Document And Entity Information - shares	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021	Oct. 25, 2020
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Central Index Key	0000798287
Entity Registrant Name	PAM TRANSPORTATION SERVICES INC
Amendment Flag	false
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2021
Document Type	10-Q
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2021
Document Transition Report	false
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	DE
Entity File Number	0-1507
Entity Tax Identification Number	71-0633135
Entity Address, Address Line One	297 West Henri De Tonti
Entity Address, City or Town	Tontitown
Entity Address, State or Province	AR
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	72770
City Area Code	479
Local Phone Number	361-9111
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock, $.01 par value
Trading Symbol	PTSI
Security Exchange Name	NASDAQ
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	true
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		11,167,261