The minimum percentage of fair market value for incentive stock options.

No definition available.

Name:	awx_MinimumPercentageOfFairMarketValueForIncentiveStockOptionPrice
Namespace Prefix:	awx_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The minimum percentage of fair market value for non-qualified stock options.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	awx_MinimumPercentageOfFairMarketValueForNonQualifiedStockOptionPrice
Namespace Prefix:	awx_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The number of years after options vested that the predetermined vesting price must be reached.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	awx_NumberOfYearsAfterOptionsVestedStockPriceReachPredeterminedVestingPrice
Namespace Prefix:	awx_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of expense for award under share-based payment arrangement. Excludes amount capitalized.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 718
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120381028&loc=d3e5047-113901

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 718
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SAB Topic 14.F)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=115993241&loc=d3e301413-122809

Reference 3: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 718
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (h)(1)(i)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120381028&loc=d3e5070-113901

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of cost not yet recognized for nonvested award under share-based payment arrangement.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognized
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Weighted-average period over which cost not yet recognized is expected to be recognized for award under share-based payment arrangement, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognizedPeriodForRecognition1
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Estimated period over which an employee is required to provide service in exchange for the equity-based payment award, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardRequisiteServicePeriod1
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Period over which grantee's right to exercise award under share-based payment arrangement is no longer contingent on satisfaction of service or performance condition, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days. Includes, but is not limited to, combination of market, performance or service condition.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingPeriod1
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The estimated dividend rate (a percentage of the share price) to be paid (expected dividends) to holders of the underlying shares over the option's term.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedDividendRate
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Number of shares authorized for issuance under share-based payment arrangement.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesAuthorized
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Number of options or other stock instruments for which the right to exercise has lapsed under the terms of the plan agreements.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExpirationsInPeriod
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Net number of share options (or share units) granted during the period.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriod
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Number of options outstanding, including both vested and non-vested options.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 718
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120381028&loc=d3e5070-113901

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 718
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (c)(1)(i)-(ii)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120381028&loc=d3e5070-113901

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Period from grant date that an equity-based award expires, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardExpirationPeriod
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Number of share options (or share units) exercised during the current period.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 718
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (c)(1)(iv)(2)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120381028&loc=d3e5070-113901

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 505
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.3-04)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120397183&loc=d3e187085-122770

Reference 3: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02(28))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120391452&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 4: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02(29))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120391452&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 5: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 505
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109259400&loc=d3e21463-112644

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesStockOptionsExercised
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	srt_TitleOfIndividualAxis=awx_TenPercentShareholdersMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	srt_TitleOfIndividualAxis=awx_OtherEmployeesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_PlanNameAxis=awx_AvalonHoldingsCorporation2009LongTermIncentivePlanMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis=us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	srt_RangeAxis=srt_MinimumMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis=us-gaap_CommonClassAMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_PlanNameAxis=awx_The2019LongtermIncentivePlanMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_PlanNameAxis=awx_AvalonHoldingsCorporation2009LongTermIncentivePlanAnd2019LongTermIncentivePlanMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Note 11 - Long-term Incentive Plan (Details Textual) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended		126 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Apr. 25, 2019	Oct. 06, 2009
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercises in Period (in shares)
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Number, Ending Balance (in shares)	268,000		268,000	688,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Expirations in Period (in shares)	420,000
Minimum Percentage of Fair Market Value for Non-qualified Stock Option Price	100.00%
Share-based Payment Arrangement, Expense	$ 1,000	$ 1,000
Share-based Payment Arrangement, Nonvested Award, Cost Not yet Recognized, Amount, Total	$ 16,000		$ 16,000
Share-based Payment Arrangement, Nonvested Award, Cost Not yet Recognized, Period for Recognition (Year)	4 years 62 days
Ten Percent Shareholders [Member]
Minimum Percentage of Fair Market Value for Incentive Stock Option Price	110.00%
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Expiration Period (Year)	10 years
Other Employees [Member]
Minimum Percentage of Fair Market Value for Incentive Stock Option Price	100.00%
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Expiration Period (Year)	5 years
Avalon Holdings Corporation 2009 Long Term Incentive Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Expiration Period (Year)	10 years
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period (Year)	5 years
Number Of Years After Options Vested, Stock Price Reach Predetermined Vesting Price (Year)	3 years
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Expected Dividend Rate	0.00%
Avalon Holdings Corporation 2009 Long Term Incentive Plan [Member] \| Share-based Payment Arrangement, Option [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Requisite Service Period (Year)	1 year
Avalon Holdings Corporation 2009 Long Term Incentive Plan [Member] \| Share-based Payment Arrangement, Option [Member] \| Minimum [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Requisite Service Period (Year)	180 days
Avalon Holdings Corporation 2009 Long Term Incentive Plan [Member] \| Common Class A [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Shares Authorized (in shares)						1,300,000
The 2019 Long-Term Incentive Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Net of Forfeitures, Total (in shares)			280,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercises in Period (in shares)			12,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Number, Ending Balance (in shares)	268,000		268,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Expirations in Period (in shares)	420,000
The 2019 Long-Term Incentive Plan [Member] \| Common Class A [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Shares Authorized (in shares)					1,300,000
Avalon Holdings Corporation 2009 Long Term Incentive Plan And 2019 Long Term Incentive Plan [Member] \| Common Class A [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Shares Authorized (in shares)					1,300,000