| Cover | 12 Months Ended |
| Dec. 31, 2022 | |
| Document Information [Line Items] | |
| Document Type | DEF 14A |
| Amendment Flag | false |
| Entity Information [Line Items] | |
| Entity Registrant Name | Saia, Inc. |
| Entity Central Index Key | 0001177702 |
| Pay vs Performance Disclosure | 12 Months Ended | ||
| Dec. 31, 2022 USD ($) | Dec. 31, 2021 USD ($) | Dec. 31, 2020 USD ($) | |
| Pay vs Performance Disclosure [Table] | |||
| Pay vs Performance [Table Text Block] | Pay Versus Performance Table As required by Item 402(v) of Regulation S-K, Value of Initial Fixed Year Summary ($)(1) Summary ($)(1) Compensation ($)(2) Compensation ($)(2) Average Non-PEO Average Non-PEO Total ($) Peer Group ($)(3) Net Income ($) Operating 2022 $ 4,523,872 $ — $ (3,078,337 ) $ — $ 1,616,138 $ (394,499 ) $ 225.17 $ 97.55 $ 357,422,000 $ 470,488,000 2021 $ 4,937,517 $ — $ 16,313,494 $ — $ 1,563,271 $ 5,643,403 $ 361.93 $ 120.41 $ 253,235,000 $ 335,141,000 2020 $ 2,430,138 $ 2,692,691 $ 10,089,077 $ 15,866,394 $ 948,322 $ 2,395,295 $ 194.16 $ 106.29 $ 138,340,000 $ 180,321,000 (1) Our Principal Executive Officer (“PEO”) and the remaining Named Executive Officers for the relevant fiscal year, as determined under SEC rules, are as follows: Year Current PEO Former PEO Non-PEO NEOs 2022 Frederick J. Holzgrefe, III Douglas L. Col, Raymond R. Ramu, Patrick D. Sugar and Anthony Norwood 2021 Frederick J. Holzgrefe, III Douglas L. Col, Raymond R. Ramu, Patrick D. Sugar and Rohit Lal 2020 Frederick J. Holzgrefe, III Richard D. O’Dell Douglas L. Col, Robert S. Chambers, Raymond R. Ramu, Paul C. Peck and Karla J. Staver (2) “Compensation actually paid” to our Named Executive Officers represents the “Total” compensation reported in the Summary Compensation Table for the applicable fiscal year, as adjusted per SEC rules as follows: 2020 2021 2022 Adjustments Current Former Average non- Current Average non- Current Average non- Deduction for Amounts Reported under the “Stock Awards” and “Option Awards” Columns in the Summary Compensation Table for Applicable FY $ (1,126,107 ) $ (1,957,361 ) $ (363,579 ) $ (2,386,158 ) $ (588,865 ) $ (2,394,308 ) $ (715,715 ) Increase based on ASC 718 Fair Value of Awards Granted during Applicable FY that Remain Unvested as of Applicable FY End, determined as of Applicable FY End $ 2,839,979 $ 5,850,426 $ 833,446 $ 5,042,837 $ 1,215,977 $ 1,398,460 $ 459,173 Increase/deduction for Awards Granted during Prior FY that were Outstanding and Unvested as of Applicable FY End, determined based on change in ASC 718 Fair Value from Prior FY End to Applicable FY End $ 5,788,843 $ 8,957,943 $ 995,686 $ 8,003,541 $ 3,166,405 $ (4,315,909 ) $ (1,255,471 ) Increase/deduction for Awards Granted during Prior FY that Vested During Applicable FY, determined based on change in ASC 718 Fair Value from Prior FY End to Vesting Date $ 156,224 $ 322,695 $ 103,053 $ 715,757 $ 286,615 $ (2,290,452 ) $ (498,624 ) Deduction of ASC 718 Fair Value of Awards Granted during Prior FY that were Forfeited during Applicable FY, determined as of Prior FY End $ — $ — $ (121,633 ) $ — $ — $ — $ — TOTAL ADJUSTMENTS $ 7,658,939 $ 13,173,703 $ 1,446,973 $ 11,375,977 $ 4,080,132 $ (7,602,209 ) $ (2,010,637 ) (3) For the relevant fiscal year, represents the cumulative total shareholder return of the NASDAQ Transportation Index (the “Peer Group TSR”). (4) The Company selected measure is operating income which is a generally accepted accounting principles measure used in the annual cash incentive plan. | ||
| Company Selected Measure Name | operating income | ||
