Loss Per Share - Calculation of Basic and Diluted Net Loss Per Share (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended
		Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2018
Numerator:
Net loss		$ (82,596)	$ (52,672)
Net loss attributable to non-controlling interests		54,047	45,629
Dividends on Class A convertible preferred stock		0	(1,345)
Accretion of beneficial conversion feature on Class A convertible preferred stock		0	(1,380)
Net loss attributable to Carvana Co. Class A common stockholders, basic and diluted		$ (28,549)	$ (9,768)
Class A Common Stock
Denominator:
Weighted-average shares of Class A common stock to compute basic and diluted net loss per Class A common share (in shares)	[1]	41,352	18,346
Net loss per share of Class A common stock, basic and diluted (in dollars per share)		$ (0.69)	$ (0.53)
Restricted Awards
Denominator:
Nonvested weighted-average restricted stock awards (in shares)		(280)	(379)
Class A Common Units
Denominator:
Weighted-average shares of Class A common stock outstanding (in shares)		41,632	18,725

[1] Weighted-average shares of Class A common stock outstanding have been adjusted for unvested restricted stock awards.