| Cover | 12 Months Ended |
| Dec. 31, 2023 | |
| Document Information [Line Items] | |
| Document Type | PRE 14A |
| Amendment Flag | false |
| Entity Information [Line Items] | |
| Entity Registrant Name | Saia, Inc. |
| Entity Central Index Key | 0001177702 |
| Pay vs Performance Disclosure - USD ($) | 12 Months Ended | |||
| Dec. 31, 2023 | Dec. 31, 2022 | Dec. 31, 2021 | Dec. 31, 2020 | |
| Pay vs Performance Disclosure | ||||
| Pay vs Performance Disclosure, Table | Pay Versus Performance Table Below is information regarding the relationship between executive compensation and our financial performance for each of the fiscal years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, 2021 and 2020. In determining the “compensation actually paid” to our Named Executive Officers, SEC rules require us to make various adjustments to amounts reported in the Summary Compensation Table because the SEC’s valuation methods for this section differ from those required in the Summary Compensation Table. The table below summarizes compensation values reported in our Summary Compensation Table, as well as the adjusted values required in this section by SEC rules. Value of Initial Fixed $100 Investment Based on: Year Summary Compensation Table Total for Current PEO ($)(1) Summary Compensation Table Total for Former PEO ($)(1) Compensation Actually Paid to Current PEO Compensation Actually Paid to Former PEO ($)(2) Average Summary Compensation Table Total for Non-PEO NEOs ($)(1) Average Compensation Actually Paid to Non-PEO NEOs ($)(1)(2) Total Shareholder Return ($) Peer Group Total Shareholder Return ($)(3) Net Income ($) Operating Income ($)(4) 2023 $ 5,730,859 — $ 17,257,547 — $ 2,058,019 $ 5,735,521 $ 470.60 $ 130.87 $ 354,857,000 $ 460,496,000 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 2023 Frederick J. Holzgrefe III Douglas L. Col, Rohit Lal, Raymond R. Ramu, and Patrick D. Sugar 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 2023 Adjustments Current Former Average non- PEO NEOs Current Average non- PEO NEOs Current Average non- PEO NEOs Current Average non- PEO NEOs 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 ) $ (3,382,889 ) $ (1,017,459 ) 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 $ 5,795,923 $ 1,743,218 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 ) $ 7,617,848 $ 2,228,303 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 ) $ 1,495,805 $ 723,440 Deduction of ASC 718 Fair Value of Awards Granted during Prior FY that were Forfeited during Applicable FY, determined as of Prior FY End $ 0 $ 0 $ (121,633 ) $ 0 $ 0 $ 0 $ 0 $ 0 $ 0 TOTAL ADJUSTMENTS $ 7,658,939 $ 13,173,703 $ 1,446,973 $ 11,375,977 $ 4,080,132 $ (7,602,209 ) $ (2,010,637 ) $ 11,526,688 $ 3,677,502 (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 GAAP measure used in the annual cash incentive plan. | |||
| Company Selected Measure Name | operating income | |||
| Named Executive Officers, Footnote | (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 2023 Frederick J. Holzgrefe III Douglas L. Col, Rohit Lal, Raymond R. Ramu, and Patrick D. Sugar 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 | 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 | (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 2023 Adjustments Current Former Average non- PEO NEOs Current Average non- PEO NEOs Current Average non- PEO NEOs Current Average non- PEO NEOs 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 ) $ (3,382,889 ) $ (1,017,459 ) 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 $ 5,795,923 $ 1,743,218 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 ) $ 7,617,848 $ 2,228,303 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 ) $ 1,495,805 $ 723,440 Deduction of ASC 718 Fair Value of Awards Granted during Prior FY that were Forfeited during Applicable FY, determined as of Prior FY End $ 0 $ 0 $ (121,633 ) $ 0 $ 0 $ 0 $ 0 $ 0 $ 0 TOTAL ADJUSTMENTS $ 7,658,939 $ 13,173,703 $ 1,446,973 $ 11,375,977 $ 4,080,132 $ (7,602,209 ) $ (2,010,637 ) $ 11,526,688 $ 3,677,502 | |||
