Knight-Swift Transportation (KNX) 10-Q 8 Nov 13 2013 Q3 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Nov. 06, 2013	Nov. 06, 2013
		Class A Common Stock [Member]	Class B Common Stock [Member]
Entity Information [Line Items]	'	'	'
Document Type	'10-Q	'	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'	'
Document Period End Date	30-Sep-13	'	'
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2013	'	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'Q3	'	'
Trading Symbol	'SWFT	'	'
Entity Registrant Name	'SWIFT TRANSPORTATION Co	'	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0001492691	'	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--12-31	'	'
Entity Filer Category	'Large Accelerated Filer	'	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	88,165,723	52,495,236

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current assets:	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$51,429	$53,596
Restricted cash	50,376	51,678
Restricted investments, held to maturity, amortized cost	24,175	22,275
Accounts receivable, net	413,077	392,770
Equipment sales receivable	0	563
Income tax refund receivable	25,754	10,046
Inventories and supplies	18,149	17,524
Assets held for sale	9,897	31,544
Prepaid taxes, licenses, insurance and other	65,106	58,903
Deferred income taxes	63,749	98,235
Current portion of notes receivable	6,389	4,957
Total current assets	728,101	742,091
Property and equipment, at cost:	'	'
Revenue and service equipment	2,008,793	1,863,634
Land	124,971	120,442
Facilities and improvements	254,933	250,816
Furniture and office equipment	59,036	51,340
Total property and equipment	2,447,733	2,286,232
Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization	942,646	888,696
Net property and equipment	1,505,087	1,397,536
Other assets	57,031	65,537
Intangible assets, net	320,950	333,561
Goodwill	253,256	253,256
Total assets	2,864,425	2,791,981
Current liabilities:	'	'
Accounts payable	152,475	113,374
Accrued liabilities	123,985	107,772
Current portion of claims accruals	88,843	86,587
Current portion of long-term debt and obligations under capital leases	62,273	73,497
Fair value of guarantees	366	366
Current portion of interest rate swaps	4,921	1,853
Total current liabilities	432,863	383,449
Revolving line of credit	62,000	2,531
Long-term debt and obligations under capital leases, less current portion	1,286,307	1,357,101
Claims accruals, less current portion	105,492	98,919
Fair value of interest rate swaps, less current portion	7,532	11,497
Deferred income taxes	472,264	441,381
Securitization of accounts receivable	260,000	204,000
Other liabilities	3,133	2,899
Total liabilities	2,629,591	2,501,777
Contingencies (note 15)	'	'
Stockholdersb equity:	'	'
Preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share; Authorized 10,000,000 shares; none issued	0	0
Additional paid-in capital	756,620	920,827
Accumulated deficit	-516,467	-601,777
Central stockholders' loans receivable, pre-acquisition	0	-22,142
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-6,826	-8,202
Noncontrolling interest	102	102
Total stockholdersb equity	234,834	290,204
Total liabilities and stockholdersb equity	2,864,425	2,791,981
Class A Common Stock [Member]	'	'
Stockholdersb equity:	'	'
Common stock, value	880	871
Class B Common Stock [Member]	'	'
Stockholdersb equity:	'	'
Common stock, value	$525	$525

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets_Pa

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Preferred stock, par value	$0.01	$0.01
Preferred stock, shares Authorized	10,000,000	10,000,000
Preferred stock, shares issued	0	0
Class A Common Stock [Member]	'	'
Common stock, par value	$0.01	$0.01
Common stock, shares Authorized	500,000,000	500,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	88,032,407	87,055,664
Common stock, shares outstanding	88,032,407	87,055,664
Class B Common Stock [Member]	'	'
Common stock, par value	$0.01	$0.01
Common stock, shares Authorized	250,000,000	250,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	52,495,236	52,495,236
Common stock, shares outstanding	52,495,236	52,495,236

Consolidated_Statements_Of_Ope

Consolidated Statements Of Operations (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Income Statement [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Operating revenue	$1,032,127	$992,624	$3,042,806	$2,928,525
Operating expenses:	'	'	'	'
Salaries, wages and employee benefits	220,156	218,607	670,493	655,300
Operating supplies and expenses	85,204	75,337	236,267	215,777
Fuel	160,561	168,956	489,563	500,589
Purchased transportation	318,321	306,028	918,594	881,414
Rental expense	46,262	39,168	129,881	108,772
Insurance and claims	35,110	29,475	100,245	92,992
Depreciation and amortization of property and equipment	58,254	53,994	170,004	164,354
Amortization of intangibles	4,204	4,203	12,611	12,721
Impairments	0	0	0	1,065
Gain on disposal of property and equipment	-5,619	-4,343	-13,610	-13,887
Communication and utilities	6,679	6,699	19,145	19,998
Operating taxes and licenses	18,575	17,310	55,209	53,618
Total operating expenses	947,707	915,434	2,788,402	2,692,713
Operating income	84,420	77,190	254,404	235,812
Other (income) expenses:	'	'	'	'
Interest expense	24,595	29,102	75,719	93,530
Derivative interest expense	1,465	448	2,559	5,101
Interest income	-604	-679	-1,741	-1,548
Business Combination, Acquisition Related Costs	4,331	0	4,331	0
Loss on debt extinguishment	496	0	5,540	22,219
Gain (Loss) on Disposition of Other Assets	798	0	6,876	0
Other	-1,174	-423	-3,058	-2,466
Total other (income) expenses, net	28,311	28,448	76,474	116,836
Income before income taxes	56,109	48,742	177,930	118,976
Income tax expense (benefit)	26,156	15,086	67,806	33,573
Net income	$29,953	$33,656	$110,124	$85,403
Basic earnings per share	$0.21	$0.24	$0.79	$0.61
Diluted earnings per share	$0.21	$0.24	$0.78	$0.61
Shares used in per share calculations	'	'	'	'
Basic	140,327	139,535	140,004	139,526
Diluted	142,315	139,546	141,942	139,631

Consolidated_Statements_Of_Com

Consolidated Statements Of Comprehensive Income (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Statement Of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Net income	$29,953	$33,656	$110,124	$85,403
Accumulated losses on derivatives reclassified to derivative interest expense	1,106	448	2,065	5,101
Other comprehensive income before income taxes:	'	'	'	'
Change in fair value of interest rate swaps	0	-567	-145	-2,597
Other comprehensive income (loss) before income taxes	1,106	-119	1,920	2,504
Income tax effect of items of other comprehensive income	-326	232	-544	1,050
Other comprehensive income, net of taxes	780	113	1,376	3,554
Total comprehensive income	$30,733	$33,769	$111,500	$88,957

Consolidated_Statements_Of_Sto

Consolidated Statements Of Stockholders' Equity (USD $)	Total	Class A Common Stock [Member]	Class B Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Shareholder Loan Receivable [Member]	Accumulated Deficit [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Member]	Noncontrolling Interest [Member]	Central Refrigerated Service, Inc. [Member]	Central Refrigerated Service, Inc. [Member]
In Thousands, except Share data										Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2012	$290,204	$871	$525	$920,827	($22,142)	($601,777)	($8,202)	$102	'	'
Beginning balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2012	'	87,055,664	52,495,236	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Exercise of stock options	9,715	9	'	9,706	'	'	'	'	'	'
issuanceofcentralrefrigeratedloanreceivable	-30,000	'	'	'	-30,000	'	'	'	'	'
Exercise of stock options, shares	'	906,078	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Excess tax deficiency of stock options	-383	'	'	-383	'	'	'	'	'	'
Grant of restricted Class A common stock	62	'	'	62	'	'	'	'	'	'
Grant of restricted Class A common stock, shares	'	10,480	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Shares issued under employee stock purchase plan	707	'	'	707	'	'	'	'	'	'
Shares issued under employee stock purchase plan, shares	'	60,185	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net current-period other comprehensive income	1,376	'	'	'	'	'	1,376	'	'	'
Non-cash equity compensation	2,516	'	'	2,516	'	'	'	'	887	887
Adjustments To Additional Paid In Capital, Acquisition, Exercise Of Stock Options	0	'	'	3,415	-3,415	'	'	'	'	'
Acquisition of Central, a common control entity, net of cancellation of stockholders' loans receivable at closing of acquisition	-147,822	'	'	-181,117	33,295	'	'	'	'	'
Shareholder note	0	'	'	'	22,315	-22,315	'	'	'	'
DistributiontoCentralrefrigeratedstockholders	-2,499	'	'	-2,499	'	'	'	'	'	'
Shareholders' Equity, Interest On Shareholder Note	53	'	'	'	53	'	'	'	'	'
Net income	110,124	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Ending balance at Sep. 30, 2013	$234,834	$880	$525	$756,620	$0	($516,467)	($6,826)	$102	'	'
Ending balance, shares at Sep. 30, 2013	'	88,032,407	52,495,236	'	'	'	'	'	'	'

