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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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 1mDKYTSDrlbBofxP+pxt9A==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000863557-04-000001.txt : 20040102
<SEC-HEADER>0000863557-04-000001.hdr.sgml : 20040101
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20040102105249
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000863557-04-000001
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4/A
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20031204
FILED AS OF DATE:		20040102

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			SWIFT TRANSPORTATION CO INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000863557
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	TRUCKING (NO LOCAL) [4213]
		IRS NUMBER:				860666860
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			NV
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		2200 SOUTH 75TH AVENUE
		CITY:			PHOENIX
		STATE:			AZ
		ZIP:			85043
		BUSINESS PHONE:		6022699700

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		2200 SOUTH 75TH AVENUE
		CITY:			PHOENIX
		STATE:			AZ
		ZIP:			85043

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			STARNES MICHAEL S
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000903874

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4/A
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-18605
		FILM NUMBER:		04500356

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O UNION PLANTERS CORP
		STREET 2:		6200 POPLAR AVE
		CITY:			MEMPHIS
		STATE:			TN
		ZIP:			38119
		BUSINESS PHONE:		9015805769

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O UNION PLANTERS CORP
		STREET 2:		6200 POPLAR AVE
		CITY:			MEMPHIS
		STATE:			TN
		ZIP:			38119
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4/A
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>

<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4/A</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2003-12-04</periodOfReport>

    <dateOfOriginalSubmission>2003-12-05</dateOfOriginalSubmission>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000863557</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>SWIFT TRANSPORTATION CO INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>swft</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0000903874</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>STARNES MICHAEL S</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O UNION PLANTERS CORP</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>6200 POPLAR AVE</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>MEMPHIS</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>TN</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>38119</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>President &amp; CEO of Subsidiary</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>

        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2003-12-04</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>M</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>102000</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>12.79</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>3159241</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>

    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">To reflect the accurate number of securities beneficially owned following the reported transaction.</footnote>
    </footnotes>


    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Michael S. Starnes</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-01-02</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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