SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES Summary of Property and Equipment (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Furniture, fixtures, and equipment	$ 180,233chrw_FurnitureFixturesAndEquipmentGross	$ 168,354chrw_FurnitureFixturesAndEquipmentGross
Buildings	79,981us-gaap_BuildingsAndImprovementsGross	64,639us-gaap_BuildingsAndImprovementsGross
Corporate aircraft	11,334chrw_AircraftGross	11,334chrw_AircraftGross
Leasehold improvements	25,545us-gaap_LeaseholdImprovementsGross	24,489us-gaap_LeaseholdImprovementsGross
Land	14,983us-gaap_Land	15,008us-gaap_Land
Construction in progress	1,612us-gaap_ConstructionInProgressGross	16,971us-gaap_ConstructionInProgressGross
Less accumulated depreciation	(161,217)	(140,092)
Net property and equipment	$ 152,471us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNet	$ 160,703us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNet

Aircraft, Gross

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- Definition

Gross amount as of the balance sheet date of long-lived, depreciable assets that includes furniture, fixtures, and equipment held for productive use.

+ References

No definition available.

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Amount of accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization for physical assets used in the normal conduct of business to produce goods and services.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

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-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

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-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 14

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- Definition

Amount before accumulated depreciation of building structures held for productive use including addition, improvement, or renovation to the structure, including, but not limited to, interior masonry, interior flooring, electrical, and plumbing.

+ References

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Amount of structure or a modification to a structure under construction. Includes recently completed structures or modifications to structures that have not been placed into service.

+ References

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Amount before accumulated depletion of real estate held for productive use, excluding land held for sale.

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- Definition

Amount before accumulated depreciation of additions or improvements to assets held under a lease arrangement.

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Amount after accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization of physical assets used in the normal conduct of business to produce goods and services and not intended for resale. Examples include, but are not limited to, land, buildings, machinery and equipment, office equipment, and furniture and fixtures.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

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