Consolidated Condensed Statement of Shareholders' Equity (Unaudited) - 9 months ended Sep. 30, 2015 - USD ($) $ in Thousands		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, 2014		$ 1,819,087	$ 0	$ 26,520	$ 962,328	$ 1,450,509	$ (620,270)
Beginning balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2014		53,039,688		53,039,688
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Comprehensive income (loss)		$ 163,692				228,567	(64,875)
Common stock dividends declared — $1.15 per share		(61,441)				(61,441)
Common stock issued under employee stock option and stock purchase plans	[1]	20,308		$ 227	20,081
Common stock issued under employee stock option and stock purchase plans, shares	[1]			453,555
Benefit plan stock sales	[2]	89		$ 0	89
Benefit plan stock sales, shares	[2]			961
Common stock repurchases		(6,141)		$ (35)	(1,215)	(4,891)
Common stock repurchases, shares				(69,107.000)
Share-based compensation		16,112			16,112	0
Tax benefits from share-based compensation		358			358
Ending balance at Sep. 30, 2015		$ 1,952,064	$ 0	$ 26,712	$ 997,753	$ 1,612,744	$ (685,145)
Ending balance, shares at Sep. 30, 2015		53,425,097		53,425,097.000

[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.