| Named Executive Officers, Footnote [Text Block] | (1) Our Principal Executive Officer (“PEO”) and the remaining Named Executive Officers for the relevant fiscal year, as determined under SEC rules, are as follows: Year Current PEO Former PEO Non-PEO NEOs 2022 Frederick J. Holzgrefe, III Douglas L. Col, Raymond R. Ramu, Patrick D. Sugar and Anthony Norwood 2021 Frederick J. Holzgrefe, III Douglas L. Col, Raymond R. Ramu, Patrick D. Sugar and Rohit Lal 2020 Frederick J. Holzgrefe, III Richard D. O’Dell Douglas L. Col, Robert S. Chambers, Raymond R. Ramu, Paul C. Peck and Karla J. Staver | ||
| Peer Group Issuers, Footnote [Text Block] | For the relevant fiscal year, represents the cumulative total shareholder return of the NASDAQ Transportation Index (the “Peer Group TSR”). | ||
| Adjustment To PEO Compensation, Footnote [Text Block] | (2) “Compensation actually paid” to our Named Executive Officers represents the “Total” compensation reported in the Summary Compensation Table for the applicable fiscal year, as adjusted per SEC rules as follows: 2020 2021 2022 Adjustments Current Former Average non- Current Average non- Current Average non- Deduction for Amounts Reported under the “Stock Awards” and “Option Awards” Columns in the Summary Compensation Table for Applicable FY $ (1,126,107 ) $ (1,957,361 ) $ (363,579 ) $ (2,386,158 ) $ (588,865 ) $ (2,394,308 ) $ (715,715 ) Increase based on ASC 718 Fair Value of Awards Granted during Applicable FY that Remain Unvested as of Applicable FY End, determined as of Applicable FY End $ 2,839,979 $ 5,850,426 $ 833,446 $ 5,042,837 $ 1,215,977 $ 1,398,460 $ 459,173 Increase/deduction for Awards Granted during Prior FY that were Outstanding and Unvested as of Applicable FY End, determined based on change in ASC 718 Fair Value from Prior FY End to Applicable FY End $ 5,788,843 $ 8,957,943 $ 995,686 $ 8,003,541 $ 3,166,405 $ (4,315,909 ) $ (1,255,471 ) Increase/deduction for Awards Granted during Prior FY that Vested During Applicable FY, determined based on change in ASC 718 Fair Value from Prior FY End to Vesting Date $ 156,224 $ 322,695 $ 103,053 $ 715,757 $ 286,615 $ (2,290,452 ) $ (498,624 ) Deduction of ASC 718 Fair Value of Awards Granted during Prior FY that were Forfeited during Applicable FY, determined as of Prior FY End $ — $ — $ (121,633 ) $ — $ — $ — $ — TOTAL ADJUSTMENTS $ 7,658,939 $ 13,173,703 $ 1,446,973 $ 11,375,977 $ 4,080,132 $ (7,602,209 ) $ (2,010,637 ) | ||
| Non-PEO NEO Average Total Compensation Amount | $ 1,616,138 | $ 1,563,271 | $ 948,322 |
| Non-PEO NEO Average Compensation Actually Paid Amount | $ (394,499) | 5,643,403 | 2,395,295 |
| Adjustment to Non-PEO NEO Compensation Footnote [Text Block] | (2) “Compensation actually paid” to our Named Executive Officers represents the “Total” compensation reported in the Summary Compensation Table for the applicable fiscal year, as adjusted per SEC rules as follows: 2020 2021 2022 Adjustments Current Former Average non- Current Average non- Current Average non- Deduction for Amounts Reported under the “Stock Awards” and “Option Awards” Columns in the Summary Compensation Table for Applicable FY $ (1,126,107 ) $ (1,957,361 ) $ (363,579 ) $ (2,386,158 ) $ (588,865 ) $ (2,394,308 ) $ (715,715 ) Increase based on ASC 718 Fair Value of Awards Granted during Applicable FY that Remain Unvested as of Applicable FY End, determined as of Applicable FY End $ 2,839,979 $ 5,850,426 $ 833,446 $ 5,042,837 $ 1,215,977 $ 1,398,460 $ 459,173 Increase/deduction for Awards Granted during Prior FY