<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<FilingSummary>
  <Version>3.19.3.a.u2</Version>
  <ProcessingTime/>
  <ReportFormat>html</ReportFormat>
  <ContextCount>291</ContextCount>
  <ElementCount>451</ElementCount>
  <EntityCount>1</EntityCount>
  <FootnotesReported>false</FootnotesReported>
  <SegmentCount>85</SegmentCount>
  <ScenarioCount>0</ScenarioCount>
  <TuplesReported>false</TuplesReported>
  <UnitCount>7</UnitCount>
  <MyReports>
    <Report instance="chrw-20191231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R1.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>0001001 - Document - Cover Page</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.chrobinson.com/role/CoverPage</Role>
      <ShortName>Cover Page</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Cover</MenuCategory>
      <Position>1</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="chrw-20191231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R2.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1001002 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.chrobinson.com/role/CONSOLIDATEDBALANCESHEETS</Role>
      <ShortName>CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>2</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="chrw-20191231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R3.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1002003 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.chrobinson.com/role/CONSOLIDATEDBALANCESHEETSParenthetical</Role>
      <ShortName>CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>3</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="chrw-20191231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R4.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1003004 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.chrobinson.com/role/CONSOLIDATEDSTATEMENTSOFOPERATIONSANDCOMPREHENSIVEINCOME</Role>
      <ShortName>CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>4</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="chrw-20191231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R5.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1004005 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' INVESTMENT</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.chrobinson.com/role/CONSOLIDATEDSTATEMENTSOFSTOCKHOLDERSINVESTMENT</Role>
      <ShortName>CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' INVESTMENT</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>5</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="chrw-20191231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R6.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1005006 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' INVESTMENT (Parenthetical)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.chrobinson.com/role/CONSOLIDATEDSTATEMENTSOFSTOCKHOLDERSINVESTMENTParenthetical</Role>
      <ShortName>CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' INVESTMENT (Parenthetical)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>6</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="chrw-20191231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R7.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1006007 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.chrobinson.com/role/CONSOLIDATEDSTATEMENTSOFCASHFLOWS</Role>
      <ShortName>CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>7</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="chrw-20191231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R8.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2101101 - Disclosure - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.chrobinson.com/role/SUMMARYOFSIGNIFICANTACCOUNTINGPOLICIES</Role>
      <ShortName>SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>8</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="chrw-20191231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R9.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2109102 - Disclosure - GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.chrobinson.com/role/GOODWILLANDOTHERINTANGIBLEASSETS</Role>
      <ShortName>GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>9</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="chrw-20191231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R10.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2116103 - Disclosure - FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.chrobinson.com/role/FAIRVALUEMEASUREMENT</Role>
      <ShortName>FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>10</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="chrw-20191231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R11.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2118104 - Disclosure - FINANCING ARRANGEMENTS</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.chrobinson.com/role/FINANCINGARRANGEMENTS</Role>
      <ShortName>FINANCING ARRANGEMENTS</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>11</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="chrw-20191231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R12.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2122105 - Disclosure - INCOME TAXES</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.chrobinson.com/role/INCOMETAXES</Role>
      <ShortName>INCOME TAXES</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>12</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="chrw-20191231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R13.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2130106 - Disclosure - CAPITAL STOCK AND STOCK AWARD PLANS</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.chrobinson.com/role/CAPITALSTOCKANDSTOCKAWARDPLANS</Role>
      <ShortName>CAPITAL STOCK AND STOCK AWARD PLANS</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>13</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="chrw-20191231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R14.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2144107 - Disclosure - COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.chrobinson.com/role/COMMITMENTSANDCONTINGENCIES</Role>
      <ShortName>COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>14</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="chrw-20191231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R15.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2148108 - Disclosure - ACQUISITIONS</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.chrobinson.com/role/ACQUISITIONS</Role>
