GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS (Goodwill) (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016 USD ($)
Goodwill by reportable operating segment
Balance at the beginning of the period	$ 96,465
Purchase accounting adjustments	112
Balance at the end of the period	96,577
Premium Logistics (Panther)
Goodwill by reportable operating segment
Balance at the beginning of the period	71,096
Balance at the end of the period	71,096
Household Goods Moving Services (ABF Moving)
Goodwill by reportable operating segment
Balance at the beginning of the period	5,352
Balance at the end of the period	5,352
Transportation Management (ABF Logistics)
Goodwill by reportable operating segment
Balance at the beginning of the period	19,387
Purchase accounting adjustments	112
Balance at the end of the period	19,499
Emergency & Preventative Maintenance (FleetNet)
Goodwill by reportable operating segment
Balance at the beginning of the period	630
Balance at the end of the period	$ 630