Exhibit 99.1

***FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE***

Saia, Inc. Reports Fourth Quarter 2010 Results
Revenues were $224 million, an increase of 11% from prior year quarter

JOHNS CREEK, GA — January 31, 2011 — Saia, Inc. (NASDAQ: SAIA), a leading multi-regional less-than-truckload (“LTL”) carrier (the “Company”), today reported fourth quarter 2010 results. Earnings per share were $0.04 compared to losses of $0.31 from continuing operations in the prior year quarter. Fourth quarter revenue was $224 million, up 11 percent from the prior year quarter, reflecting enhanced yield and increased tonnage. Operating income was $1.8 million compared to the prior year quarter operating loss of $3.6 million from continuing operations. Fourth quarter 2009 results included $3.9 million in reduced expenses due to a change in vacation policy.

Fourth quarter 2010 highlights include:

	•		LTL tonnage per workday increased 6.1% over the prior year quarter
	•		LTL yield increased 5.4% over the prior year quarter due to pricing actions and increased fuel surcharge
	•		Operating ratio was 99.2 vs. 101.8 in the prior year quarter, which included the impact of the favorable vacation adjustment equating to 1.9 operating points
	•		Recognition of alternative fuel tax credit of $0.06 per share.

“Our continued focus on measured pricing actions contributed to meaningful improvement in operating results and cash flow compared to the difficult environment of 2009. The combination of tonnage growth, increasing yield and Saia’s continued aggressive cost performance resulted in a significant improvement in our fourth quarter operating ratio. While margins remain short of historical levels and targeted returns, I am directionally pleased with the progress and encouraged by identified opportunities and industry fundamentals as we move into 2011,” said Rick O’Dell, President and Chief Executive Officer.

Revenue for the full year 2010 was $903 million, an increase of 6 percent from 2009. Operating income for 2010 was $12.1 million, compared with an operating loss of $3.7 million from continuing operations in 2009. Net income was $2.0 million in 2010 compared to a loss of $9.0 million from continuing operations in 2009. Earnings per share were $0.12 in 2010 compared to losses per share of $0.67 from continuing operations in 2009.

2010 highlights are summarized as follows:

	•		LTL tonnage per workday increased 2.9% over 2009
	•		LTL yield increased 2.9% over 2009 primarily due to the impact of higher fuel surcharge
	•		Operating ratio from continuing operations was 98.7 vs. 100.4 in the prior year.

Saia, Inc. Fourth-Quarter 2010 Earnings
Page 2

“During 2010, we continued to focus on our core strategy of building density, customer satisfaction and cost reduction supported by engineered process improvements. I am pleased that improving market fundamentals and customer recognition of our quality service has permitted us to achieve meaningful pricing improvement, particularly in the second half of 2010. I believe we are in the early stages of this yield recovery and expect continued near-term progress. We feel that Saia’s broad coverage, strong service offering, effective marketing, focused pricing discipline and consistent cost execution provide a solid foundation for long-term profitable growth and increased shareholder and customer value as industry dynamics improve,” O’Dell said.

Financial Position and Capital Expenditures

Total debt was $90.0 million at December 31, 2010. Net of the Company’s $29.0 million cash balance at December 31, 2010, net debt to total capital was 22.8 percent. This compares to total debt of $90.0 million and net debt to total capital of 28.6 percent at December 31, 2009.

Net capital expenditures for 2010 were $3 million. This compares to $8 million of capital expenditures in 2009. The Company is planning net capital expenditures in 2011 of approximately $45 million. This level reflects a return to Saia’s normal replacement cycle for tractors and continued investment in technology. This capital expenditure outlook may be reevaluated as tonnage improves or for opportunistic purchases.

Conference Call

Management will hold a conference call to discuss fourth-quarter results today at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time. To participate in the call, please dial 1-800-776-9057 or 913-312-9321 referencing conference ID #4878983. Callers should dial in five to ten minutes in advance of the conference call. This call will be webcast live via the company web site at www.saia.com. A replay of the call will be offered two hours after the completion of the call through February 7, 2011 at 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time. The replay will be available by dialing 1-888-203-1112 or 719-457-0820.

The webcast is also being distributed over CCBN’s Investor Distribution Network to both institutional and individual investors. Individual investors can listen to the call through CCBN’s individual investor center at www.companyboardroom.com or by visiting any of the investor sites in CCBN’s Individual Investor Network. Institutional investors can access the call via CCBN’s password-protected event management site, StreetEvents (www.streetevents.com).