      <ShortName>ACQUISITIONS</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>15</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="chrw-20191231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R16.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2152109 - Disclosure - SEGMENT REPORTING</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.chrobinson.com/role/SEGMENTREPORTING</Role>
      <ShortName>SEGMENT REPORTING</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>16</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="chrw-20191231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R17.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2157110 - Disclosure - REVENUE FROM CONTRACTS WITH CUSTOMERS</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.chrobinson.com/role/REVENUEFROMCONTRACTSWITHCUSTOMERS</Role>
      <ShortName>REVENUE FROM CONTRACTS WITH CUSTOMERS</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>17</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="chrw-20191231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R18.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2162111 - Disclosure - LEASES</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.chrobinson.com/role/LEASES</Role>
      <ShortName>LEASES</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>18</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="chrw-20191231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R19.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2168112 - Disclosure - CHANGES IN ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.chrobinson.com/role/CHANGESINACCUMULATEDOTHERCOMPREHENSIVELOSS</Role>
      <ShortName>CHANGES IN ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>19</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="chrw-20191231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R20.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2170113 - Disclosure - RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.chrobinson.com/role/RECENTLYISSUEDACCOUNTINGPRONOUNCEMENTS</Role>
      <ShortName>RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>20</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="chrw-20191231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R21.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2172114 - Disclosure - SUPPLEMENTARY DATA (UNAUDITED)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.chrobinson.com/role/SUPPLEMENTARYDATAUNAUDITED</Role>
      <ShortName>SUPPLEMENTARY DATA (UNAUDITED)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>21</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="chrw-20191231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R22.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2175115 - Disclosure - SCHEDULE II. VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.chrobinson.com/role/SCHEDULEIIVALUATIONANDQUALIFYINGACCOUNTS</Role>
      <ShortName>SCHEDULE II. VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>22</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="chrw-20191231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R23.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2202201 - Disclosure - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.chrobinson.com/role/SUMMARYOFSIGNIFICANTACCOUNTINGPOLICIESPolicies</Role>
      <ShortName>SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Policies</MenuCategory>
      <Position>23</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="chrw-20191231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R24.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2303301 - Disclosure - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.chrobinson.com/role/SUMMARYOFSIGNIFICANTACCOUNTINGPOLICIESTables</Role>
      <ShortName>SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.chrobinson.com/role/SUMMARYOFSIGNIFICANTACCOUNTINGPOLICIES</ParentRole>
      <Position>24</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="chrw-20191231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R25.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2310302 - Disclosure - GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.chrobinson.com/role/GOODWILLANDOTHERINTANGIBLEASSETSTables</Role>
      <ShortName>GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.chrobinson.com/role/GOODWILLANDOTHERINTANGIBLEASSETS</ParentRole>
      <Position>25</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="chrw-20191231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R26.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2319303 - Disclosure - FINANCING ARRANGEMENTS (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.chrobinson.com/role/FINANCINGARRANGEMENTSTables</Role>
      <ShortName>FINANCING ARRANGEMENTS (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.chrobinson.com/role/FINANCINGARRANGEMENTS</ParentRole>
      <Position>26</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="chrw-20191231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R27.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2323304 - Disclosure - INCOME TAXES (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.chrobinson.com/role/INCOMETAXESTables</Role>
      <ShortName>INCOME TAXES (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.chrobinson.com/role/INCOMETAXES</ParentRole>
      <Position>27</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="chrw-20191231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R28.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2331305 - Disclosure - CAPITAL STOCK AND STOCK AWARD PLANS (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.chrobinson.com/role/CAPITALSTOCKANDSTOCKAWARDPLANSTables</Role>
      <ShortName>CAPITAL STOCK AND STOCK AWARD PLANS (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.chrobinson.com/role/CAPITALSTOCKANDSTOCKAWARDPLANS</ParentRole>
      <Position>28</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="chrw-20191231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R29.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2345306 - Disclosure - COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.chrobinson.com/role/COMMITMENTSANDCONTINGENCIESTables</Role>
      <ShortName>COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.chrobinson.com/role/COMMITMENTSANDCONTINGENCIES</ParentRole>
      <Position>29</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="chrw-20191231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R30.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2349307 - Disclosure - ACQUISITIONS (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.chrobinson.com/role/ACQUISITIONSTables</Role>