that were Outstanding and Unvested as of Applicable FY End, determined based on change in ASC 718 Fair Value from Prior FY End to Applicable FY End $ 5,788,843 $ 8,957,943 $ 995,686 $ 8,003,541 $ 3,166,405 $ (4,315,909 ) $ (1,255,471 ) Increase/deduction for Awards Granted during Prior FY that Vested During Applicable FY, determined based on change in ASC 718 Fair Value from Prior FY End to Vesting Date $ 156,224 $ 322,695 $ 103,053 $ 715,757 $ 286,615 $ (2,290,452 ) $ (498,624 ) Deduction of ASC 718 Fair Value of Awards Granted during Prior FY that were Forfeited during Applicable FY, determined as of Prior FY End $ — $ — $ (121,633 ) $ — $ — $ — $ — TOTAL ADJUSTMENTS $ 7,658,939 $ 13,173,703 $ 1,446,973 $ 11,375,977 $ 4,080,132 $ (7,602,209 ) $ (2,010,637 ) | ||
| Compensation Actually Paid vs. Total Shareholder Return [Text Block] | |||
| Compensation Actually Paid vs. Net Income [Text Block] | |||
| Compensation Actually Paid vs. Company Selected Measure [Text Block] | |||
| Tabular List [Table Text Block] | Pay Versus Performance Tabular List We believe the following financial performance measures represent the most important financial performance measures used by us to link compensation actually paid to our Named Executive Officers for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022 to Company performance: Company Selected Measures Operating Income Operating Ratio Total Shareholder Return | ||
| Total Shareholder Return Amount | $ 225.17 | 361.93 | 194.16 |
| Peer Group Total Shareholder Return Amount | 97.55 | 120.41 | 106.29 |
| Net Income (Loss) | $ 357,422,000 | $ 253,235,000 | $ 138,340,000 |
| Company Selected Measure Amount | 470,488,000 | 335,141,000 | 180,321,000 |
| Measure [Axis]: 1 | |||
| Pay vs Performance Disclosure [Table] | |||
| Measure Name | Operating Income | ||
| Non-GAAP Measure Description [Text Block] | The Company selected measure is operating income which is a generally accepted accounting principles measure used in the annual cash incentive plan. | ||
| Measure [Axis]: 2 | |||
| Pay vs Performance Disclosure [Table] | |||
| Measure Name | Operating Ratio | ||
| Measure [Axis]: 3 | |||
| Pay vs Performance Disclosure [Table] | |||
| Measure Name | Total Shareholder Return | ||
| Frederick J. Holzgrefe, III [Member] | |||
| Pay vs Performance Disclosure [Table] | |||
| PEO Total Compensation Amount | $ 4,523,872 | $ 4,937,517 | $ 2,430,138 |
| PEO Actually Paid Compensation Amount | $ (3,078,337) | $ 16,313,494 | $ 10,089,077 |
| PEO Name | Frederick J. Holzgrefe, III | Frederick J. Holzgrefe, III | Frederick J. Holzgrefe, III |
| Richard D. O'Dell [Member] | |||
| Pay vs Performance Disclosure [Table] | |||
| PEO Total Compensation Amount | $ 0 | $ 0 | $ 2,692,691 |
| PEO Actually Paid Compensation Amount | 0 | 0 | $ 15,866,394 |
| PEO Name | Richard D. O’Dell | ||
| PEO [Member] | Frederick J. Holzgrefe, III [Member] | |||
| Pay vs Performance Disclosure [Table] | |||
| Adjustment to Compensation Amount | (7,602,209) | 11,375,977 | $ 7,658,939 |
| PEO [Member] | Frederick J. Holzgrefe, III [Member] | Deduction for Amounts Reported under the "Stock Awards" and "Option Awards" [Member] | |||
| Pay vs Performance Disclosure [Table] | |||
| Adjustment to Compensation Amount | (2,394,308) | (2,386,158) | (1,126,107) |
| PEO [Member] | Frederick J. Holzgrefe, III [Member] | Increase based on ASC 718 Fair Value of Awards Granted during Applicable FY that Remain Unvested [Member] | |||
| Pay vs Performance Disclosure [Table] | |||
| Adjustment to Compensation Amount | 1,398,460 | 5,042,837 | 2,839,979 |