Consolidated_Statements_Of_Cas

Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Cash flows from operating activities:	'	'
Net income	$110,124	$85,403
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:	'	'
Depreciation and amortization of property, equipment and intangibles	182,615	177,075
Amortization of debt issuance costs, original issue discount, and losses on terminated swaps	5,107	9,368
Gain on disposal of property and equipment less write-off of totaled tractors	-12,902	-12,560
Gain (Loss) on Disposition of Other Assets	6,876	0
Impairments	0	1,065
Equity losses of investee	228	889
Deferred income taxes	64,695	25,997
Provision for allowance for losses on accounts receivable	872	1,139
Gains (Losses) on Extinguishment of Debt	-5,540	-22,219
Non-cash equity compensation	3,465	4,315
Income effect of mark-to-market adjustment of interest rate swaps	654	0
Interest On Shareholder Loan	-53	-44
Increase (decrease) in cash resulting from changes in:	'	'
Accounts receivable	-18,939	-41,534
Inventories and supplies	-629	-1,299
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	-23,946	-19,696
Other assets	6,976	-17
Accounts payable, accrued and other liabilities	38,932	32,262
Net cash provided by operating activities	355,863	284,582
Cash flows from investing activities:	'	'
Decrease in restricted cash	1,302	16,892
Change in restricted investments	-1,900	-18,216
Funding of note receivable	0	-7,500
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment	75,812	106,333
Capital expenditures	-236,990	-221,034
Payments received on notes receivable	2,775	4,357
Expenditures on assets held for sale	-17,442	-5,935
Payments received on assets held for sale	47,365	11,337
Payments received on equipment sale receivables	1,266	5,580
Payments to Acquire Businesses, Net of Cash Acquired	-147,822	0
Other investing activities	0	-500
Net cash used in investing activities	-275,634	-108,686
Cash flows from financing activities:	'	'
Repayment of long-term debt and capital leases	-199,490	-233,353
Net borrowings on revolving line of credit	59,469	4,834
Proceeds from Issuance of Long-term Debt	26,268	10,000
Payments of Loan Costs	2,183	9,023
Proceeds from long-term debt	180,000	211,000
Payment of deferred loan costs	-124,000	-187,000
Distribution to Central stockholders, pre-acquisition	-2,499	-10,111
stockholder loan receivable, Central	-30,000	0
Proceeds from Stock Options Exercised	10,422	268
Adjustment to Additional Paid in Capital, Income Tax Effect from Share-based Compensation, Net	-383	-322
Other financing activities	0	-952
Net cash used in financing activities	-82,396	-214,659
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	-2,167	-38,763
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	53,596	82,084
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	51,429	43,321
Cash paid during the period for:	'	'
Interest	67,833	82,175
Income taxes	20,602	19,442
Equipment sales receivables	696	4,724
Non-cash investing activities:	'	'
Equipment purchase accrual	39,369	19,310
Notes receivable from sale of assets	5,855	3,353
Non-cash financing activities:	'	'
Accrued deferred loan costs	0	228
Capital lease additions	85,094	38,453
Insurance premium and software notes payable	3,324	0
non-cash deistribution to Central stockholders	22,315	0
Non-cash exercies of Centrals stock options in exchnge for loans receivables	3,415	0
cancelation of central refrigerated loan receivables	$33,295	$0

Basis_Of_Presentation

Basis Of Presentation	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Basis Of Presentation	'
	Basis of Presentation
	Swift Transportation Company is the holding company for Swift Transportation Co., LLC (a Delaware limited liability company) and its subsidiaries (collectively, “Swift Transportation Co.”), a truckload carrier headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona, and Interstate Equipment Leasing, LLC (“IEL”) (all the foregoing being, collectively, “Swift” or the “Company”).
	On August 6, 2013, the Company entered into a Stock Purchase Agreement (“SPA”) with the stockholders of Central Refrigerated Transportation, Inc. ("Central"), pursuant to which the Company acquired all of the outstanding capital stock of Central (the "Acquisition"). Jerry Moyes, Swift's Chief Executive Officer and controlling stockholder, was the majority stockholder of Central prior to the Acquisition. Given Mr. Moyes' controlling interest in both Swift and Central, the Acquisition was accounted for using the guidance for transactions between entities under common control as described in Accounting Standard Codification ("ASC") Topic 805 – “Business Combinations”. In accordance with ASC Topic 805-30, the Company has recognized the assets and liabilities of Central at their carrying amounts at the date of transfer. As a result, the financial statements of the Company have been recast to reflect the accounts of Central as if it had been consolidated for all previous periods presented.
	As of September 30, 2013, the Company operated a national terminal network and a tractor fleet of approximately 18,400 units comprised of 13,350 tractors driven by company drivers and 5,050 owner-operator tractors, a fleet of 57,500 trailers, and 8,700 intermodal containers. Subsequent to the acquisition of Central, the Company's chief operating decision makers will separately evaluate the performance of Central from its three reportable segments that predated the Acquisition. The Company’s four reportable operating segments are Truckload, Dedicated, Central Refrigerated and Intermodal.
	In the opinion of management, the accompanying financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP include all adjustments necessary for the fair presentation of the interim periods presented. These interim financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s annual financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2012. Management has evaluated the effect on the Company’s reported financial condition and results of operations of events subsequent to September 30, 2013 through the issuance of the financial statements.

Acquisition_Notes

Acquisition (Notes)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Business Combinations [Abstract]	'
Acquisition	'
	Acquisition
	As discussed in Note 1, on August 6, 2013, the Company acquired all of the outstanding capital stock of Central, a premium service truckload carrier specializing in temperature-controlled freight transportation and the fifth-largest provider of temperature-controlled truckload services in the U.S., for aggregate consideration of approximately $225 million. The Company paid approximately $189 million in cash to the stockholders of Central and assumed approximately $36 million of capital lease obligations and other debt. Cash consideration was primarily funded from borrowings on the Company's existing credit facilities, including $85 million from the Company's revolving line of credit and $100 million from the Company's accounts receivable securitization facility.
	Given Mr. Moyes’ ownership interest in, and control of, Central, the Company's Board of Directors established a Special Committee comprised solely of independent and disinterested directors in May of 2011 to evaluate Swift’s acquisition of Central. The members of the Special Committee were William Post (chair), Glenn Brown, Richard H. Dozer and David Vander Ploeg. The Special Committee evaluated alternative business opportunities, including organic growth and various acquisition targets, and negotiated the transaction contemplated by the SPA on the Company's behalf, with the assistance of independent financial advisors, Lazard Frères & Co., LLC (“Lazard”), and independent legal advisors. The Special Committee received a fairness opinion from Lazard. Upon the unanimous recommendation of the Special Committee, the Acquisition was approved by the Company's Board of Directors with Mr. Moyes not participating in the vote.
	The SPA contains customary representations, warranties, covenants and indemnification provisions. At closing, a portion of the purchase price was placed in escrow to secure payment of any post-closing adjustments to the purchase price and to secure the seller’s indemnification obligations to the Company. Mr. Moyes also contributed into escrow 1,131,862 shares of Swift Class B common stock to further secure such indemnification obligations.
	As discussed in Note 1, as a result of Mr. Moyes' majority ownership in both Swift and Central, the Acquisition was accounted for using the guidance for transactions between entities under common control pursuant to ASC Topic 805, in which the Company recognized the assets and liabilities of Central at its carrying amounts at the date of transfer. Pursuant to ASC Topic 805 - "Business Combinations", the following financial information as of December 31, 2012 and for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 have been retrospectively recast to reflect the accounts of Central as if it was consolidated as of January 1, 2012 (in thousands, except per share data):
		31-Dec-12
		Swift			Central				Intercompany
		Transportation			Refrigerated				Elimination				Total
		Company			Transportation Inc.				Entries				(Recast)
	Total current assets	$	674,537		$	68,211			$	(657	)		$	742,091
	Total assets	2,632,178			160,560				(757		)		2,791,981
	Total current liabilities	323,293			60,813				(657		)		383,449
	Total liabilities	2,402,067			100,367				(657		)		2,501,777
	Total stockholders' equity	$	230,111		$	60,193			$	(100	)		$	290,204
		Three Months Ended September 30, 2012
		Swift			Central					Intercompany
		Transportation			Refrigerated					Elimination				Total
		Company			Transportation Inc.					Entries				(Recast)
	Operating revenue	$	871,094		$	121,990				$	(460	)		$	992,624
	Operating income	$	70,357		$	6,833				—				$	77,190
	Net income	$	27,852		$	5,804				$	—			$	33,656
	Basic earnings per share	$	0.2		$	0.04		(1)		$	—			$	0.24
	Diluted earnings per share	$	0.2		$	0.04		(1)		$	—			$	0.24
		Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012
	Operating revenue	$	2,570,563		$	359,213				$	(1,251	)		$	2,928,525
	Operating income	$	214,936		$	20,876				—				$	235,812
	Net income	$	67,739		$	17,664				$	—			$	85,403
	Basic earnings per share	$	0.49		$	0.13		(1	)	$	—			$	0.61
	Diluted earnings per share	$	0.49		$	0.13		(1	)	$	—			$	0.61
	Net cash provided by operating activities	$	259,246		$	25,336				$	—			$	284,582
	Net cash used in investing activities	$	(106,839	)	$	(1,847	)			—				$	(108,686	)
	Net cash used in financing activities	$	(191,170	)	$	(23,489	)			$	—			$	(214,659	)
	(1)Represents Central's pro-forma basic and diluted earnings per share based on Swift's diluted weighted average share count for the applicable period.