| Non-PEO NEO Average Total Compensation Amount | $ 2,058,019 | $ 1,616,138 | $ 1,563,271 | $ 948,322 |
| Non-PEO NEO Average Compensation Actually Paid Amount | $ 5,735,521 | (394,499) | 5,643,403 | 2,395,295 |
| Adjustment to Non-PEO NEO Compensation Footnote | (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 2023 Adjustments Current Former Average non- PEO NEOs Current Average non- PEO NEOs Current Average non- PEO NEOs Current Average non- PEO NEOs 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 ) $ (3,382,889 ) $ (1,017,459 ) 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 $ 5,795,923 $ 1,743,218 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 ) $ 7,617,848 $ 2,228,303 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 ) $ 1,495,805 $ 723,440 Deduction of ASC 718 Fair Value of Awards Granted during Prior FY that were Forfeited during Applicable FY, determined as of Prior FY End $ 0 $ 0 $ (121,633 ) $ 0 $ 0 $ 0 $ 0 $ 0 $ 0 TOTAL ADJUSTMENTS $ 7,658,939 $ 13,173,703 $ 1,446,973 $ 11,375,977 $ 4,080,132 $ (7,602,209 ) $ (2,010,637 ) $ 11,526,688 $ 3,677,502 | |||
| Compensation Actually Paid vs. Total Shareholder Return | ||||
| Compensation Actually Paid vs. Net Income | ||||
| Compensation Actually Paid vs. Company Selected Measure | ||||
| Tabular List, Table | 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, 2023 to Company performance: Company Selected Measures Operating Income Operating Ratio Total Shareholder Return | |||
| Total Shareholder Return Amount | $ 470.6 | 225.17 | 361.93 | 194.16 |
| Peer Group Total Shareholder Return Amount | 130.87 | 97.55 | 120.41 | 106.29 |
| Net Income (Loss) | $ 354,857,000 | $ 357,422,000 | $ 253,235,000 | $ 138,340,000 |
| Company Selected Measure Amount | 460,496,000 | 470,488,000 | 335,141,000 | 180,321,000 |
| Measure:: 1 | ||||
| Pay vs Performance Disclosure | ||||
| Name | Operating Income | |||
| Non-GAAP Measure Description | The Company selected measure is operating income which is a GAAP measure used in the annual cash incentive plan. | |||
| Measure:: 2 | ||||
| Pay vs Performance Disclosure | ||||
| Name | Operating Ratio | |||
| Measure:: 3 | ||||
| Pay vs Performance Disclosure | ||||
| Name | Total Shareholder Return | |||
| Frederick J Holzgrefe III [Member] | ||||
| Pay vs Performance Disclosure | ||||
| PEO Total Compensation Amount | $ 5,730,859 | $ 4,523,872 | $ 4,937,517 | $ 2,430,138 |
| PEO Actually Paid Compensation Amount | $ 17,257,547 | $ (3,078,337) | $ 16,313,494 | $ 10,089,077 |
| PEO Name | Frederick J. Holzgrefe III | Frederick J. Holzgrefe III | Frederick J. Holzgrefe III | Frederick J. Holzgrefe III |
| Richard D. ODell [Member] | ||||
| Pay vs Performance Disclosure | ||||
| PEO Total Compensation Amount | $ 0 | $ 0 | $ 0 | $ 2,692,691 |
| PEO Actually Paid Compensation Amount | 0 | 0 | 0 | $ 15,866,394 |
| PEO Name | Richard D. O’Dell | |||
| PEO | Frederick J Holzgrefe III [Member] | ||||
| Pay vs Performance Disclosure | ||||
| Adjustment to Compensation, Amount | 11,526,688 | 7,602,209 | 11,375,977 | $ 7,658,939 |
| PEO | Frederick J Holzgrefe III [Member] | Deduction For Amounts Reported Under The Stock Awards And Option Awards Columns In The Summary Compensation Table For Applicable Fy [Member] | ||||
| Pay vs Performance Disclosure | ||||
