CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2025	Dec. 31, 2024	Dec. 31, 2023
Income Statement [Abstract]
Operating revenues	$ 2,974,396	$ 3,030,258	$ 3,283,499
Operating expenses:
Salaries, wages and benefits	1,000,825	1,034,877	1,072,558
Fuel	247,801	275,413	345,001
Supplies and maintenance	248,212	246,061	256,494
Taxes and licenses	90,472	97,230	102,684
Insurance and claims	115,993	145,398	138,516
Depreciation and amortization	286,321	290,405	299,509
Rent and purchased transportation	902,825	844,870	886,284
Communications and utilities	15,863	17,195	18,480
Restructuring and impairment	44,225	0	0
Other	10,202	12,661	(12,443)
Total operating expenses	2,962,739	2,964,110	3,107,083
Operating income (loss)	11,657	66,148	176,416
Other expense (income):
Interest expense	39,053	39,212	33,535
Interest income	(5,634)	(6,898)	(6,701)
Loss (gain) on investments in equity securities	68	(7,930)	278
Loss (earnings) from equity method investment	(656)	(556)	1,046
Other	(385)	(162)	477
Total other expense, net	32,446	23,666	28,635
Income (loss) before income taxes	(20,789)	42,482	147,781
Income tax expense	2,209	8,912	35,491
Net income (loss)	(22,998)	33,570	112,290
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	8,599	663	92
Net income (loss) attributable to Werner	$ (14,399)	$ 34,233	$ 112,382
Earnings (loss) per share:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ (0.24)	$ 0.55	$ 1.77
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ (0.24)	$ 0.55	$ 1.76
Weighted-average common shares outstanding:
Basic (in shares)	60,607	62,450	63,374
Diluted (in shares)	60,607	62,662	63,718