New_Accounting_Standards

New Accounting Standards	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Accounting Changes and Error Corrections [Abstract]	'
New Accounting Standards	'
	New Accounting Standards
	In February 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2013-02, Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Reporting of Amounts Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income. ASU 2013-02 requires entities to present information about the amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income ("OCI") by component. In addition, an entity is required to present, either on the face of the financial statements or in the notes, significant amounts reclassified out of accumulated OCI by the respective line items of net income, but only if the amount reclassified is required to be reclassified in its entirety in the same reporting period. For amounts that are not required to be reclassified in their entirety to net income, an entity is required to cross-reference to other disclosures that provide additional details about those amounts. The ASU is effective prospectively for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2012. The adoption of this guidance impacted the Company's financial statement disclosures, but did not have an impact on Swift's financial position or results of operations.

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Income Taxes	'
	Income Taxes
	The effective tax rate for the three months ended September 30, 2013 was 46.6%, which was 8.1 percentage points higher than expected primarily due to the Acquisition related costs and deferred taxes for Central's conversion to a C-Corporation from an S-Corporation prior to the Acquisition as well as fixed asset basis differences and state taxes, which are all discrete items in the third quarter. The effective tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 was 38.1%, which was 0.4 percentage points lower than expected primarily due to Central's pre-affiliated earnings that are taxed as an S-Corporation and offset the Acquisition related costs and deferred tax items mentioned above. Excluding the impact of discrete items in the first three quarters, the effective tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 would have been 38.5%.
	The effective tax rate for the three months ended September 30, 2012 was 31%, which was 8 percentage points lower than expected primarily due to the tax benefit related to additional employment tax credits realized on our 2011 tax return and Central's pre-affiliated earnings that are taxed as an S-Corporation. The effective tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 was 28.2%, which was 10.8 percentage points lower than the expected effective tax rate primarily due to Central's pre-affiliated earnings that are taxed as an S-Corporation, deferred state tax benefit related to an internal corporate restructuring of our subsidiaries in January of 2012 as well as the tax benefit related to additional employment tax credits realized on our 2011 tax return. Excluding the impact of discrete items in the first three quarters, the effective tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 would have been 38.5%.
	The Company recognizes potential accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits as a component of income tax expense. Accrued interest and penalties as of September 30, 2013 was $1.5 million. To the extent interest and penalties are not assessed with respect to uncertain tax positions, amounts accrued will be reduced and reflected as a reduction of the overall income tax provision. The Company anticipates that the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits may decrease by approximately $0.8 million during the next twelve months, which should not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
	Certain of the Company’s subsidiaries are currently under examination by the state of California for the 2005, 2006 and May 10, 2007 tax years. The Company, during 2014, anticipates concluding its California examination for 2005, 2006 and the short period ending May 10, 2007. Tax years 2008 through 2012 remain subject to examination. In addition, other state jurisdictions are conducting examinations for years ranging from 2007 to 2012. At the completion of these examinations, management does not expect any adjustments that would have a material impact on the Company’s effective tax rate.

Investments

Investments	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Schedule of Investments [Abstract]	'
Investments	'
	Investments
	The following table presents the cost or amortized cost, gross unrealized gains and losses, and estimated fair value of the Company’s restricted investments as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 (in thousands):
		30-Sep-13
		Cost or		Gross Unrealized				Estimated
		Amortized		Gains		Temporary		Fair
		Cost				Losses		Value
	U.S. corporate securities	$	16,293	$	2	$	6	$	16,289
	Foreign corporate securities	5,522		2		—		5,524
	Negotiable certificate of deposits	2,360		—		1		2,359
	Total restricted investments	$	24,175	$	4	$	7	$	24,172
		December 31, 2012
		Cost or		Gross Unrealized				Estimated
		Amortized				Temporary		Fair
		Cost		Gains		Losses		Value
	U.S. corporate securities	$	20,274	$	3	$	8	$	20,269
	Foreign corporate securities	2,001		1		—		2,002
	Total restricted investments	$	22,275	$	4	$	8	$	22,271
	As of September 30, 2013, the contractual maturities of the restricted investments were 1 year or less. There were 12 securities and seven securities that were in an unrealized loss position for less than twelve months as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively.
	The Company periodically evaluates restricted investments for impairment. The assessment of whether impairments have occurred is based on management’s case-by-case evaluation of the underlying reasons for the decline in estimated fair value.
	The Company accounts for other-than-temporary impairments of debt securities using the provisions of Topic 320, Investments – Debt and Equity Securities, related to the recognition of other-than-temporary impairments of debt securities. This guidance requires the Company to evaluate whether it intends to sell an impaired debt security or whether it is more likely than not that it will be required to sell an impaired debt security before recovery of the amortized cost basis. If either of these criteria is met, an impairment equal to the difference between the debt security’s amortized cost and its estimated fair value is recognized in earnings.
	For impaired debt securities that do not meet this criteria, the Company determines if a credit loss exists with respect to the impaired security. If a credit loss exists, the credit loss component of the impairment (i.e., the difference between the security’s amortized cost and the present value of projected future cash flows expected to be collected) is recognized in earnings and the remaining portion of the impairment is recognized as a component of accumulated OCI. The Company did not recognize any impairment losses for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

Intangible_Assets

Intangible Assets	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Intangible Assets	'
	Intangible Assets
	Intangible assets as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 were as follows (in thousands):
		30-Sep-13			31-Dec-12
	Customer Relationship:
	Gross carrying value	$	275,324		$	275,324
	Accumulated amortization	(135,411		)	(122,800		)
	Owner-Operator Relationship:
	Gross carrying value	3,396			3,396
	Accumulated amortization	(3,396		)	(3,396		)
	Trade Name:
	Gross carrying value	181,037			181,037
	Intangible assets, net	$	320,950		$	333,561
	For all periods ending on or after December 31, 2007, amortization of intangibles consists primarily of amortization of $261.2 million gross carrying value of definite-lived intangible assets recognized under purchase accounting in connection with Swift Transportation Co.’s 2007 going private transaction. Intangible assets acquired as a result of the 2007 going private transaction include trade name, customer relationships, and owner-operator relationships. Amortization of the customer relationship acquired in the going private transaction is calculated on the 150% declining balance method over the estimated useful life of 15 years. The customer relationship contributed to the Company at May 9, 2007 is amortized using the straight-line method over 15 years. The trade name has an indefinite useful life and is not amortized, but rather is tested for impairment at least annually, unless events occur or circumstances change between annual tests that would more likely than not reduce the fair value.
	The following table presents amortization of intangibles for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, related to intangible assets recognized in conjunction with the 2007 going private transaction and the previous intangible assets existing prior to the 2007 going private transaction (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2013			2012			2013		2012
	Amortization of intangible assets related to 2007 going private transaction	$	3,912		$	3,912		$	11,736	$	11,846
	Amortization of intangible assets related to intangible assets existing prior to the 2007 going private transaction	292			291			875		875
	Amortization of intangibles	$	4,204		$	4,203		$	12,611	$	12,721

Assets_Held_For_Sale

Assets Held For Sale	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Text Block [Abstract]	'
Assets Held For Sale	'
	Assets Held for Sale
	Assets held for sale as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 was as follows (in thousands):
		30-Sep-13		31-Dec-12
	Land and facilities	$	3,715	$	25,148
	Revenue equipment	6,182		6,396
	Assets held for sale	$	9,897	$	31,544
	As of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, assets held for sale are carried at the lower of depreciated cost or estimated fair value less expected selling costs. The Company expects to sell these assets within the next 12 months.
	During the nine months ended September 30, 2013, the Company sold three non-operating properties classified as held for sale with a carrying value of $25.6 million. As a result, the Company recognized a pre-tax gain of $6.9 million in gain on sale of real property in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations.