Saia, Inc. (NASDAQ: SAIA) is a less-than-truckload provider of regional, interregional and guaranteed services covering 34 states. With headquarters in Georgia and a network of 147 terminals, the carrier employs 7,500 people. For more information, please visit the Investor Relations section of the website at www.saia.com.

The Securities and Exchange Commission encourages companies to disclose forward-looking information so that investors can better understand the future prospects of a company and make informed investment decisions. This news release contains these types of statements which are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.

Saia, Inc. Fourth-Quarter 2010 Earnings
Page 3

Words such as “anticipate,” “estimate,” “expect,” “project,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “predict,” “believe,” “should” and similar words or expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and the Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements reflect the present expectation of future events of our management as of the date of this news release and are subject to a number of important factors, risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in any forward-looking statements. These factors, risks, assumptions and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, general economic conditions including downturns in the business cycle; the creditworthiness of our customers and their ability to pay for services; competitive initiatives and pricing pressures, including in connection with fuel surcharge; the Company’s need for capital and uncertainty of the current credit markets; the possibility of defaults under the Company’s debt agreements (including violation of financial covenants); possible issuance of equity which would dilute stock ownership; indemnification obligations associated with the 2006 sale of Jevic Transportation, Inc.; the effect of litigation including class action lawsuits; cost and availability of qualified drivers, fuel, purchased transportation, real property, revenue equipment and other assets; governmental regulations, including but not limited to Hours of Service, engine emissions, the Comprehensive Safety Analysis 2010, compliance with legislation requiring companies to evaluate their internal control over financial reporting, changes in interpretation of accounting principles and Homeland Security; dependence on key employees; inclement weather; labor relations, including the adverse impact should a portion of the Company’s workforce become unionized; effectiveness of Company-specific performance improvement initiatives; terrorism risks; self-insurance claims and other expense volatility; increased costs as a result of recently enacted healthcare reform legislation and other financial, operational and legal risks and uncertainties detailed from time to time in the Company’s SEC filings. As a result of these and other factors, no assurance can be given as to our future results and achievements. A forward looking statement is neither a prediction nor a guarantee of future events or circumstances and those future events or circumstances may not occur.

# # #

CONTACT:

Saia, Inc. Renée McKenzie, Treasurer RMcKenzie@Saia.com 678.542.3910

Saia, Inc. and Subsidiary
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Amounts in thousands)
(Unaudited)

		December 31,				December 31,
		2010				2009
ASSETS
CURRENT ASSETS:
Cash and cash equivalents		$	29,045			$	8,746
Accounts receivable, net			94,569				87,507
Prepaid expenses and other			29,882				38,300
Total current assets			153,496				134,553
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT:
Cost			610,572				615,803
Less: accumulated depreciation			319,634				292,443
Net property and equipment			290,938				323,360
OTHER ASSETS			7,723				8,513
Total assets		$	452,157			$	466,426
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
Accounts payable		$	37,745			$	46,997
Wages and employees’ benefits			19,101				18,793
Other current liabilities			31,777				36,981
Current portion of long-term debt			17,143				—
Total current liabilities			105,766				102,771
OTHER LIABILITIES:
Long-term debt, less current portion			72,857				90,000
Deferred income taxes			39,077				41,867
Claims, insurance and other			28,099				29,107
Total other liabilities			140,033				160,974
SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY:
Common stock			16				16
Additional paid-in capital			202,751				201,041
Deferred compensation trust			(2,727	)			(2,737	)
Retained earnings			6,318				4,361
Total shareholders’ equity			206,358				202,681
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity		$	452,157			$	466,426

Saia, Inc. and Subsidiary
Consolidated Statements of Operations
For the Quarters and Years Ended December 31, 2010 and 2009
(Amounts in thousands, except per share data)
(Unaudited)

