Document and Entity Information - shares	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Apr. 30, 2020
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Period End Date	Mar. 31, 2020
Document Transition Report	false
Entity File Number	1-34370
Entity Registrant Name	WASTE CONNECTIONS, INC.
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	A6
Entity Tax Identification Number	98-1202763
Entity Address, Address Line One	610 Applewood Crescent, 2nd Floor
Entity Address, City or Town	Vaughan
Entity Address, State or Province	ON
Entity Address, Country	CA
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	L4K 0E3
City Area Code	905
Local Phone Number	532-7510
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Shares, no par value
Trading Symbol	WCN
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Common Stock Shares Outstanding		262,891,992
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2020
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Entity Central Index Key	0001318220
Amendment Flag	false