EXHIBIT 24

                          SMITHWAY MOTOR XPRESS CORP.

                               Powers of Attorney

         The undersigned directors of Smithway Motor Xpress Corp., a Nevada
corporation, do hereby make, constitute and appoint G. Larry Owens and Douglas
C. Sandvig, and either of them, the undersigned's true and lawful
attorneys-in-fact, with power of substitution, for the undersigned and in the
undersigned's name, place and stead, to sign and affix the undersigned's name
as such director of said Corporation to an Annual Report on Form 10-K or other
applicable form, and all amendments thereto, to be filed by said Corporation
with the Securities and Exchange Commission, Washington, D.C., under the
Securities Act of 1934, as amended, with all exhibits thereto and other
supporting documents, with said Commission, granting unto said
attorneys-in-fact, and either of them, full power and authority to do and
perform any and all acts necessary or incidental to the performance and
execution of the powers herein expressly granted.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the undersigned have hereunto set their
hands as of February 11, 2005.


/s/ Terry G. Christenberry
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Terry G. Christenberry


/s/ Labh S. Hira
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Labh S. Hira


/s/ Herbert D. Ihle
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Herbert D. Ihle


/s/ Marlys L. Smith
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Marlys L. Smith