		Fourth Quarters								Years
		2010				2009				2010				2009
OPERATING REVENUE		$	224,432			$	202,400			$	902,660			$	849,141
OPERATING EXPENSES:
Salaries, wages and employees’ benefits			119,014				115,106				481,197				486,473
Purchased transportation			19,796				15,358				80,859				64,728
Fuel, operating expenses and supplies			60,502				51,546				233,771				197,108
Operating taxes and licenses			9,301				8,708				36,981				35,465
Claims and insurance			5,377				5,796				21,870				29,812
Depreciation and amortization			8,686				9,523				36,159				39,342
Operating gains, net			(48	)			(45	)			(277	)			(94	)
Total operating expenses			222,628				205,992				890,560				852,834
OPERATING INCOME (LOSS)			1,804				(3,592	)			12,100				(3,693	)
NONOPERATING EXPENSES:
Interest expense			2,375				3,786				10,602				12,156
Other, net			(88	)			(47	)			(435	)			(208	)
Nonoperating expenses, net			2,287				3,739				10,167				11,948
INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAXES			(483	)			(7,331	)			1,933				(15,641	)
Income tax benefit			(1,188	)			(3,040	)			(24	)			(6,605	)
INCOME (LOSS) FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS			705				(4,291	)			1,957				(9,036	)
Income from discontinued operations, net			—				1,161								1,161
NET INCOME (LOSS)		$	705			$	(3,130	)		$	1,957			$	(7,875	)
Average common shares outstanding — basic			15,730				13,976				15,713				13,423
Average common shares outstanding — diluted			16,135				13,976				16,115				13,423
Basic earnings (loss) per share-continuing operations		$	0.04			$	(0.31	)		$	0.12			$	(0.67	)
Basic earnings per share-discontinued operations			—				0.09				—				0.08
Basic earnings (loss) per share		$	0.04			$	(0.22	)		$	0.12			$	(0.59	)
Diluted earnings (loss) per share-continuing operations		$	0.04			$	(0.31	)		$	0.12			$	(0.67	)
Diluted earnings per share-discontinued operations			—				0.09				—				0.08
Diluted earnings (loss) per share		$	0.04			$	(0.22	)		$	0.12			$	(0.59	)

Saia, Inc. and Subsidiary
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
For the Years Ended December 31, 2010 and 2009
(Amounts in thousands)
(Unaudited)

		Years
		2010				2009
OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net cash provided by operating activities		$	23,386			$	14,088
Net cash provided by operating activities			23,386				14,088
INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Acquisition of property and equipment			(3,815	)			(8,362	)
Proceeds from disposal of property and equipment			560				788
Net cash used in investing activities			(3,255	)			(7,574	)
FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Repayment of long-term debt			—				(46,500	)
Net proceeds from sale of common stock			—				24,868
Proceeds from stock option exercises			168				296
Payment of debt issuance costs			—				(3,493	)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities			168				(24,829	)
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS			20,299				(18,315	)
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF PERIOD			8,746				27,061
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF PERIOD		$	29,045			$	8,746

Saia, Inc. and Subsidiary
Financial Information
For the Quarters Ended December 31, 2010 and 2009
(Amounts in thousands)
(Unaudited)

																		Fourth Quarter
						Fourth Quarter								%				Amount/Workday								%
						2010				2009				Change				2010				2009				Change
Workdays																			61				62
Operating ratio							99.2	%			101.8	%
F/S Revenue		LTL					207,716				188,756				10.0				3,405.2				3,044.4				11.8
		TL					16,715				13,645				22.5				274.0				220.1				24.5
		Total					224,432				202,400				10.9				3,679.2				3,264.5				12.7
Revenue excluding		LTL					207,426				188,376				10.1				3,400.4				3,038.3				11.9
revenue recognition		TL					16,692				13,616				22.6				273.6				219.6				24.6
adjustment		Total					224,118				201,992				11.0				3,674.1				3,257.9				12.8
Tonnage		LTL					863				827				4.4				14.15				13.33				6.1
		TL					166				149				11.4				2.73				2.41				13.2
		Total					1,030				976				5.5				16.88				15.74				7.2
Shipments		LTL					1,536				1,508				1.8				25.17				24.32				3.5
		TL					24				21				10.9				0.39				0.34				12.7
		Total					1,559				1,529				2.0				25.56				24.67				3.6
Revenue/cwt.		LTL					12.01				11.40				5.4
		TL					5.02				4.56				10.0
		Total					10.88				10.35				5.2
Revenue/shipment		LTL					135.08				124.92				8.1
		TL					708.01				640.61				10.5
		Total					143.74				132.08				8.8
Pounds/shipment		LTL					1,124				1,096				2.6
		TL					14,110				14,050				0.4
		Total					1,321				1,276				3.5