Bryan Cave LLP
3500 One Kansas City Place
1200 Main Street
Kansas City, MO 64105-2100

October 1, 1996

OTR Express, Inc.
804 N. Meadowbrook Drive
Olathe, Kansas 66062

Re:   OTR Express, Inc. 1996 Directors' Stock Option Plan (the "Plan") 
      Registration Statement on Form S-8

Ladies/Gentlemen:

We are writing as counsel for OTR Express, Inc. (the
"Corporation") in connection with the above-captioned
Registration Statement on Form S-8 to which this opinion is filed
as an exhibit (the "Registration Statement") which registers under
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, ten thousand (10,000)
shares of Common Stock of the Corporation (the "Shares") which
may be purchased pursuant to the exercise of options granted
pursuant to the Plan.

As counsel for the Corporation, we are familiar with its Articles
of Incorporation, as amended, and Bylaws, as amended.  We are
also familiar with the corporate proceedings taken by the
Corporation in connection with the authorization of the Plan.  In
rendering this opinion we have examined and relied upon such
corporate records of the Corporation and such other documents,
instruments, and certificates of public officials and officers and
representatives of the Corporation as we have considered
relevant, necessary or appropriate for purposes of rendering this
opinion.

Based upon the foregoing, it is our opinion that:

1.The Corporation is duly organized, existing and in good
standing under the laws of the State of Kansas.

2.The Shares to which the Registration Statement relates, when
sold in accordance with the provisions of the Plan, will be legally
issued, fully paid and non-assessable.


We hereby consent to the use of our name in the Registration
Statement and to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit thereto. 
In giving this consent, we do not hereby admit that we are experts
with respect to any part of the Registration Statement within the
meaning of the term "expert" as used in the Securities Act of
1933 or the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange
Commission promulgated thereunder.  


Very truly yours,

Bryan Cave LLP