      <ShortName>ACQUISITIONS (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.chrobinson.com/role/ACQUISITIONS</ParentRole>
      <Position>30</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="chrw-20191231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R31.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2353308 - Disclosure - SEGMENT REPORTING (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.chrobinson.com/role/SEGMENTREPORTINGTables</Role>
      <ShortName>SEGMENT REPORTING (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.chrobinson.com/role/SEGMENTREPORTING</ParentRole>
      <Position>31</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="chrw-20191231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R32.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2358309 - Disclosure - REVENUE FROM CONTRACTS WITH CUSTOMERS (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.chrobinson.com/role/REVENUEFROMCONTRACTSWITHCUSTOMERSTables</Role>
      <ShortName>REVENUE FROM CONTRACTS WITH CUSTOMERS (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.chrobinson.com/role/REVENUEFROMCONTRACTSWITHCUSTOMERS</ParentRole>
      <Position>32</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="chrw-20191231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R33.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2363310 - Disclosure - LEASES (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.chrobinson.com/role/LEASESTables</Role>
      <ShortName>LEASES (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.chrobinson.com/role/LEASES</ParentRole>
      <Position>33</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="chrw-20191231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R34.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2373311 - Disclosure - SUPPLEMENTARY DATA (UNAUDITED) (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.chrobinson.com/role/SUPPLEMENTARYDATAUNAUDITEDTables</Role>
      <ShortName>SUPPLEMENTARY DATA (UNAUDITED) (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.chrobinson.com/role/SUPPLEMENTARYDATAUNAUDITED</ParentRole>
      <Position>34</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="chrw-20191231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R35.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2404401 - Disclosure - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - Narrative (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.chrobinson.com/role/SUMMARYOFSIGNIFICANTACCOUNTINGPOLICIESNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - Narrative (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>35</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="chrw-20191231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R36.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2405402 - Disclosure - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - Depreciation Expense (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.chrobinson.com/role/SUMMARYOFSIGNIFICANTACCOUNTINGPOLICIESDepreciationExpenseDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - Depreciation Expense (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>36</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="chrw-20191231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R37.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2406403 - Disclosure - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - Summary of Property and Equipment (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.chrobinson.com/role/SUMMARYOFSIGNIFICANTACCOUNTINGPOLICIESSummaryofPropertyandEquipmentDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - Summary of Property and Equipment (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>37</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="chrw-20191231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R38.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2407404 - Disclosure - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - Amortization Expense of Purchased and Internally Developed Software (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.chrobinson.com/role/SUMMARYOFSIGNIFICANTACCOUNTINGPOLICIESAmortizationExpenseofPurchasedandInternallyDevelopedSoftwareDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - Amortization Expense of Purchased and Internally Developed Software (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>38</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="chrw-20191231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R39.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2408405 - Disclosure - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - Summary of Purchased and Internally Developed Software (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.chrobinson.com/role/SUMMARYOFSIGNIFICANTACCOUNTINGPOLICIESSummaryofPurchasedandInternallyDevelopedSoftwareDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - Summary of Purchased and Internally Developed Software (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>39</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="chrw-20191231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R40.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2411406 - Disclosure - GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS - Narrative (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.chrobinson.com/role/GOODWILLANDOTHERINTANGIBLEASSETSNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS - Narrative (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>40</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="chrw-20191231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R41.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2412407 - Disclosure - GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS - Change in the Carrying Amount of Goodwill (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.chrobinson.com/role/GOODWILLANDOTHERINTANGIBLEASSETSChangeintheCarryingAmountofGoodwillDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS - Change in the Carrying Amount of Goodwill (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>41</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="chrw-20191231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R42.