CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2024	Sep. 30, 2023	Sep. 30, 2024	Sep. 30, 2023
Income Statement [Abstract]
Operating revenues	$ 745,701	$ 817,744	$ 2,275,579	$ 2,461,554
Operating expenses:
Salaries, wages and benefits	258,335	268,054	783,492	802,742
Fuel	64,886	90,369	214,506	259,523
Supplies and maintenance	61,548	60,181	185,311	193,370
Taxes and licenses	23,565	25,852	74,223	76,685
Insurance and claims	27,678	31,261	95,937	104,552
Depreciation and amortization	71,584	74,586	218,526	223,797
Rent and purchased transportation	211,667	224,556	626,009	661,866
Communications and utilities	4,186	4,555	13,019	13,957
Other	4,657	430	11,762	(13,422)
Total operating expenses	728,106	779,844	2,222,785	2,323,070
Operating income	17,595	37,900	52,794	138,484
Other expense (income):
Interest expense	11,093	8,661	28,084	24,716
Interest income	(1,834)	(1,727)	(5,305)	(5,178)
Loss on investments in equity securities, net	37	34	227	36
Loss (earnings) from equity method investment	(295)	110	(21)	954
Other	50	284	(181)	377
Total other expense, net	9,051	7,362	22,804	20,905
Income before income taxes	8,544	30,538	29,990	117,579
Income tax expense	2,004	7,034	8,002	28,521
Net income	6,540	23,504	21,988	89,058
Net loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interest	25	200	354	(249)
Net income attributable to Werner	$ 6,565	$ 23,704	$ 22,342	$ 88,809
Earnings per share:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 0.11	$ 0.37	$ 0.36	$ 1.40
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.11	$ 0.37	$ 0.36	$ 1.39
Weighted-average common shares outstanding:
Basic (in shares)	61,808	63,390	62,659	63,360
Diluted (in shares)	62,022	63,737	62,862	63,703