Equity_Investment_And_Note_Rec

Equity Investment And Note Receivable - Swift Power Services, LLC	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures [Abstract]	'
Equity Investment And Note Receivable - Swift Power Services, LLC	'
	Equity Investment and Note Receivable – Swift Power Services, LLC
	In February 2012, the Company contributed approximately $500 thousand to Swift Power Services, LLC (“SPS”) in return for 49.95% ownership interest. SPS was formed in 2012 for the purpose of acquiring the assets and business of three trucking companies engaged in bulk transporting of water, oil, liquids and pipe to various oil companies drilling in the Bakken shale in northwestern North Dakota. The Company accounts for its interest in SPS using the equity method.
	Additionally, in February 2012, the Company loaned $7.5 million to SPS pursuant to a secured promissory note, which is secured by substantially all of the assets of SPS. SPS failed to make its first scheduled principal payment and quarterly interest payment to the Company on December 31, 2012, which resulted in a $6.0 million pre-tax impairment charge in the fourth quarter of 2012. As a result, this note has been placed on nonaccrual status since December 31, 2012. All outstanding interest and principal balances are due on April 30, 2015. During the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, the Company recorded equity gains of $378 thousand and equity losses of $325 thousand, respectively, and during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 recorded equity losses of $277 thousand and $683 thousand, respectively, in other expense in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations related to its note receivable and investment in SPS, respectively. The gains recorded during the three months ended September 30, 2013, was the result of proceeds received by the Company through sales of the remaining revenue equipment of SPS. As a result of the accumulated equity losses and the impairment recorded during the three months ended December 31, 2012, the net carrying value of the investment in SPS is zero as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, and the net carrying value of the note receivable is zero and $1.0 million as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively.

Debt_And_Financing_Transaction

Debt And Financing Transactions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Debt And Financing Transactions	'
	Debt and Financing Transactions
	Other than the Company’s accounts receivable securitization as discussed in Note 10 and its outstanding capital lease obligations as discussed in Note 11, the Company had long-term debt outstanding as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 as follows (in thousands):
		30-Sep-13		31-Dec-12
				(Recast)
	Senior secured first lien term loan B-1 tranche due December 2016	$	238,000	$	—
	Senior secured first lien term loan B-2 tranche due December 2017	410,000		—
	Senior secured first lien term loan B-1 tranche due December 2016, net of $405 OID as of December 31, 2012	—		157,095
	Senior secured first lien term loan B-2 tranche due December 2017, net of $1,440 OID as of December 31, 2012	—		575,560
	Senior second priority secured notes due November 15, 2018, net of $6,491 and $7,439 OID as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively	493,509		492,561
	Other	9,121		11,126
	Central Debt
	Various notes payable to financing companies, due dates through May 2015, secured by revenue equipment, assumed in the Acquisition	4,974		11,508
	Note payable to a bank, due March 2016, secured by real estate, repaid at closing of the Acquisition	—		4,066
	Notes payable to a financing company, due June 2013, secured by prepaid insurance premiums, repaid at closing of the Acquisition	—		816
	Total	1,155,604		1,252,732
	Less: current portion	8,391		18,926
	Long-term debt	$	1,147,213	$	1,233,806
	The credit facility and senior notes are secured by substantially all of the assets of the Company and are guaranteed by Swift Transportation Company, IEL, Swift Transportation Co. and its domestic subsidiaries other than its captive insurance subsidiaries, driver training academy subsidiary, and its bankruptcy-remote special purpose subsidiary. As of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, the balance of deferred loan costs was $9.7 million and $13.2 million, respectively, and is reported in Other assets in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets.
	Senior Secured Credit Facility
	On March 7, 2013, the Company entered into a Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (the “2013 Agreement”) replacing its previous Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated March 6, 2012 (the “2012 Agreement”). The 2013 Agreement replaced the previous first lien term loan B-1 and B-2 tranches with outstanding principal balances of $152.0 million and $508.0 million, respectively, with new first lien term B-1 and B-2 tranches with balances of $250.0 million and $410.0 million, respectively. In addition, the 2013 Agreement reduced the interest rate applicable to the first lien term loan B-1 tranche to the LIBOR rate plus 2.75% with no LIBOR floor, down from the LIBOR rate plus 3.75% with no LIBOR floor, and reduced the interest rate applicable to the first lien term loan B-2 tranche to the LIBOR rate plus 3.00% with a 1.00% LIBOR floor, down from the LIBOR rate plus 3.75% with a 1.25% LIBOR floor. As of September 30, 2013, interest accrues at 2.93% and 4.00% on the Company’s first lien term loan B-1 and B-2 tranches, respectively. The replacement of the 2012 Agreement resulted in a loss on debt extinguishment of $5.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013, representing the write-off of the unamortized original issue discount and deferred financing fees associated with the 2012 Agreement.
	In addition to the pricing changes described above, the 2013 Agreement increased the availability pursuant to the accordion feature up to $350.0 million in aggregate, subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions and the participation of lenders.
	In the first quarter of 2012, the Company entered into the 2012 Agreement which replaced the then-existing, remaining $874.0 million face value first lien term loan, resulting in a loss on debt extinguishment of $20.9 million in the first quarter of 2012, representing the write-off of the unamortized original issue discount and deferred financing fees associated with the original term loan. In the second quarter of 2012, the Company entered into the First Amendment to the then existing 2012 Agreement (“Amendment”). The Amendment reduced the applicable rate on the revolving credit facility from 4.50% to a range of 3.00% to 3.25% for LIBOR based borrowings and letters of credit from 3.50% to a range of 2.00% to 2.25% for Base Rate borrowings, depending on the Company’s consolidated leverage ratio as defined in the 2012 Agreement. Additionally, the commitment fee for the unused portion of the revolving credit facility was reduced from a range of 0.50% to 0.75% to a range of 0.25% to 0.50%, depending on the Company’s consolidated leverage ratio. In addition, the maturity date of the $400.0 million revolving credit facility was extended from December 21, 2015 to September 21, 2016. On April 17, 2012, the Company entered into the Incremental Facility Amendment to the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (“Incremental Facility Amendment”). Pursuant to the Incremental Facility Amendment, the Company received $10.0 million in proceeds from a Specified Incremental Tranche B-1 Term Loan (“Incremental Term Loan”). The terms applicable to the Incremental Term Loan are the same as those applicable to the Company’s previous first lien term loan B-1 tranche.
	As of September 30, 2013, the Company had outstanding borrowing of $62.0 million under the $400.0 million revolving line of credit, and the Company had outstanding letters of credit under this facility primarily for workers’ compensation and self-insurance liability purposes totaling $118.8 million, leaving $219.2 million available under the revolving line of credit. As discussed in Note 2, the Company borrowed $85 million on the revolving credit agreement to fund a portion of the cash consideration paid for the Acquisition on August 6, 2013. As of September 30, 2013, the Company has repaid $23 million of these amounts borrowed. As of September 30 3013, interest accrues at 3.2% on the aggregate principal balance. As of September 30, 2013, interest accrues at 3.00% and 0.44% on the outstanding letters of credit and unused portion, respectively, on the revolving line of credit.
	Senior Second Priority Secured Notes
	In December 2010, Swift Services Holdings, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary, completed a private placement of senior second priority secured notes totaling $500.0 million face value which mature in November 2018 and bear interest at 10.00% (the “senior notes”). The Company received proceeds of $490.0 million, net of a $10.0 million original issue discount.
	Central Debt
	As discussed in Note 2, the Company completed the Acquisition of Central on August 6, 2013. Central has approximately $5 million in various notes payable to financing companies secured by revenue equipment with due dates through May 2015. Additionally, at the closing of the Acquisition, the Company repaid a Central note payable to a bank secured by real estate with a due date of March 2016 including outstanding principal and unpaid interest of $3.4 million.
	Central Credit Facilities
	On November 22, 2011, Central entered into a loan agreement ("Central 2011 Agreement") with a bank to replace its then existing revolving line of credit . The Central 2011 Agreement provided a $35.0 million revolving line of credit facility. Initial proceeds from the facility were used to repay and replace the previous line of credit. As of December 31, 2012, the balance outstanding on the line was $2.5 million and the interest accrues at 2.56% based on the LIBOR rate plus 2.25%. Additionally, as of December 31, 2012, Central utilized the revolving line of credit to obtain $6.6 million of letters of credit for its insurance carriers. The revolving line of credit was for a two-year term through November 2013.
	On March 8, 2013, Central entered into a credit agreement ("Central 2013 Agreement") to replace its then existing Central 2011 Agreement. The Central 2013 Agreement included a $50.0 million revolving line of credit, subject to certain limits. The revolving line of credit accrued interest at the LIBOR rate plus 3.5%, and could be reduced based on Central's total leverage ratio. Interest rates ranged from the LIBOR rate plus 2.25% to 3.50%. Central could borrow up to 85% of eligible billed accounts receivable and 75% of eligible unbilled accounts receivable.
	The agreement also provided a $16.0 million term loan, which included quarterly principal payments with a balloon payment of 30.0%. The term loan accrued interest at the same rates as the revolving line of credit.
	As discussed in Note 2 and in conjunction with the Acquisition on August 6, 2013, the Company repaid the outstanding principal, unpaid interest and bank fees associated with Central's revolving line of credit and term loan under the Central 2013 Agreement with for aggregate payments of $38.0 million. The repayment at the closing of the Acquisition resulted in a loss on debt extinguishment of $0.5 million during the third quarter of 2013, representing the write-off of the unamortized deferred financing fees associated with the Central 2013 Agreement.

