CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY AND TEMPORARY EQUITY - REDEEMABLE NONCONTROLLING INTEREST - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Total	Common Stock	Paid-In Capital	Retained Earnings	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	Treasury Stock
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2021	$ 1,327,550	$ 805	$ 121,904	$ 1,667,104	$ (20,604)	$ (441,659)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income attributable to Werner	181,090			181,090
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	0
Other comprehensive income (loss)	7,169				7,169
Purchases of common stock	(110,400)					(110,400)
Dividends on common stock	(24,267)			(24,267)
Equity compensation activity	(3,704)		(3,978)			274
Non-cash equity compensation expense	9,120		9,120
Ending balance at Sep. 30, 2022	1,386,558	805	127,046	1,823,927	(13,435)	(551,785)
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2021	35,947
Increase (Decrease) in Temporary Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	3,479
Distribution to noncontrolling interest	(750)
Ending balance at Sep. 30, 2022	38,676
Beginning balance at Jun. 30, 2022	1,343,872	805	124,065	1,777,092	(14,584)	(543,506)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income attributable to Werner	55,051			55,051
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	0
Other comprehensive income (loss)	1,149				1,149
Purchases of common stock	(8,287)					(8,287)
Dividends on common stock	(8,216)			(8,216)
Equity compensation activity	(46)		(54)			8
Non-cash equity compensation expense	3,035		3,035
Ending balance at Sep. 30, 2022	1,386,558	805	127,046	1,823,927	(13,435)	(551,785)
Beginning balance at Jun. 30, 2022	38,552
Increase (Decrease) in Temporary Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	874
Distribution to noncontrolling interest	(750)
Ending balance at Sep. 30, 2022	38,676
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2022	1,443,635	805	129,837	1,875,873	(11,292)	(551,588)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income attributable to Werner	88,809			88,809
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	0
Other comprehensive income (loss)	2,642				2,642
Dividends on common stock	(25,988)			(25,988)
Equity compensation activity	(5,554)		(5,470)			(84)
Non-cash equity compensation expense	8,671		8,671
Ending balance at Sep. 30, 2023	1,512,215	805	133,038	1,938,694	(8,650)	(551,672)
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2022	38,699
Increase (Decrease) in Temporary Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	249
Ending balance at Sep. 30, 2023	38,948
Beginning balance at Jun. 30, 2023	1,497,070	805	130,694	1,923,865	(6,623)	(551,671)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income attributable to Werner	23,704			23,704
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	0
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(2,027)				(2,027)
Dividends on common stock	(8,875)			(8,875)
Equity compensation activity	(37)		(36)			(1)
Non-cash equity compensation expense	2,380		2,380
Ending balance at Sep. 30, 2023	1,512,215	$ 805	$ 133,038	$ 1,938,694	$ (8,650)	$ (551,672)
Beginning balance at Jun. 30, 2023	39,148
Increase (Decrease) in Temporary Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	(200)
Ending balance at Sep. 30, 2023	$ 38,948