CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Income Statement [Abstract]
Operating revenues	$ 3,289,978	$ 2,734,372	$ 2,372,178
Operating expenses:
Salaries, wages and benefits	1,020,609	895,012	795,847
Fuel	437,299	245,866	157,124
Supplies and maintenance	253,096	206,701	175,842
Taxes and licenses	97,929	96,095	95,746
Insurance and claims	147,365	98,658	109,816
Depreciation and amortization	279,923	267,700	263,286
Rent and purchased transportation	777,464	641,159	519,184
Communications and utilities	15,856	13,460	14,474
Other	(62,639)	(39,425)	13,421
Total operating expenses	2,966,902	2,425,226	2,144,740
Operating income	323,076	309,146	227,438
Other expense (income):
Interest expense	11,828	4,423	4,215
Interest income	(1,731)	(1,211)	(1,634)
Gain on investments in equity securities, net	(12,195)	(40,317)	0
Other	388	236	163
Total other expense (income)	(1,710)	(36,869)	2,744
Income before income taxes	324,786	346,015	224,694
Income tax expense	79,206	84,537	55,616
Net income	245,580	261,478	169,078
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	(4,324)	(2,426)	0
Net income attributable to Werner	$ 241,256	$ 259,052	$ 169,078
Earnings per share:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 3.76	$ 3.84	$ 2.45
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 3.74	$ 3.82	$ 2.44
Weighted-average common shares outstanding:
Basic (in shares)	64,125	67,434	69,018
Diluted (in shares)	64,579	67,855	69,427