Accounts_Receivable_Securitiza

Accounts Receivable Securitization	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Transfers and Servicing [Abstract]	'
Accounts Receivable Securitization	'
	Accounts Receivable Securitization
	In June 2013, Swift Receivables Company II, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“SRCII”), a wholly-owned bankruptcy-remote special purpose subsidiary, entered into an Amended and Restated Receivables Sale Agreement (the “2013 RSA”) with unrelated financial entities (the “Purchasers”) to replace the Company's prior accounts receivable sale facility ("2011 RSA") and to sell, on a revolving basis, undivided interests in the Company’s accounts receivable. Pursuant to the 2013 RSA, the Company’s receivable originator subsidiaries will sell all of their eligible accounts receivable to SRCII, which in turn sells a variable percentage ownership interest in its accounts receivable to the Purchasers. The 2013 RSA increases the borrowing capacity secured by the receivables from $275.0 million under the 2011 RSA to $325.0 million and extends the final maturity date from June 8, 2014 to July 13, 2016 and is subject to customary fees and contains various customary affirmative and negative covenants, representations and warranties, and default and termination provisions. Outstanding balances under the 2013 RSA accrue program fees generally at commercial paper rates plus 95 basis points, down from commercial paper rates plus 125 basis points, and unused capacity is subject to an unused commitment fee of 35 basis points, decreasing from 40 basis points. Pursuant to the 2013 RSA, collections on the underlying receivables by the Company are held for the benefit of SRCII and the Purchasers in the facility and are unavailable to satisfy claims of the Company and its subsidiaries. The facility qualifies for treatment as a secured borrowing under Topic 860, Transfers and Servicing, and as such, outstanding amounts are carried on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets as a liability.
	For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, the Company incurred program fees of $0.8 million and $2.3 million, respectively, associated with the 2013 RSA and 2011 RSA, which were recorded in interest expense in the Company's consolidated statements of operations. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, the Company incurred program fees of $0.8 million and $2.5 million associated with the 2011 RSA. As discussed in Note 2, the Company borrowed $100.0 million under the 2013 RSA to fund a portion of the cash consideration paid for the Acquisition on August 6, 2013. As of September 30, 2013, the outstanding borrowing under the 2013 RSA was $260.0 million, including the amounts borrowed to fund the Acquisition noted above, against a total available borrowing base of $304.8 million, leaving $44.8 million available. As of December 31, 2012, the outstanding borrowing under the 2011 RSA was $204.0 million against a total available borrowing base of $268.6 million.

Capital_Leases

Capital Leases	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Leases [Abstract]	'
Capital Leases	'
	Capital Leases
	The Company leases certain revenue equipment under capital leases. The Company’s capital leases are typically structured with balloon payments at the end of the lease term equal to the residual value the Company is contracted to receive from certain equipment manufacturers upon sale or trade back to the manufacturers. The Company is obligated to pay the balloon payments at the end of the leased term whether or not it receives the proceeds of the contracted residual values from the respective manufacturers. Certain leases contain renewal or fixed price purchase options. As of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, the present value of obligations under capital leases totaled $193.0 million and $177.9 million, of which the current portion was $53.9 million and $54.6 million, respectively. The leases are collateralized by revenue equipment with a cost of $354.5 million and accumulated amortization of $135.6 million as of September 30, 2013. The amortization of the equipment under capital leases is included in depreciation and amortization expense in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations.

Derivative_Financial_Instrumen

Derivative Financial Instruments	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Derivative Financial Instruments	'
	Derivative Financial Instruments
	In April 2011, as contemplated by the then existing credit facility, the Company entered into two forward-starting interest rate swap agreements with a notional amount of $350.0 million. These interest rate swaps were effective in January 2013 and have a maturity date of July 2015. On April 27, 2011 (“designation date”), the Company designated and qualified these interest rate swaps as cash flow hedges. Subsequent to the designation date, the effective portion of the changes in estimated fair value of the designated swaps was recorded in accumulated OCI and is thereafter recognized to derivative interest expense as the interest on the hedged debt affects earnings, which hedged interest accruals began in January 2013. As of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, changes in estimated fair value of the designated interest rate swap agreements totaling $0.1 million and $1.8 million, net-of-tax, respectively, were reflected in accumulated OCI. Refer to Note 13 below for further discussion of the Company’s estimated fair value methodology.
	As discussed in Note 9—Debt and Financing Transactions, on March 7, 2013, the Company entered into the 2013 Agreement replacing the 2012 Agreement dated March 6, 2012. Due to the incorporation of a new interest rate floor provision in the 2013 Agreement, the Company concluded as of February 28, 2013, the outstanding interest rate swaps would no longer be highly effective in achieving offsetting changes in cash flows related to the hedged interest payments. As a result, the Company de-designated the hedges as of February 28, 2013 (“de-designation date”). Beginning on March 1, 2013, the effective portion of the change in fair value of interest rate swaps prior to the change (i.e. amounts previously recorded in accumulated OCI) have been and will continue to be amortized as derivative interest expense over the period of the originally designated hedged interest payments through July 2015. Following the de-designation date, changes in fair value of the interest rate swaps are immediately recognized in the consolidated statements of operations as derivative interest expense.
	Central Interest Rate Swap
	In connection with the note payable to a bank due March 2016, Central entered into an interest rate swap agreement to manage its interest rate exposure. The interest rate swap agreement was designated as a cash flow hedge. The interest rate swap agreement reduced the effect of changes in interest rates on the floating rate associated with this note. As of December 31, 2012 the interest rate swap agreement had a notional principal amount of $4.1 million. The agreement effectively changed Central's interest rate exposure on this note to a fixed rate of 8.9 percent.
	As discussed in Note 2 and in conjunction with the Acquisition on August 6, 2013, the Company repaid $0.3 million to terminate Central's interest rate swap agreements.
	The following table presents the changes in fair value, pre-tax of derivatives designated as cash flow hedges had on accumulated OCI and earnings (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2013			2012			2013			2012
					(Recast)						(Recast)
	Amount of loss recognized in OCI on derivatives (effective portion)	$	—		$	567		$	145		$	2,597
	Amount of loss reclassified from accumulated OCI into income as “Derivative interest expense” (effective portion)	$	(1,106	)	$	(448	)	$	(2,065	)	$	(5,101	)
	The following tables presents information about pre-tax gains and losses recognized in earnings on the Company’s interest rate derivative contracts that were de-designated on February 28, 2013 as hedging instruments under ASC Topic 815, is as follows (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2013			2012			2013			2012
	Amount of loss recognized in income as “Derivative interest expense”	$	(359	)	$	—		$	(494	)	$	—
	As of September 30, 2013, $5.5 million of deferred losses on derivatives in accumulated OCI is expected to be reclassified to earnings within the next 12 months.

