Roadway Shareholders Approve All Proposals; Board Declares Dividend

    AKRON, Ohio--March 28, 2001--The shareholders of Roadway Express, Inc. today voted to elect all nominees proposed for election to the Board of Directors. They are Frank P. Doyle, John F. Fiedler, Dale F. Frey, Phillip J. Meek, Carl W. Schafer, Sarah Roush Werner and Michael W. Wickham. The shareholders also retained Ernst & Young, LLP as auditors for the year ending December 31, 2001.
    In his comments to shareholders, Michael W. Wickham, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, discussed the current economic environment. "The economy is much slower this year than last year. Everyone knows that. We see that as an opportunity to prove that an old economy company like ours is flexible and responsive enough to continue to generate a profit by controlling costs, offering a quality product and selling hard against all competition."
    Commenting on the Company's strategy to meet the needs of the market, Wickham stated, "Regional distribution is growing faster than long-haul distribution. We are exploring ways to present products that will allow us to capitalize on that growth."
    During the Annual Meeting, three dockworkers were honored for their thirty or more injury-free years of service to the Company. James Bass, 56, domiciled in Cincinnati, OH.; Kenneth Raup, Sr., 58, domiciled in Harrisburg, PA.; and Edward Weinberger, 55, domiciled in Laurel, MD. They were also honored at a celebration at the Company's headquarters for their professionalism and commitment to safety for Roadway.
    In a separate meeting, the Board of Directors declared a cash dividend of $0.05 per share on the Company's common stock. The dividend is payable on June 1, 2001 to shareholders of record on May 11, 2001.
    While most of the information provided herein is historical, some of the comments made are forward-looking statements. The Company's actual performance may differ from that forecast as a result of variable factors such as the state of the national economy, capacity and rate levels in the motor freight industry, fuel prices, and the success of the Company's operating plans. These forward-looking statements reflect management's analysis only as of the date of this release. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly revise these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that arise after the date hereof. In addition to the disclosure contained herein, readers should carefully review risks and uncertainties contained in other documents the Company files from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
    Included on the Dow Jones Transportation Average, Roadway Express, Inc. is a leading transporter of industrial and commercial goods with a variety of innovative services designed to meet customer needs. Roadway, an ISO 9002 certified carrier, provides seamless service between all 50 states, Canada, Mexico and Puerto Rico with export services to 66 countries. The Company is dedicated to being the most reliable, responsive, efficient-and safe-carrier in the industry. For more information, contact the Company at www.roadway.com.