Consent of Independent Auditors



The Board of Directors
Smithway Motor Xpress Corp:


We consent to incorporation  by reference in the  registration  statement (No.'s
333-10249,  333-10251,  333-21253,  and 333-81855) on Form S-8 of Smithway Motor
Xpress Corp.  of our report dated June 21, 2002,  relating to the  statements of
net assets  available for plan benefits of Smithway  Motor Xpress,  Inc. 401 (k)
Retirement  Savings and  Investment  Plan as of December 31, 2001 and 2000,  the
related  statements of changes in net assets available for plan benefits for the
years then ended, and related schedule, which report appears in the December 31,
2001 Form 11-K of Smithway Motor Xpress Corp.


                                  /s/ KPMG LLP








Des Moines, Iowa
June 21, 2002