Net Loss Per Share - Calculation of Basic and Diluted Net Loss Per Share (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Millions		3 Months Ended						9 Months Ended
		Sep. 30, 2021	Jun. 30, 2021	Mar. 31, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2020	Mar. 31, 2020	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020
Numerator:
Net loss		$ (68)	$ 45	$ (82)	$ (18)	$ (106)	$ (184)	$ (105)	$ (308)
Net loss attributable to non-controlling interests		(36)			(11)			(59)	(200)
Net loss attributable to Carvana Co.		$ (32)			$ (7)			$ (46)	$ (108)
Denominator:
Weighted-average shares of Class A common stock outstanding, basic (in shares)					70,005			81,427	62,244
Weighted-average shares of Class A common stock outstanding, diluted (in shares)					70,005			81,427	62,244
Class A Common Stock
Denominator:
Weighted-average shares of Class A common stock outstanding (in shares)		84,815			70,064			81,468	62,350
Weighted-average shares of Class A common stock outstanding, basic (in shares)	[1]	84,779			70,005			81,427	62,244
Weighted-average shares of Class A common stock outstanding, diluted (in shares)		84,779			70,005			81,427	62,244
Net loss per share of Class A common stock - basic (in dollars per share)		$ (0.38)			$ (0.10)			$ (0.56)	$ (1.73)
Net loss per share of Class A common stock - diluted (in dollars per share)		$ (0.38)			$ (0.10)			$ (0.56)	$ (1.73)
Class A Common Stock | Restricted Stock
Denominator:
Nonvested weighted-average restricted stock awards (in shares)		(36)			(59)			(41)	(106)

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