'	'
Sales	'	'	'	0	0	'	'	'
Transfers in to (out of) Level 3	'	'	'	0	0	'	'	'
Total gains or losses (realized/unrealized) included in earnings	'	'	'	0	0	'	'	'
Total gains or losses (realized/unrealized) included in other comprehensive income, net of tax	'	'	'	'	1,797,000	'	'	'
Fair value, end of period	'	11,195,000	21,041,000	11,195,000	21,041,000	11,195,000	'	'
Maturity and calls of investments	'	'	'	-9,875,000	-31,325,000	'	'	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Available-for-sale Securities Adjustment, Net of Tax	'	-200,000	'	-200,000	'	-200,000	'	'
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Unrealized Holding Gain (Loss) on Securities Arising During Period, Net of Tax	'	454,000	0	1,054,000	1,797,000	'	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Realized Gain (Loss)	'	0	0	0	0	'	'	'
Proceeds from Maturities, Prepayments and Calls of Available-for-sale Securities	6,900,000	100,000	'	9,875,000	31,325,000	193,900,000	'	'
Auction Rate Student Loan Educational Bonds Current [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Amortized Cost and Fair Value of Investments	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Amortized Cost	'	6,850,000	'	6,850,000	'	6,850,000	'	'
Gross Unrealized Gains	'	0	'	0	'	0	'	'
Gross Unrealized Losses	'	0	'	0	'	0	'	'
Fair Value	'	6,850,000	'	6,850,000	'	6,850,000	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Amortized Cost and Fair Value of Investments	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Amortized Cost	'	11,425,000	'	11,425,000	'	11,425,000	'	'
Fair Value	'	11,195,000	'	11,195,000	'	11,195,000	'	'
Auction rate student loan educational bonds long-term	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Amortized Cost and Fair Value of Investments	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Amortized Cost	'	4,575,000	'	4,575,000	'	4,575,000	21,300,000	'
Gross Unrealized Gains	'	0	'	0	'	0	0	'
Gross Unrealized Losses	'	230,000	'	230,000	'	230,000	1,284,000	'
Fair Value	'	$4,345,000	'	$4,345,000	'	$4,345,000	$20,016,000	'

Property_Equipment_and_Depreci1

Property, Equipment, and Depreciation (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Property, Plant and Equipment	'	'	'	'
Amortization Period of Tires	'	'	'2 years	'
Depreciation	$15,117,000	$14,250,000	$47,112,000	$42,184,000
Change in Accounting Estimate, Financial Effect	'2100	'	'2100	'
Communications and Utilities Expense [Member]	'	'	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment	'	'	'	'
Depreciation	200,000	200,000	500,000	500,000
Tractors [Member]	'	'	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment	'	'	'	'
Property, Plant, and Equipment, Salvage Value	15,000	'	15,000	'
Trailers [Member]	'	'	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment	'	'	'	'
Property, Plant, and Equipment, Salvage Value	$4,000	'	$4,000	'

Earnings_per_Share_Details

Earnings per Share (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Earnings Per Share, Diluted, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Net Income	$15,868	$12,434	$54,740	$47,249
Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Basic	84,837	85,646	84,799	86,189
Earnings Per Share, Basic	$0.19	$0.15	$0.65	$0.55
Dilutive Securities, Effect on Basic Earnings Per Share, Including Options and Restrictive Stock Units	$0	$0	$0	$0
Incremental Common Shares Attributable to Share-based Payment Arrangements	201	279	242	319
Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted	85,038	85,925	85,041	86,508
Earnings Per Share, Diluted	$0.19	$0.14	$0.64	$0.55

Stockholders_Equity_Details

Stockholders' Equity (Details)	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2001
Common Stock Repurchase Authorized	'	'	'
Stock Repurchase Shares Authorized	3,200,000	3,200,000	15,400,000
Treasury Stock, Shares, Acquired	0	0	'

Stockholders_Equity_Dividends_

Stockholders' Equity Dividends Paid (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Dividends, Common Stock	($1,700)	($1,700)	($5,102)	($5,200)

StockBased_Compensation_Detail

Stock-Based Compensation (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended	35 Months Ended	54 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	31-May-16	31-May-16	Jul. 11, 2011
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Stock-based Compensation	$200,000	$400,000	($806,000)	($2,000,000)	'	'	'	'
Restricted Stock Shares Authorized	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	900,000
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Restricted Stock Award, Gross	'	'	'	'	400,000	'	'	'
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Total Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized	$1,500,000	'	$1,500,000	'	'	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$13.57	$13.57	$13.57	$13.57	$13.57	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested [Roll Forward]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Unvested at beginning of period, Number of Restricted Stock Awards (in shares)	203,000	280,800	276,800	351,000	'	'	'	'
Unvested at beginning of period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value (in dollars)	$13.57	$13.57	$13.57	$13.57	'	$13.86	$13.57	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period	0	0	2,000	0	'	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	$0	$0	$13.86	$0	'	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Vested in Period	0	0	-67,000	-70,200	'	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Vested in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	$0	$0	$0	$0	'	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Forfeited in Period	-4,200	-4,000	-13,000	-4,000	'	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Forfeited in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	$13.57	$13.57	$13.57	$13.57	'	'	'	'
Outstanding (unvested) at end of period, Number of Restricted Stock Awards (in shares)	198,800	276,800	198,800	276,800	351,000	'	'	'
Outstanding (unvested) at end of period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value (in dollars)	$13.57	$13.57	$13.57	$13.57	$13.57	'	'	'
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Total Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized, Period for Recognition (in years)	'	'	'	'	'1 year 9 months 22 days	'	'4 years 5 months 15 days	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Rights	'	'	'	'	'	'.333	'.20	'

Income_Taxes_Details

Income Taxes (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012
Income Tax Contingency	'	'	'	'	'
PortionOfTaxBenefitRecordedPositionsMoreLikelyThanNotToBeSustained	'	'	50.00%	'	'
Income Tax Uncertainties [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'
Unrecognized Tax Benefits that Would Impact Effective Tax Rate	$8,500,000	'	$8,500,000	'	$10,100,000
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Period Increase (Decrease)	-1,200,000	-2,500,000	400,000	-1,100,000	'
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Income Tax Penalties and Interest Accrued	6,500,000	'	6,500,000	'	7,400,000
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Income Tax Penalties and Interest Expense	-200,000	-900,000	-200,000	-1,100,000	'
Significant Change in Unrecognized Tax Benefits is Reasonably Possible, Estimated Range of Change, Lower Bound	-500,000	'	-500,000	'	'
Significant Change in Unrecognized Tax Benefits is Reasonably Possible, Estimated Range of Change, Upper Bound	-1,500,000	'	-1,500,000	'	'
Reconciliation of Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Excluding Amounts Pertaining to Examined Tax Returns [Roll Forward]	'	'	'	'	'
Balance beginning of period	'	'	15,723,000	'	'
Additions based on tax positions related to current year	'	'	616,000	'	'
Additions for tax positions of prior years	'	'	616,000	'	'
Reductions for tax positions of prior years	'	'	-300,000	'	'
Reductions due to lapse of applicable statute of limitations	'	'	-1,984,000	'	'
Settlements	1,466,000	'	1,466,000	'	'
Balance end of period	13,205,000	'	13,205,000	'	'
Valuation Allowance [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'
Valuation Allowance, Amount	$100,000	'	$100,000	'	$400,000

Commitments_and_Contingencies_

Commitments and Contingencies (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Purchase Commitment, Excluding Long-term Commitment	'
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation	$56.30