Consolidated Condensed Statement of Shareholders' Equity (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified		Total	Preferred Stock [Member]	Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-In Capital [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Member]
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2013
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Common stock repurchases, shares				(562,683)
Ending balance at Dec. 31, 2014		$ 1,819,474	$ 0	$ 26,520	$ 962,328	$ 1,450,896	$ (620,270)
Ending balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2014		53,039,688		53,039,688
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Comprehensive income		154				52,916	(52,762)
Common stock dividends declared — $0.37 per share		(19,746)				(19,746)
Common stock issued under employee stock option and stock purchase plans	[1]	11,793		170	11,623
Common stock issued under employee stock option and stock purchase plans, shares	[1]			338,009
Benefit plan stock sales	[2]	53		0	53
Benefit plan stock sales, shares	[2]			631
Common stock repurchases		(6,141)		(35)	(1,215)	(4,891)
Common stock repurchases, shares				(69,107)
Share-based compensation		5,665			5,665	0
Tax benefits from share-based compensation		294			294
Ending balance at Mar. 31, 2015		$ 1,811,546	$ 0	$ 26,655	$ 978,748	$ 1,479,175	$ (673,032)
Ending balance, shares at Mar. 31, 2015		53,309,221		53,309,221

[1] Net of common shares delivered as payment for the exercise price or to satisfy the option holders’ withholding tax liability upon exercise of options.

[2] Represents open-market transactions of common shares by the trustee of Ryder’s deferred compensation plans.