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 a Registration Statement or Registration
Statements, on Form S-8 or other applicable form, and all amendments, including
post-effective amendments, thereto regarding the Company's 2005 Omnibus Stock
Plan, to be filed by said Corporation with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, Washington, D.C., in connection with the registration under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, of shares of stock of said Company and to
file the same, 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 May 13, 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