CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2024	Dec. 31, 2023	Dec. 31, 2022
Income Statement [Abstract]
Operating revenues	$ 3,030,258	$ 3,283,499	$ 3,289,978
Operating expenses:
Salaries, wages and benefits	1,034,877	1,072,558	1,020,609
Fuel	275,413	345,001	437,299
Supplies and maintenance	246,061	256,494	253,096
Taxes and licenses	97,230	102,684	97,929
Insurance and claims	145,398	138,516	147,365
Depreciation and amortization	290,405	299,509	279,923
Rent and purchased transportation	844,870	886,284	777,464
Communications and utilities	17,195	18,480	15,856
Other	12,661	(12,443)	(62,639)
Total operating expenses	2,964,110	3,107,083	2,966,902
Operating income	66,148	176,416	323,076
Other expense (income):
Interest expense	39,212	33,535	11,828
Interest income	(6,898)	(6,701)	(1,731)
Loss (gain) on investments in equity securities, net	(7,930)	278	(12,195)
Loss (earnings) from equity method investment	(556)	1,046	0
Other	(162)	477	388
Total other expense (income)	23,666	28,635	(1,710)
Income before income taxes	42,482	147,781	324,786
Income tax expense	8,912	35,491	79,206
Net income	33,570	112,290	245,580
Net loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interest	663	92	(4,324)
Net income attributable to Werner	$ 34,233	$ 112,382	$ 241,256
Earnings per share:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 0.55	$ 1.77	$ 3.76
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.55	$ 1.76	$ 3.74
Weighted-average common shares outstanding:
Basic (in shares)	62,450	63,374	64,125
Diluted (in shares)	62,662	63,718	64,579