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Cover - USD ($)
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2019
Feb. 21, 2020
Jun. 30, 2019
Document Information [Line Items]      
Document Type 10-K    
Document Annual Report true    
Document Period End Date Dec. 31, 2019    
Document Transition Report false    
Entity File Number 001-14733    
Entity Registrant Name LITHIA MOTORS INC    
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code OR    
Entity Tax Identification Number 93-0572810    
Entity Address, Address Line One 150 N. Bartlett Street    
Entity Address, City or Town Medford    
Entity Address, State or Province OR    
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code 97501    
City Area Code 541    
Local Phone Number 776-6401    
Title of 12(b) Security Class A common stock without par value    
Trading Symbol LAD    
Security Exchange Name NYSE    
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer Yes    
Entity Voluntary Filers No    
Entity Current Reporting Status Yes    
Entity Interactive Data Current Yes    
Entity Shell Company false    
Entity Filer Category Large Accelerated Filer    
Entity Small Business false    
Entity Emerging Growth Company false    
Entity Public Float     $ 2,659,094,000
Documents Incorporated by Reference
The Registrant has incorporated into Part III of Form 10-K, by reference, portions of its Proxy Statement for its 2020 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.
    
Entity Central Index Key 0001023128    
Current Fiscal Year End Date --12-31    
Document Fiscal Year Focus 2019    
Document Fiscal Period Focus FY    
Amendment Flag false    
Class A common stock      
Document Information [Line Items]      
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding   22,724,919  
Class B common stock      
Document Information [Line Items]      
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding   600,000