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2413408 - Disclosure - GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS - Summary of Intangible Assets (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.chrobinson.com/role/GOODWILLANDOTHERINTANGIBLEASSETSSummaryofIntangibleAssetsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS - Summary of Intangible Assets (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>42</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="chrw-20191231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R43.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2414409 - Disclosure - GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS - Amortization Expense of Other Intangible Assets (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.chrobinson.com/role/GOODWILLANDOTHERINTANGIBLEASSETSAmortizationExpenseofOtherIntangibleAssetsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS - Amortization Expense of Other Intangible Assets (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>43</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="chrw-20191231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R44.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2415410 - Disclosure - GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS - Estimated Amortization Expense of Intangible Assets (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.chrobinson.com/role/GOODWILLANDOTHERINTANGIBLEASSETSEstimatedAmortizationExpenseofIntangibleAssetsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS - Estimated Amortization Expense of Intangible Assets (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>44</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="chrw-20191231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R45.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2417411 - Disclosure - FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT - Narrative (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.chrobinson.com/role/FAIRVALUEMEASUREMENTNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT - Narrative (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>45</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="chrw-20191231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R46.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2420412 - Disclosure - FINANCING ARRANGEMENTS - Components of Short-term and Long-term Debt (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.chrobinson.com/role/FINANCINGARRANGEMENTSComponentsofShorttermandLongtermDebtDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>FINANCING ARRANGEMENTS - Components of Short-term and Long-term Debt (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>46</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="chrw-20191231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R47.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2421413 - Disclosure - FINANCING ARRANGEMENTS - Narrative (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.chrobinson.com/role/FINANCINGARRANGEMENTSNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>FINANCING ARRANGEMENTS - Narrative (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>47</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="chrw-20191231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R48.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2424414 - Disclosure - INCOME TAXES - Narrative (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.chrobinson.com/role/INCOMETAXESNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>INCOME TAXES - Narrative (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>48</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="chrw-20191231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R49.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2425415 - Disclosure - INCOME TAXES - Income Before Provision for Income Taxes (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.chrobinson.com/role/INCOMETAXESIncomeBeforeProvisionforIncomeTaxesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>INCOME TAXES - Income Before Provision for Income Taxes (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>49</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="chrw-20191231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R50.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2426416 - Disclosure - INCOME TAXES - Reconciliation of Unrecognized Tax Benefits, excluding Interest and Penalties (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.chrobinson.com/role/INCOMETAXESReconciliationofUnrecognizedTaxBenefitsexcludingInterestandPenaltiesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>INCOME TAXES - Reconciliation of Unrecognized Tax Benefits, excluding Interest and Penalties (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>50</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="chrw-20191231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R51.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2427417 - Disclosure - INCOME TAXES - Components of the Provision for Income Taxes (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.chrobinson.com/role/INCOMETAXESComponentsoftheProvisionforIncomeTaxesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>INCOME TAXES - Components of the Provision for Income Taxes (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>51</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="chrw-20191231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R52.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2428418 - Disclosure - INCOME TAXES - Reconciliation of the Provision for Income Taxes using Statutory Federal Income Tax Rate to the Effective Income Tax Rate (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.chrobinson.com/role/INCOMETAXESReconciliationoftheProvisionforIncomeTaxesusingStatutoryFederalIncomeTaxRatetotheEffectiveIncomeTaxRateDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>INCOME TAXES - Reconciliation of the Provision for Income Taxes using Statutory Federal Income Tax Rate to the Effective Income Tax Rate (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>52</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="chrw-20191231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R53.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2429419 - Disclosure - INCOME TAXES - Deferred Tax Assets (Liabilities) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.chrobinson.com/role/INCOMETAXESDeferredTaxAssetsLiabilitiesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>INCOME TAXES - Deferred Tax Assets (Liabilities) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>53</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="chrw-20191231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R54.