Fair_Value_Measurement

Fair Value Measurement	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Fair Value Measurement	'
	Fair Value Measurement
	Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures, requires that the Company disclose estimated fair values for its financial instruments. The estimated fair value of a financial instrument is the amount that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability. Fair value estimates are made at a specific point in time and are based on relevant market information and information about the financial instrument. These estimates do not reflect any premium or discount that could result from offering for sale at one time the Company’s entire holdings of a particular financial instrument. Changes in assumptions could significantly affect these estimates. Because the fair value is estimated as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, the amounts that will actually be realized or paid at settlement or maturity of the instruments in the future could be significantly different.
	The tables below exclude certain financial instruments. The excluded financial instruments are as follows: cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, accounts receivable, net, income tax refund receivable and accounts payable. The estimated fair value of these financial instruments approximate carrying value as they are short-term in nature. The table below also excludes financial instruments reported at estimated fair value on a recurring basis. See “— Recurring Fair Value Measurements.” All remaining balance sheet amounts excluded from the table below are not considered financial instruments subject to this disclosure.
	The following table presents the carrying amounts and estimated fair values of the Company’s financial instruments as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 (in thousands):
			30-Sep-13				31-Dec-12
			Carrying		Estimated		Carrying		Estimated
			Value		Fair Value		Value		Fair Value
							(Recast)		(Recast)
	Financial Assets:
	Restricted investments		$	24,175	$	24,172	$	22,275	$	22,271
	Financial Liabilities:
	Senior secured first lien term loan B-1 tranche (2013 Agreement)		238,000		238,595		—		—
	Senior secured first lien term loan B-2 tranche (2013 Agreement)		410,000		411,845		—		—
	Senior secured first lien term loan B-1 tranche (2012 Agreement)		—		—		157,095		157,346
	Senior secured first lien term loan B-2 tranche (2012 Agreement)		—		—		575,560		582,236
	Senior second priority secured notes		493,509		550,263		492,561		541,817
	Securitization of accounts receivable		260,000		260,000		204,000		204,000
	Central Financial Liabilities:
	Various notes payables to financing companies, due dates through May 2015, secured by revenue equipment		4,974		4,974		11,508		11,508
	Note payable to a bank, due March 2016		—		—		4,066		4,066
	Note payable to a financing company, due June 2013		—		—		816		816
	The carrying amounts shown in the table (other than the restricted investments, and the securitization of accounts receivable) are included in the consolidated balance sheets in long-term debt and obligations under capital leases. The estimated fair values of the financial instruments shown in the above table as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, represent management’s best estimates of the amounts that would be received to sell those assets or that would be paid to transfer those liabilities in an orderly transaction between market participants at that date. The estimated fair value measurements maximize the use of observable inputs. However, in situations where there is little, if any, market activity for the asset or liability at the measurement date, the estimated fair value measurement reflects the Company’s own judgments about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. These judgments are developed by the Company based on the best information available under the circumstances.
	The following summary presents a description of the methods and assumptions used to estimate the fair value of each class of financial instrument.
	Restricted investments
	The estimated fair value of the Company’s restricted investments is based on quoted prices in active markets that are readily and regularly obtainable.
	First lien term loans and senior second priority secured notes
	The estimated fair values of the first lien term loan and senior second priority secured notes were determined by bid prices in trades between qualified institutional buyers.
	Central Notes Payables
	Fair value is assumed to approximate carrying values for these financial instruments since they are short term in nature, or had stated interest rates that approximate the interest rates available to the Company as of the reporting date.
	Securitization of Accounts Receivable
	The Company’s securitization of accounts receivable consists of borrowings outstanding pursuant to the Company’s 2013 RSA and 2011 RSA as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively, as discussed in Note 10. Its fair value is estimated by discounting future cash flows using a discount rate commensurate with the uncertainty involved.
	Fair value hierarchy
	ASC Topic 820 establishes a framework for measuring fair value in accordance with GAAP and expands financial statement disclosure requirements for fair value measurements. ASC Topic 820 further specifies a hierarchy of valuation techniques, which is based on whether the inputs into the valuation technique are observable or unobservable. The hierarchy is as follows:
	•	Level 1 — Valuation techniques in which all significant inputs are quoted prices from active markets for assets or liabilities that are identical to the assets or liabilities being measured.
	•	Level 2 — Valuation techniques in which significant inputs include quoted prices from active markets for assets or liabilities that are similar to the assets or liabilities being measured and/or quoted prices from markets that are not active for assets or liabilities that are identical or similar to the assets or liabilities being measured. Also, model-derived valuations in which all significant inputs and significant value drivers are observable in active markets are Level 2 valuation techniques.
	•	Level 3 — Valuation techniques in which one or more significant inputs or significant value drivers are unobservable. Unobservable inputs are valuation technique inputs that reflect the Company’s own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability.
	When available, the Company uses quoted market prices to determine the estimated fair value of an asset or liability. If quoted market prices are not available, the Company will measure fair value using valuation techniques that use, when possible, current market-based or independently-sourced market parameters, such as interest rates and currency rates. The level in the fair value hierarchy within which a fair measurement in its entirety falls is based on the lowest level input that is significant to the estimated fair value measurement in its entirety. Following is a brief summary of the Company’s classification within the fair value hierarchy of each major category of assets and liabilities that it measures and reports on its consolidated balance sheets at estimated fair value on a recurring basis as of September 30, 2013:
	•	Interest rate swaps. The Company’s interest rate swaps are not actively traded but are valued using valuation models and credit valuation adjustments, both of which use significant inputs that are observable in active markets over the terms of the instruments the Company holds, and accordingly, the Company classified these valuation techniques as Level 2 in the hierarchy. Interest rate yield curves and credit spreads derived from trading levels of the Company’s first lien term loan are the significant inputs into these valuation models. These inputs are observable in active markets over the terms of the instruments the Company holds. The Company considers the effect of its own credit standing and that of its counterparties in the valuations of its derivative financial instruments.
	Recurring Fair Value Measurements
	As of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, no assets of the Company were measured at estimated fair value on a recurring basis. As of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, information about inputs into the estimated fair value measurements of each major category of the Company’s liabilities that were measured at estimated fair value on a recurring basis in periods subsequent to their initial recognition was as follows (in thousands):
					Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using
	Description		Total		Quoted Prices in		Significant		Significant
			Estimated		Active  Markets for		Other		Unobservable
			Fair Value		Identical Assets or		Observable		Inputs
					Liabilities		Inputs		(Level 3)
					(Level 1)		(Level 2)
	As of September 30, 2013
	Interest rate swaps		$	12,453	$	—	$	12,453	$	—
	As of December 31, 2012 (Recast)
	Interest rate swaps		$	13,350	$	—	$	13,350	$	—
	Nonrecurring Fair Value Measurements
	As of September 30, 2013, no assets of the Company were measured at estimated fair value on a nonrecurring basis. As of December 31, 2012, information about inputs into the estimated fair value measurements of the Company’s assets that were measured at estimated fair value on a nonrecurring basis in the period is as follows (in thousands):
					Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using
			Total		Quoted Prices		Significant		Significant		Total Gains (Losses)
			Estimated Fair Value		in Active		Other		Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
					Markets for		Observable Inputs (Level 2)
	Description				Identical Assets (Level 1)
	As of December 31, 2012
	Real property		$	665	$	—	$	—	$	665	$	(1,065	)
	Other assets		$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	(2,322	)
	Note receivable		$	1,000	$	—	$	—	$	1,000	$	(5,979	)
	As of December 31, 2012, a deposit related to the purchase of certain fuel technology equipment and a related asset were written off as the supplier ceased operations, resulting in a pre-tax impairment of $2.3 million. Swift Power Services, LLC (“SPS”), an entity in which the Company owns a minority interest, failed to make its first scheduled principal payment and quarterly interest payment to the Company on December 31, 2012 due to a decline in its financial performance resulting from, among other things, a legal dispute with the former owners and its primary customer. This caused the Company to re-evaluate the secured promissory note due from SPS for impairment, which resulted in a $6.0 million pre-tax adjustment that was recorded in Impairments of non-operating assets in the fourth quarter of 2012. In accordance with the provisions of ASC Topic 360, Property, Plant and Equipment, real property with a carrying amount of $1.7 million was written down to its estimated fair value of $0.6 million during the first quarter of 2012, resulting in an impairment charge of $1.1 million, which was included in Impairments in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations. The impairment of this asset was identified due to the Company’s decision to no longer use this property for its initial intended purpose. The Company estimated its fair value using significant unobservable inputs because there have been no recent sales of similar properties in the market place.

Earnings_Per_Share

Earnings Per Share	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Earnings Per Share	'
	Earnings per Share
	The computation of basic and diluted earnings per share is as follows:
			Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
			2013		2012		2013		2012
					(Recast)				(Recast)
			(In thousands, except
			per share amounts)
	Net income		$	29,953	$	33,656	$	110,124	$	85,403
	Basic:
	Weighted average common shares outstanding		140,327		139,535		140,004		139,526
	Diluted:
	Dilutive effect of stock options		1,988		11		1,938		105
	Total weighted average diluted shares outstanding		142,315		139,546		141,942		139,631
	Anti-dilutive shares excluded from the diluted earnings per share calculation (1)		—		5,789		181		4,428
	Earnings per share:
	Basic earnings per share		$	0.21	$	0.24	$	0.79	$	0.61
	Diluted earnings per share		$	0.21	$	0.24	$	0.78	$	0.61
	-1	Impact of outstanding options to purchase shares of the Company’s Class A common stock were anti-dilutive because the options exercise price was greater than the average market price of the common shares and were excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share.
	As of September 30, 2013 and 2012, there were 5,451,280 and 5,852,155 options outstanding, respectively.

