USA Truck

Forward-Looking Statement

This information and the statements made at this conference presentation may contain
forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These
statements generally may be identified by their use of terms or phrases such as “expects,”
“estimates,” “anticipates,” “projects,” “believes,” “plans,” “intends,” “may,” “will,” “should,”
“could,” “potential,” “continue,” “future,” and terms or phrases of similar
substance.  Forward-looking statements are based upon the current beliefs and expectations of
our management and are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties, some of which cannot
be predicted or quantified, which could cause future events and actual results to differ
materially from those set forth in, contemplated by, or underlying the forward-looking
statements.  Accordingly, actual results may differ from those set forth in the forward-looking
statements.  Readers should review and consider the factors that may affect future results and
other disclosures by the Company in its reports, Annual Report on Form 10-K, and other filings
with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We disclaim any obligation to update or revise
any forward-looking statements to reflect actual results or changes in the factors affecting the
forward-looking information.  In light of these risks and uncertainties, the forward-looking
events and circumstances discussed in this conference presentation might not occur.

Improved Performance

Vision

Planning

Execution

Why USAK?

Research

Our Stock is Under-Valued

As of January 28, 2009

Price to Book Multiples

Why ROC and EPS?

Financial Performance Correlation to Stock Price

Vision

Planning

Execution

Why USAK?

Research

The VEVA^*Plan

August 2007

December 2013

December 2010

PHASE II – Earnings Growth

^* We call our strategic plan Vision for Economic Value-Added, or VEVA

1.0 x Book Value

2 % ROC

98% O.R.

3.0 x Book Value

10% ROC

89% O.R.

4.0 x Book Value

≥ 10% ROC

≥ 10% EBIT CAGR

< 89% O.R.

The Results We’ll Need

Consistent Earnings

Earn our Cost of Capital

Positioned for Long-Term Growth

How We’ll Do It

Culture (Mission, Core Values)

Project Velocity

War on Accidents

Yield Management

Cost Discipline

Expand Owner Operator Fleet

Improve Brokerage Model

Launch Intermodal Model

Project Tech

Project People

The Results We’ll Need

Sustained Earnings Growth > 10%

Positive Economic Value Added

How We’ll Do It

Intermodal Growth

Brokerage Growth

General Freight Acquisitions

Productivity Gains

Share Repurchases/Dividends

PHASE I – Margin Expansion

Vision

Planning

Execution

Why USAK?

Research

Project Tech

Aging Technology Infrastructure

October 2008

First Quarter 2009

Third Quarter 2009

January 2008

October 2008

January 2008

Third Quarter 2009

First Quarter 2009

Project People

USA Truck 12/31/2007 3.2 : 1

Peer Average 12/31/2007 3.8 : 1

Best-in-Class 12/31/2007 6.0 : 1

USA Truck 12/31/2008 3.9 : 1

Driver to Non-Driver Ratio

A Fresh Operating Strategy

Divergent Business Models

1,190 BPS

270 BPS

Operating Margin Comparison

2007 Average LOH = 829

2007 Average LOH = 550

Velocity Effect

Year-Over-Year Comparison

8.4%

3.6%

1.0%

7.3%

8.6%

Yield Management

Base Revenue per Paid Mile (2000 = 100)

4.7%
CAGR

1.1%
CAGR

Cost Discipline

Operating Cost per Mile^*

* Asset-based operations only for quarter ended September 30, 2008
Source: SEC Documents and USA Truck, Inc.

The War on Accidents

Insurance & Claims

Strategic Capacity Solutions

Freight Brokerage Growth^*

Intermodal Growth^*

*Base Revenue (excludes fuel surcharge) in Thousands

Vision

Planning

Execution

Why USAK?

Research

The Iceberg Theory of Execution

Public Results– The “Tip of the Iceberg” where
everything is clearly visible.

What the press reports; What drives stock value; and
where the uninformed THINK execution occurs

(ROC, EPS, Operating Ratio, Revenue, etc.)

Operational Results – Just below the surface, but still
shallow enough to be visible.

What the analysts focus on; Where the Street THINKS
execution occurs

(Utilization, Revenue per Mile, Empty Miles, Cost per Mile,
Fixed Costs, etc.)

KPI Results– Deep beneath the surface beyond the
visible sunlight.

Where execution ACTUALLY occurs; Take care of
these numbers, and the Public and Operational
Results will take care of themselves!

(Velocity, Yield, Driver Pay, MPG, Owner Operator Count,
Direct Repairs, Mexico Margin, Staff Wages, APMM,
Recruiting Costs & Quality, SCS Revenue & Margin, DSO,
etc.)

Vision

Planning

Execution

Why USAK?

Research

Why Invest In USA Truck?

Substantial operating
leverage with stock
valuation deeply
discounted vs. peers.

Strong core of
management, cost
discipline and customer
base.

Vision and a plan to
create shareholder value.

USA Truck