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2432420 - Disclosure - CAPITAL STOCK AND STOCK AWARD PLANS - Narrative (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.chrobinson.com/role/CAPITALSTOCKANDSTOCKAWARDPLANSNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>CAPITAL STOCK AND STOCK AWARD PLANS - Narrative (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>54</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="chrw-20191231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R55.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2433421 - Disclosure - CAPITAL STOCK AND STOCK AWARD PLANS - Summary of Total Compensation Expense Recognized in Statements of Operations for Stock-Based Compensation (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.chrobinson.com/role/CAPITALSTOCKANDSTOCKAWARDPLANSSummaryofTotalCompensationExpenseRecognizedinStatementsofOperationsforStockBasedCompensationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>CAPITAL STOCK AND STOCK AWARD PLANS - Summary of Total Compensation Expense Recognized in Statements of Operations for Stock-Based Compensation (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>55</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="chrw-20191231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R56.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2434422 - Disclosure - CAPITAL STOCK AND STOCK AWARD PLANS - Summary of Stock Option Activity (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.chrobinson.com/role/CAPITALSTOCKANDSTOCKAWARDPLANSSummaryofStockOptionActivityDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>CAPITAL STOCK AND STOCK AWARD PLANS - Summary of Stock Option Activity (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>56</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="chrw-20191231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R57.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2435423 - Disclosure - CAPITAL STOCK AND STOCK AWARD PLANS - Intrinsic Value of Options Exercised (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.chrobinson.com/role/CAPITALSTOCKANDSTOCKAWARDPLANSIntrinsicValueofOptionsExercisedDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>CAPITAL STOCK AND STOCK AWARD PLANS - Intrinsic Value of Options Exercised (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>57</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="chrw-20191231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R58.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2436424 - Disclosure - CAPITAL STOCK AND STOCK AWARD PLANS - Summary of Stock Options Grants by First Vesting Date (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.chrobinson.com/role/CAPITALSTOCKANDSTOCKAWARDPLANSSummaryofStockOptionsGrantsbyFirstVestingDateDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>CAPITAL STOCK AND STOCK AWARD PLANS - Summary of Stock Options Grants by First Vesting Date (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>58</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="chrw-20191231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R59.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2437425 - Disclosure - CAPITAL STOCK AND STOCK AWARD PLANS - Assumptions Used in Estimating the Fair Value Per Option (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.chrobinson.com/role/CAPITALSTOCKANDSTOCKAWARDPLANSAssumptionsUsedinEstimatingtheFairValuePerOptionDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>CAPITAL STOCK AND STOCK AWARD PLANS - Assumptions Used in Estimating the Fair Value Per Option (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>59</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="chrw-20191231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R60.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2438426 - Disclosure - CAPITAL STOCK AND STOCK AWARD PLANS - Summary of Unvested Performance-Based Restricted Shares and Restricted Stock Units (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.chrobinson.com/role/CAPITALSTOCKANDSTOCKAWARDPLANSSummaryofUnvestedPerformanceBasedRestrictedSharesandRestrictedStockUnitsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>CAPITAL STOCK AND STOCK AWARD PLANS - Summary of Unvested Performance-Based Restricted Shares and Restricted Stock Units (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>60</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="chrw-20191231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R61.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2439427 - Disclosure - CAPITAL STOCK AND STOCK AWARD PLANS - Summary of Performance-Based Shares and Units by First Vesting Date (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.chrobinson.com/role/CAPITALSTOCKANDSTOCKAWARDPLANSSummaryofPerformanceBasedSharesandUnitsbyFirstVestingDateDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>CAPITAL STOCK AND STOCK AWARD PLANS - Summary of Performance-Based Shares and Units by First Vesting Date (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>61</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="chrw-20191231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R62.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2440428 - Disclosure - CAPITAL STOCK AND STOCK AWARD PLANS - Summary of Unvested Time-Based Restricted Shares and Restricted Stock Units (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.chrobinson.com/role/CAPITALSTOCKANDSTOCKAWARDPLANSSummaryofUnvestedTimeBasedRestrictedSharesandRestrictedStockUnitsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>CAPITAL STOCK AND STOCK AWARD PLANS - Summary of Unvested Time-Based Restricted Shares and Restricted Stock Units (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>62</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="chrw-20191231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R63.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2441429 - Disclosure - CAPITAL STOCK AND STOCK AWARD PLANS - Summary of Fair Value of Full Value Stock Awards Vested (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.chrobinson.com/role/CAPITALSTOCKANDSTOCKAWARDPLANSSummaryofFairValueofFullValueStockAwardsVestedDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>CAPITAL STOCK AND STOCK AWARD PLANS - Summary of Fair Value of Full Value Stock Awards Vested (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>63</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="chrw-20191231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R64.