| Adjustment to Compensation, Amount | 3,382,889 | 2,394,308 | 2,386,158 | 1,126,107 |
| PEO | Frederick J Holzgrefe III [Member] | 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 [Member] | ||||
| Pay vs Performance Disclosure | ||||
| Adjustment to Compensation, Amount | 5,795,923 | 1,398,460 | 5,042,837 | 2,839,979 |
| PEO | Frederick J Holzgrefe III [Member] | 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 [Member] | ||||
| Pay vs Performance Disclosure | ||||
| Adjustment to Compensation, Amount | 7,617,848 | 4,315,909 | 8,003,541 | 5,788,843 |
| PEO | Frederick J Holzgrefe III [Member] | 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 [Member] | ||||
| Pay vs Performance Disclosure | ||||
| Adjustment to Compensation, Amount | 1,495,805 | 2,290,452 | 715,757 | 156,224 |
| PEO | Frederick J Holzgrefe III [Member] | Deduction Of Asc 718 Fair Value Of Awards Granted During Prior Fy That Were Forfeited During Applicable Fy Determined As Of Prior Fy End [Member] | ||||
| Pay vs Performance Disclosure | ||||
| Adjustment to Compensation, Amount | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| PEO | Richard D. ODell [Member] | ||||
| Pay vs Performance Disclosure | ||||
| Adjustment to Compensation, Amount | 13,173,703 | |||
| PEO | Richard D. ODell [Member] | Deduction For Amounts Reported Under The Stock Awards And Option Awards Columns In The Summary Compensation Table For Applicable Fy [Member] | ||||
| Pay vs Performance Disclosure | ||||
| Adjustment to Compensation, Amount | 1,957,361 | |||
| PEO | Richard D. ODell [Member] | 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 [Member] | ||||
| Pay vs Performance Disclosure | ||||
| Adjustment to Compensation, Amount | 5,850,426 | |||
| PEO | Richard D. ODell [Member] | 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 [Member] | ||||
| Pay vs Performance Disclosure | ||||
| Adjustment to Compensation, Amount | 8,957,943 | |||
| PEO | Richard D. ODell [Member] | 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 [Member] | ||||
| Pay vs Performance Disclosure | ||||
| Adjustment to Compensation, Amount | 322,695 | |||
| PEO | Richard D. ODell [Member] | Deduction Of Asc 718 Fair Value Of Awards Granted During Prior Fy That Were Forfeited During Applicable Fy Determined As Of Prior Fy End [Member] | ||||
| Pay vs Performance Disclosure | ||||
| Adjustment to Compensation, Amount | 0 | |||
| Non-PEO NEO | ||||
| Pay vs Performance Disclosure | ||||
| Adjustment to Compensation, Amount | 3,677,502 | 2,010,637 | 4,080,132 | 1,446,973 |
| Non-PEO NEO | Deduction For Amounts Reported Under The Stock Awards And Option Awards Columns In The Summary Compensation Table For Applicable Fy [Member] | ||||
| Pay vs Performance Disclosure | ||||
| Adjustment to Compensation, Amount | 1,017,459 | 715,715 | 588,865 | 363,579 |
| Non-PEO NEO | 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 [Member] | ||||
| Pay vs Performance Disclosure | ||||
| Adjustment to Compensation, Amount | 1,743,218 | 459,173 | 1,215,977 | 833,446 |
| Non-PEO NEO | 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 [Member] | ||||
| Pay vs Performance Disclosure | ||||
| Adjustment to Compensation, Amount | 2,228,303 | 1,255,471 | 3,166,405 | 995,686 |
| Non-PEO NEO | 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 [Member] | ||||
| Pay vs Performance Disclosure | ||||
| Adjustment to Compensation, Amount | 723,440 | 498,624 | 286,615 | 103,053 |
| Non-PEO NEO | Deduction Of Asc 718 Fair Value Of Awards Granted During Prior Fy That Were Forfeited During Applicable Fy Determined As Of Prior Fy End [Member] | ||||
| Pay vs Performance Disclosure | ||||
| Adjustment to Compensation, Amount | $ 0 | $ 0 | $ 0 | $ 121,633 |
