CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2024	Jun. 30, 2023	Jun. 30, 2024	Jun. 30, 2023
Income Statement [Abstract]
Operating revenues	$ 760,798	$ 811,096	$ 1,529,878	$ 1,643,810
Operating expenses:
Salaries, wages and benefits	259,754	266,373	525,157	534,688
Fuel	71,998	77,740	149,620	169,154
Supplies and maintenance	61,988	64,964	123,763	133,189
Taxes and licenses	25,494	25,408	50,658	50,833
Insurance and claims	31,897	36,806	68,259	73,291
Depreciation and amortization	72,672	74,898	146,942	149,211
Rent and purchased transportation	210,417	217,086	414,342	437,310
Communications and utilities	4,127	4,669	8,833	9,402
Other	2,840	(4,046)	7,105	(13,852)
Total operating expenses	741,187	763,898	1,494,679	1,543,226
Operating income	19,611	47,198	35,199	100,584
Other expense (income):
Interest expense	9,043	8,139	16,991	16,055
Interest income	(1,786)	(1,899)	(3,471)	(3,451)
Loss (gain) on investments in equity securities, net	52	(79)	190	2
Loss from equity method investment	141	844	274	844
Other	30	86	(231)	93
Total other expense, net	7,480	7,091	13,753	13,543
Income before income taxes	12,131	40,107	21,446	87,041
Income tax expense	2,931	10,087	5,998	21,487
Net income	9,200	30,020	15,448	65,554
Net loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interest	265	(139)	329	(449)
Net income attributable to Werner	$ 9,465	$ 29,881	$ 15,777	$ 65,105
Earnings per share:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 0.15	$ 0.47	$ 0.25	$ 1.03
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.15	$ 0.47	$ 0.25	$ 1.02
Weighted-average common shares outstanding:
Basic (in shares)	62,706	63,384	63,089	63,345
Diluted (in shares)	62,860	63,687	63,291	63,689