Business Organization	12 Months Ended
Business Organization	Dec. 31, 2011
Business Organization [Abstract]
Business Organization	1. BUSINESS ORGANIZATION Quality Distribution, Inc. (the "Company", "QDI", or "we") and its subsidiaries are engaged primarily in transportation of bulk chemicals in North America. We are the largest provider of intermodal ISO tank container and depot services in North America through our wholly owned subsidiary, Boasso America Corporation ("Boasso"), which also includes Greensville Transport Company ("Greensville"). In 2011, we entered the gas and oil frac shale energy markets, providing logistics services to these markets through our wholly owned subsidiaries, QC Energy Resources, Inc. and QC Energy Resources, LLC, collectively ("QCER"). We conduct a significant portion of our business through a network of independent affiliates and independent owner-operators. Independent affiliates are companies which enter into various term contracts with the Company. Independent affiliates are responsible for paying for their own power equipment (including debt service), fuel and other operating costs. Most of the independent affiliates lease trailers from us. Independent owner-operators are independent contractors, who, through a contract with us, supply one or more tractors and drivers for our use. Contracts with independent owner-operators may be terminated by either party on short notice. We charge independent affiliates and third parties for the use of tractors and trailers as necessary. In exchange for the services rendered, independent affiliates and independent owner-operators are normally paid a percentage of the revenues collected on each load hauled.

The entire disclosure for the organization, consolidation and basis of presentation of financial statements disclosure, and significant accounting policies of the reporting entity. May be provided in more than one note to the financial statements, as long as users are provided with an understanding of (1) the significant judgments and assumptions made by an enterprise in determining whether it must consolidate a VIE and/or disclose information about its involvement with a VIE, (2) the nature of restrictions on a consolidated VIE's assets reported by an enterprise in its statement of financial position, including the carrying amounts of such assets, (3) the nature of, and changes in, the risks associated with an enterprise's involvement with the VIE, and (4) how an enterprise's involvement with the VIE affects the enterprise's financial position, financial performance, and cash flows. Describes procedure if disclosures are provided in more than one note to the financial statements.

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