Contingencies

Contingencies	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Contingencies	'
	Contingencies
	The Company is involved in certain claims and pending litigation primarily arising in the normal course of business. The majority of these claims relate to workers compensation, auto collision and liability, and physical damage and cargo damage. The Company expenses legal fees as incurred and accrues for the uninsured portion of contingent losses from these and other pending claims when it is both probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. Based on the knowledge of the facts and, in certain cases, advice of outside counsel, management believes the resolution of claims and pending litigation, taking into account existing reserves, will not have a material adverse effect on the Company. Moreover, the results of complex legal proceedings are difficult to predict and the Company’s view of these matters may change in the future as the litigation and events related thereto unfold.
	For certain cases described below, management is unable to provide a meaningful estimate of the possible loss or range of loss because, among other reasons, (i) the proceedings are in various stages; (ii) damages have not been sought; (iii) damages are unsupported and/or exaggerated; (iv) there is uncertainty as to the outcome of pending appeals and/or (v) there are significant factual issues to be resolved. For these cases, however, management does not believe, based on currently available information, that the outcomes of these proceedings will have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, though the outcomes could be material to our operating results for any particular period, depending, in part, upon the operating results for such period.
	2004 owner-operator class action litigation
	On January 30, 2004, a class action lawsuit was filed by Leonel Garza on behalf of himself and all similarly situated persons against Swift Transportation: Garza vs. Swift Transportation Co., Inc., Case No. CV7-472, or the Garza Complaint. The putative class originally involved certain owner-operators who contracted with the Company under a 2001 Contractor Agreement that was in place for one year. The putative class is alleging that the Company should have reimbursed owner-operators for actual miles driven rather than the contracted and industry standard remuneration based upon dispatched miles. The trial court denied plaintiff’s petition for class certification, the plaintiff appealed and on August 6, 2008, the Arizona Court of Appeals issued an unpublished Memorandum Decision reversing the trial court’s denial of class certification and remanding the case back to the trial court. On November 14, 2008, the Company filed a petition for review to the Arizona Supreme Court regarding the issue of class certification as a consequence of the denial of the Motion for Reconsideration by the Court of Appeals. On March 17, 2009, the Arizona Supreme Court granted the Company’s petition for review, and on July 31, 2009, the Arizona Supreme Court vacated the decision of the Court of Appeals opining that the Court of Appeals lacked automatic appellate jurisdiction to reverse the trial court’s original denial of class certification and remanded the matter back to the trial court for further evaluation and determination. Thereafter, the plaintiff renewed the motion for class certification and expanded it to include all persons who were employed by Swift as employee drivers or who contracted with Swift as owner-operators on or after January 30, 1998, in each case who were compensated by reference to miles driven. On November 4, 2010, the Maricopa County trial court entered an order certifying a class of owner-operators and expanding the class to include employees. Upon certification, the Company filed a motion to compel arbitration as well as filing numerous motions in the trial court urging dismissal on several other grounds including, but not limited to the lack of an employee as a class representative, and because the named owner-operator class representative only contracted with the Company for a three month period under a one year contract that no longer exists. In addition to these trial court motions, the Company also filed a petition for special action with the Arizona Court of Appeals arguing that the trial court erred in certifying the class because the trial court relied upon the Court of Appeals ruling that was previously overturned by the Arizona Supreme Court. On April 7, 2011, the Arizona Court of Appeals declined jurisdiction to hear this petition for special action and the Company filed a petition for review to the Arizona Supreme Court. On August 31, 2011, the Arizona Supreme Court declined to review the decision of the Arizona Court of Appeals. In April 2012, the court issued the following rulings with respect to certain motions filed by Swift: (1) denied Swift’s motion to compel arbitration; (2) denied Swift’s request to decertify the class; (3) granted Swift’s motion that there is no breach of contract; and (4) granted Swift’s motion to limit class size based on statute of limitations. The Company intends to continue to pursue all available appellate relief supported by the record, which the Company believes demonstrates that the class is improperly certified and, further, that the claims raised have no merit. The Company retains all of its defenses against liability and damages. The final disposition of this case and the impact of such final disposition cannot be determined at this time.
	Owner-operator misclassification class action litigation
	On December 22, 2009, a class action lawsuit was filed against Swift Transportation and IEL: John Doe 1 and Joseph Sheer v. Swift Transportation Co., Inc., and Interstate Equipment Leasing, Inc., Jerry Moyes, and Chad Killebrew, Case No. 9-CIV-10376 filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, or the Sheer Complaint. The putative class involves owner-operators alleging that Swift Transportation misclassified owner-operators as independent contractors in violation of the federal Fair Labor Standards Act, or FLSA, and various New York and California state laws and that such owner-operators should be considered employees. The lawsuit also raises certain related issues with respect to the lease agreements that certain owner-operators have entered into with IEL. At present, in addition to the named plaintiffs, approximately 200 other current or former owner-operators have joined this lawsuit. Upon Swift’s motion, the matter has been transferred from the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York to the United States District Court in Arizona. On May 10, 2010, the plaintiffs filed a motion to conditionally certify an FLSA collective action and authorize notice to the potential class members. On September 23, 2010, plaintiffs filed a motion for a preliminary injunction seeking to enjoin Swift and IEL from collecting payments from plaintiffs who are in default under their lease agreements and related relief. On September 30, 2010, the District Court granted Swift’s motion to compel arbitration and ordered that the class action be stayed pending the outcome of arbitration. The court further denied plaintiff’s motion for preliminary injunction and motion for conditional class certification. The Court also denied plaintiff’s request to arbitrate the matter as a class. The plaintiff filed a petition for a writ of mandamus asking that the District Court’s order be vacated. On July 27, 2011, the court denied the plaintiff’s petition for writ of mandamus and the plaintiff’s filed another request for interlocutory appeal. On December 9, 2011, the court permitted the plaintiffs to proceed with their interlocutory appeal. The Company intends to vigorously defend against any arbitration proceedings. The final disposition of this case and the impact of such final disposition cannot be determined at this time.
	California wage, meal and rest employee class action
	On March 22, 2010, a class action lawsuit was filed by John Burnell, individually and on behalf of all other similarly situated persons against Swift Transportation: John Burnell and all others similarly situated v. Swift Transportation Co., Inc. , Case No. CIVDS 1004377 filed in the Superior Court of the State of California, for the County of San Bernardino, or the Burnell Complaint. On September 3, 2010, upon motion by Swift, the matter was removed to the United States District Court for the Central District of California, Case No. EDCV10-809-VAP. The putative class includes drivers who worked for Swift during the four years preceding the date of filing alleging that Swift failed to pay the California minimum wage, failed to provide proper meal and rest periods and failed to timely pay wages upon separation from employment. The Burnell Complaint was subject to a stay of proceedings pending determination of similar issues in a case unrelated to Swift, Brinker v Hohnbaum, which was then pending before the California Supreme Court. A ruling was entered in the Brinker matter and in August 2012 the stay in the Burnell Complaint was lifted. On April 9, 2013 the Company filed a motion for judgment on the pleadings requesting dismissal of plaintiff's claims related to alleged meal and rest break violations under the California Labor Code alleging that such claims are preempted by the Federal Aviation Administration Authorization Act. On May 29, 2013, the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California granted the Company's motion for judgment on the pleadings and dismissed plaintiff's claims that are based on alleged violations of meal and rest periods set forth in the California Labor Code.
	On April 5, 2012, the Company was served with an additional class action complaint alleging facts similar to those as set forth in the Burnell Complaint. This new class action is James R. Rudsell, on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated v. Swift Transportation Co. of Arizona, LLC and Swift Transportation Company, Case No. CIVDS 1200255, in the Superior Court of California for the County of San Bernardino, or the Rudsell Complaint.
	The issue of class certification must first be resolved before the court will address the merits of the case, and we retain all of our defenses against liability and damages pending a determination of class certification. The Company intends to vigorously defend certification of the class in both matters as well as the merits of these matters should the classes be certified. The final disposition of both cases and the impact of such final dispositions of these cases cannot be determined at this time.
	California and Oregon minimum wage class action
	On July 12, 2011, a class action lawsuit was filed by Simona Montalvo on behalf of herself and all similarly situated persons against Swift Transportation: Montalvo et al. v. Swift Transportation Corporation d/b/a ST Swift Transportation Corporation in the Superior Court of California, County of San Diego, or the Montalvo Complaint. The Montalvo Complaint was removed to federal court on August 15, 2011, case number 3-11-CV-1827-L. Upon petition by plaintiffs, the matter was remanded to state court and the Company filed an appeal to this remand, which appeal has been denied. The putative class includes employees alleging that candidates for employment within the four year statutory period in California were not paid the state mandated minimum wage during their orientation phase. On July 29, 2013, the court certified the class. The Company is appealing the class certification and the remand to state court.
	The issue of class certification in the Montalvo Complaint remains subject to appeal and must first be resolved before the court will address the merits of the case, and we retain all of our defenses against liability and damages pending a determination of class certification. The Company intends to vigorously defend against certification of the class as well as the merits of this matter should the class be certified. The final disposition of this case and the impact of such final disposition of this case cannot be determined at this time.
	Washington overtime class action
	On September 9, 2011, a class action lawsuit was filed by Troy Slack on behalf of himself and all similarly situated persons against Swift Transportation: Troy Slack, et al v. Swift Transportation Co. of Arizona, LLC and Swift Transportation Corporation in the State Court of Washington, Pierce County, or the Slack Complaint. The Slack Complaint was removed to federal court on October 12, 2011, case number 11-2-114380. The putative class includes all current and former Washington State based employee drivers during the three year statutory period alleging that they were not paid overtime in accordance with Washington State law and that they were not properly paid for meals and rest periods.
	The issue of class certification must first be resolved before the court will address the merits of the case, and we retain all of our defenses against liability and damages pending a determination of class certification. The Company intends to vigorously defend certification of the class as well as the merits of these matters should the class be certified. The final disposition of this case and the impact of such final disposition of this case cannot be determined at this time.
	Virginia FCRA class action
	On July 23, 2013, a class action lawsuit was filed by James Ellis III on behalf of himself and all similarly situated persons against Swift Transportation of Arizona, LLC; James Ellis III v. Swift Transportation of Arizona, LLC (“Swift Arizona”) in the United States District Court, Eastern District of Virginia, Civil Action No. 3:13-CV-00473-JAG. Mr. Ellis, an applicant for a driver position, has alleged that the Swift’s disclosures regarding criminal background checks did not comply with the Fair Credit Reporting Act (“FCRA”). The class action seeks to certify the FCRA claims as a class action, and in that regard Mr. Ellis is seeking to represent a class of applicants from North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, and West Virginia over the five year period preceding the filing. Swift has answered the complaint denying the allegations including the allegations that a class should be certified.
	The issue of class certification must first be resolved before the court will address the merits of the case, and we retain all of our defenses against liability and damages pending a determination of class certification. Swift Arizona intends to vigorously defend certification of the class as well as the merits of these matters should the class be certified. The final disposition of this case and the impact of such final disposition of this case cannot be determined at this time.
	Utah minimum wage collective action
	On October 8, 2013, a collective action lawsuit was filed by Jacob Roberts on behalf of himself and all similarly situated persons against Central Refrigerated Service, Inc., Jon Isaacson, Bob Baer and John Does 1-10 (“CRS”); Jacob Roberts and Collective Action Plaintiffs John Does 1-10 v. Central Refrigerated Service, Inc., Jon Isaacson, Bob Baer and John Does 1-10 in the United States District Court for the District of Utah, Case No. 2;13-ev-00911-EJF, or the Roberts Complaint. The putative nationwide class includes employees alleging that candidates for employment within the three year statutory period in Utah were not paid proper compensation pursuant to the Fair Labor Standards Act (“FLSA”), specifically that the putative collective action plaintiffs were not paid the state mandated minimum wage for orientation, travel, and training.
	The issue of collective action certification must first be resolved before the court will address the merits of the case, and we retain all of our defenses against liability and damages pending a determination of collective action certification. Central intends to vigorously defend against collective action certification as well as the merits of this matter should the collective action be certified. The final disposition of this case and the impact of such final disposition of this case cannot be determined at this time.
	Collective and Individual Arbitration
	On June 1, 2012, a collective and class action complaint was filed by Gabriel Cilluffo, Kevin Shire and Bryan Ratterree individually and on behalf of themselves and all similarly situated persons against Central Refrigerated Services, Inc., Central Leasing, Inc., Jon Isaacson, and Jerry Moyes (“Central”); Gabriel Cilluffo, Kevin Shire and Bryan Ratterree individually and on behalf themselves and all similarly situated persons v. Central Refrigerated Services, Inc., Central Leasing, Inc., Jon Isaacson, and Jerry Moyes in the United States District Court for the Central District of California, Case No. ED CV 12-00886. The putative class involves owner-operators alleging that Central misclassified owner-operators as independent contractors in violation of the Federal Fair Labor Standards Act, or FLSA, and that such owner-operators should be considered employees. The lawsuit also raises a claim of forced labor. On September 24, 2012, the California District Court ordered that FLSA claim proceed to collective arbitration under the Utah Uniform Arbitration Act (“UUAA”) and not the Federal Arbitration Act (“FAA”). The September 24, 2012 order directed the arbitrator to determine the validity of proceeding as a collective arbitration under the UAA, and then if the arbitrator determines that such collective action is permitted, then the arbitrator is to consider the plaintiff’s FLSA claim. On November 8, 2012, the California District Court entered a clarification order clarifying that the plaintiff’s FLSA claim was to proceed to collective arbitration under the UUAA, but the plaintiff’s forced labor claim was to proceed as individual arbitrations for those plaintiffs seeking to pursue that specific claim. Central filed a motion for reconsideration and a motion for interlocutory appeal of the California District Court’s orders, both of which were denied and the claims are proceeding to collective and individual arbitration as originally ordered.
	The validity of collective arbitration must first be resolved by the arbitrator before the merits of the FLSA claim is addressed. Central retains all defenses against liability and damages pending a determination of the validity of collective arbitration. Central intends to vigorously defend collective arbitration as well as the merits of the FLSA matters should a collective arbitration be permitted. The final disposition of this case and the impact of such final disposition of this case cannot be determined at this time.
	Environmental notice
	On April 17, 2009, the Company received a notice from the Lower Willamette Group, or LWG, advising that there are a total of 250 potentially responsible parties, or PRPs, with respect to alleged environmental contamination of the Lower Willamette River in Portland, Oregon designated as the Portland Harbor Superfund site, or the Site, and that as a previous landowner at the Site the Company has been asked to join a group of 60 PRPs and proportionately contribute to (i) reimbursement of funds expended by LWG to investigate environmental contamination at the Site and (ii) remediation costs of the same, rather than be exposed to potential litigation. Although the Company does not believe it contributed any contaminants to the Site, the Company was at one time the owner of property at the Site and the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act imposes a standard of strict liability on property owners with respect to environmental claims. Notwithstanding this standard of strict liability, the Company believes our potential proportionate exposure to be minimal and not material. No formal complaint has been filed in this matter. The Company’s pollution liability insurer has been notified of this potential claim. The Company does not believe the outcome of this matter is likely to have a material adverse effect on Swift. However, the final disposition of this matter and the impact of such final disposition cannot be determined at this time.
	2013 environmental incident
	On May 14, 2013, a Swift Transportation tractor and trailer was involved in an accident in Bridgeport, California that resulted in fuel and other liquid components being released into the ground and a nearby stream. Based on soil and water testing of the impacted area, the Company expects the range of cost to remediate this release is $300 thousand to $500 thousand.