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2442430 - Disclosure - CAPITAL STOCK AND STOCK AWARD PLANS - Summary of Employee Stock Purchase Plan Activity (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.chrobinson.com/role/CAPITALSTOCKANDSTOCKAWARDPLANSSummaryofEmployeeStockPurchasePlanActivityDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>CAPITAL STOCK AND STOCK AWARD PLANS - Summary of Employee Stock Purchase Plan Activity (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>64</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="chrw-20191231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R65.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2443431 - Disclosure - CAPITAL STOCK AND STOCK AWARD PLANS - Share Repurchase Programs Activity (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.chrobinson.com/role/CAPITALSTOCKANDSTOCKAWARDPLANSShareRepurchaseProgramsActivityDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>CAPITAL STOCK AND STOCK AWARD PLANS - Share Repurchase Programs Activity (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>65</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="chrw-20191231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R66.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2446432 - Disclosure - COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES - Defined Contribution Plan Expense, including Matching Contributions (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.chrobinson.com/role/COMMITMENTSANDCONTINGENCIESDefinedContributionPlanExpenseincludingMatchingContributionsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES - Defined Contribution Plan Expense, including Matching Contributions (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>66</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="chrw-20191231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R67.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2447433 - Disclosure - COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES - Narrative (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.chrobinson.com/role/COMMITMENTSANDCONTINGENCIESNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES - Narrative (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>67</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="chrw-20191231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R68.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2450434 - Disclosure - ACQUISITIONS - Narrative (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.chrobinson.com/role/ACQUISITIONSNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>ACQUISITIONS - Narrative (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>68</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="chrw-20191231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R69.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2451435 - Disclosure - ACQUISITIONS - Summary of Identifiable Intangible Assets and Estimated Useful Lives (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.chrobinson.com/role/ACQUISITIONSSummaryofIdentifiableIntangibleAssetsandEstimatedUsefulLivesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>ACQUISITIONS - Summary of Identifiable Intangible Assets and Estimated Useful Lives (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>69</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="chrw-20191231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R70.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2454436 - Disclosure - SEGMENT REPORTING - Narrative (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.chrobinson.com/role/SEGMENTREPORTINGNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>SEGMENT REPORTING - Narrative (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>70</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="chrw-20191231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R71.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2455437 - Disclosure - SEGMENT REPORTING - Summary of Segment Information (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.chrobinson.com/role/SEGMENTREPORTINGSummaryofSegmentInformationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>SEGMENT REPORTING - Summary of Segment Information (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>71</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="chrw-20191231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R72.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2456438 - Disclosure - SEGMENT REPORTING - Total Revenues Based on Location of the Customer and Long-Lived Assets by Geographic Regions (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.chrobinson.com/role/SEGMENTREPORTINGTotalRevenuesBasedonLocationoftheCustomerandLongLivedAssetsbyGeographicRegionsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>SEGMENT REPORTING - Total Revenues Based on Location of the Customer and Long-Lived Assets by Geographic Regions (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>72</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="chrw-20191231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R73.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2459439 - Disclosure - REVENUE FROM CONTRACTS WITH CUSTOMERS - Impact on Consolidated Statements of Operations (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.chrobinson.com/role/REVENUEFROMCONTRACTSWITHCUSTOMERSImpactonConsolidatedStatementsofOperationsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>REVENUE FROM CONTRACTS WITH CUSTOMERS - Impact on Consolidated Statements of Operations (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>73</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="chrw-20191231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R74.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2460440 - Disclosure - REVENUE FROM CONTRACTS WITH CUSTOMERS - Total Revenues Disaggregated by Major Service Line and Timing of Recognition (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.chrobinson.com/role/REVENUEFROMCONTRACTSWITHCUSTOMERSTotalRevenuesDisaggregatedbyMajorServiceLineandTimingofRecognitionDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>REVENUE FROM CONTRACTS WITH CUSTOMERS - Total Revenues Disaggregated by Major Service Line and Timing of Recognition (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>74</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="chrw-20191231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R75.