| PEO [Member] | Frederick J. Holzgrefe, III [Member] | Increase/deduction for Awards Granted during Prior FY that were Outstanding and Unvested [Member] | |||
| Pay vs Performance Disclosure [Table] | |||
| Adjustment to Compensation Amount | (4,315,909) | 8,003,541 | 5,788,843 |
| PEO [Member] | Frederick J. Holzgrefe, III [Member] | Increase/deduction for Awards Granted during Prior FY that Vested [Member] | |||
| Pay vs Performance Disclosure [Table] | |||
| Adjustment to Compensation Amount | (2,290,452) | 715,757 | 156,224 |
| PEO [Member] | Frederick J. Holzgrefe, III [Member] | Deduction of ASC 718 Fair Value of Awards Granted during Prior FY that were Forfeited [Member] | |||
| Pay vs Performance Disclosure [Table] | |||
| Adjustment to Compensation Amount | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| PEO [Member] | Richard D. O'Dell [Member] | |||
| Pay vs Performance Disclosure [Table] | |||
| Adjustment to Compensation Amount | 13,173,703 | ||
| PEO [Member] | Richard D. O'Dell [Member] | Deduction for Amounts Reported under the "Stock Awards" and "Option Awards" [Member] | |||
| Pay vs Performance Disclosure [Table] | |||
| Adjustment to Compensation Amount | (1,957,361) | ||
| PEO [Member] | Richard D. O'Dell [Member] | Increase based on ASC 718 Fair Value of Awards Granted during Applicable FY that Remain Unvested [Member] | |||
| Pay vs Performance Disclosure [Table] | |||
| Adjustment to Compensation Amount | 5,850,426 | ||
| PEO [Member] | Richard D. O'Dell [Member] | Increase/deduction for Awards Granted during Prior FY that were Outstanding and Unvested [Member] | |||
| Pay vs Performance Disclosure [Table] | |||
| Adjustment to Compensation Amount | 8,957,943 | ||
| PEO [Member] | Richard D. O'Dell [Member] | Increase/deduction for Awards Granted during Prior FY that Vested [Member] | |||
| Pay vs Performance Disclosure [Table] | |||
| Adjustment to Compensation Amount | 322,695 | ||
| PEO [Member] | Richard D. O'Dell [Member] | Deduction of ASC 718 Fair Value of Awards Granted during Prior FY that were Forfeited [Member] | |||
| Pay vs Performance Disclosure [Table] | |||
| Adjustment to Compensation Amount | 0 | ||
| Non-PEO NEO [Member] | |||
| Pay vs Performance Disclosure [Table] | |||
| Adjustment to Compensation Amount | (2,010,637) | 4,080,132 | 1,446,973 |
| Non-PEO NEO [Member] | Deduction for Amounts Reported under the "Stock Awards" and "Option Awards" [Member] | |||
| Pay vs Performance Disclosure [Table] | |||
| Adjustment to Compensation Amount | (715,715) | (588,865) | (363,579) |
| Non-PEO NEO [Member] | Increase based on ASC 718 Fair Value of Awards Granted during Applicable FY that Remain Unvested [Member] | |||
| Pay vs Performance Disclosure [Table] | |||
| Adjustment to Compensation Amount | 459,173 | 1,215,977 | 833,446 |
| Non-PEO NEO [Member] | Increase/deduction for Awards Granted during Prior FY that were Outstanding and Unvested [Member] | |||
| Pay vs Performance Disclosure [Table] | |||
| Adjustment to Compensation Amount | (1,255,471) | 3,166,405 | 995,686 |
| Non-PEO NEO [Member] | Increase/deduction for Awards Granted during Prior FY that Vested [Member] | |||
| Pay vs Performance Disclosure [Table] | |||
| Adjustment to Compensation Amount | (498,624) | 286,615 | 103,053 |
| Non-PEO NEO [Member] | Deduction of ASC 718 Fair Value of Awards Granted during Prior FY that were Forfeited [Member] | |||
| Pay vs Performance Disclosure [Table] | |||
| Adjustment to Compensation Amount | $ 0 | $ 0 | $ (121,633) |