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2461441 - Disclosure - REVENUE FROM CONTRACTS WITH CUSTOMERS - Narrative (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.chrobinson.com/role/REVENUEFROMCONTRACTSWITHCUSTOMERSNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>REVENUE FROM CONTRACTS WITH CUSTOMERS - Narrative (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>75</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="chrw-20191231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R76.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2464442 - Disclosure - LEASES - Narrative (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.chrobinson.com/role/LEASESNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>LEASES - Narrative (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>76</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="chrw-20191231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R77.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2465443 - Disclosure - LEASES - Lease Data (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.chrobinson.com/role/LEASESLeaseDataDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>LEASES - Lease Data (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>77</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="chrw-20191231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R78.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2466444 - Disclosure - LEASES - Maturity of Lease Liabilities (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.chrobinson.com/role/LEASESMaturityofLeaseLiabilitiesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>LEASES - Maturity of Lease Liabilities (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>78</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="chrw-20191231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R79.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2467445 - Disclosure - LEASES - Minimum Future Lease Commitments Under Noncancelable Lease Agreements (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.chrobinson.com/role/LEASESMinimumFutureLeaseCommitmentsUnderNoncancelableLeaseAgreementsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>LEASES - Minimum Future Lease Commitments Under Noncancelable Lease Agreements (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>79</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="chrw-20191231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R80.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2469446 - Disclosure - CHANGES IN ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.chrobinson.com/role/CHANGESINACCUMULATEDOTHERCOMPREHENSIVELOSSDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>CHANGES IN ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.chrobinson.com/role/CHANGESINACCUMULATEDOTHERCOMPREHENSIVELOSS</ParentRole>
      <Position>80</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="chrw-20191231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R81.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2471447 - Disclosure - RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.chrobinson.com/role/RECENTLYISSUEDACCOUNTINGPRONOUNCEMENTSDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.chrobinson.com/role/RECENTLYISSUEDACCOUNTINGPRONOUNCEMENTS</ParentRole>
      <Position>81</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="chrw-20191231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R82.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2474448 - Disclosure - SUPPLEMENTARY DATA (UNAUDITED) - Unaudited Results of Operations by Quarter (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.chrobinson.com/role/SUPPLEMENTARYDATAUNAUDITEDUnauditedResultsofOperationsbyQuarterDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>SUPPLEMENTARY DATA (UNAUDITED) - Unaudited Results of Operations by Quarter (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.chrobinson.com/role/SUPPLEMENTARYDATAUNAUDITEDTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>82</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="chrw-20191231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R83.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2476449 - Disclosure - SCHEDULE II. VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS - Transactions in the Allowance for Doubtful Accounts (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.chrobinson.com/role/SCHEDULEIIVALUATIONANDQUALIFYINGACCOUNTSTransactionsintheAllowanceforDoubtfulAccountsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>SCHEDULE II. VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS - Transactions in the Allowance for Doubtful Accounts (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>83</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <LongName>All Reports</LongName>
      <ReportType>Book</ReportType>
      <ShortName>All Reports</ShortName>
    </Report>
  </MyReports>
  <InputFiles>
    <File doctype="10-K" original="chrw-20191231.htm">chrw-20191231.htm</File>
    <File>a2020incentivestockoptio.htm</File>
    <File>a2020non-usperformanceun.htm</File>
    <File>a2020performancesharesag.htm</File>
    <File>chrw-20191231.xsd</File>
    <File>chrw-20191231_cal.xml</File>
    <File>chrw-20191231_def.xml</File>
    <File>chrw-20191231_lab.xml</File>
    <File>chrw-20191231_pre.xml</File>
    <File>chrw-descriptionofcapi.htm</File>
    <File>chrw10k-ex31112312019.htm</File>
    <File>chrw10k-ex312123119.htm</File>
    <File>chrw10k-ex321123119.htm</File>
    <File>chrw10k-ex322123119.htm</File>
    <File>exhibit212019.htm</File>
    <File>exhibit231.htm</File>
    <File>exhibit2412312019.htm</File>
    <File>keyemployeeagreement2019.htm</File>
    <File>usemployeeagreement2019.htm</File>
    <File>wellschrobinson-amendm.htm</File>
  </InputFiles>
  <SupplementalFiles>
    <File>chrw-20191231_g1.jpg</File>
    <File>chrw-20191231_g2.jpg</File>
  </SupplementalFiles>
  <BaseTaxonomies>
    <BaseTaxonomy>http://xbrl.sec.gov/country/2017-01-31</BaseTaxonomy>
    <BaseTaxonomy>http://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2019-01-31</BaseTaxonomy>
    <BaseTaxonomy>http://fasb.org/srt/2019-01-31</BaseTaxonomy>
    <BaseTaxonomy>http://fasb.org/us-gaap/2019-01-31</BaseTaxonomy>
  </BaseTaxonomies>
  <HasPresentationLinkbase>true</HasPresentationLinkbase>
  <HasCalculationLinkbase>true</HasCalculationLinkbase>
</FilingSummary>