Segment_Information

Segment Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Segment Information	'
	Segment information
	Subsequent to the acquisition of Central discussed in Note 2 and during the third quarter of 2013, the Company concluded it will evaluate the performance of Central separately from the three reportable segments that predated the Central Acquisition. The Company’s four reportable operating segments are Truckload, Dedicated, Central Refrigerated and Intermodal. The subsequent finalization of our organizational design and financial reporting systems may result in future modifications of our reportable segments.
	•	Truckload. The truckload segment consists of one-way movements over irregular routes throughout the United States, Mexico, and Canada. This service utilizes both company and owner-operator tractors with dry van, flatbed, and other specialized trailing equipment.
	•	Dedicated. Through the dedicated segment, the Company devotes use of equipment and offers tailored solutions under long-term contracts. This dedicated segment utilizes refrigerated, dry van, flatbed and other specialized trailing equipment.
	•	Central Refrigerated. The Central Refrigerated segment is primarily shipments for customers that require temperature-controlled trailers and represents the core operations of Central Refrigerated. These shipments include one-way movements over irregular routes, dedicated truck operations, as well as a small number of intermodal trailer on flat car ("TOFC") and third party logistics loads.
	•	Intermodal. The intermodal segment includes revenue generated by moving freight over the rail in our containers and other trailing equipment, combined with revenue for drayage to transport loads between the railheads and customer locations.
	•	Other businesses. Nonreportable segments are comprised of the Company’s freight brokerage and logistics management services, as well as revenue generated by the Company’s subsidiaries offering support services to its customers and owner-operators, including shop maintenance, equipment leasing, and insurance.
	The Company uses the “management approach” to determine its reportable operating segments, as well as to determine the basis of reporting the operating segment information. The management approach focuses on financial information that the Company’s management uses to make operating decisions. The chief operating decision makers use operating revenues, operating expense categories, operating ratios, operating income and key operating statistics to evaluate performance and allocate resources to the Company’s operations.
	Operating income is the measure of segment profit or loss the Company uses to evaluate segment performance and allocate resources and, consistent with GAAP accounting guidance for segment reporting, it is the Company’s measure of segment performance and is reported below. Operating income should not be viewed as a substitute for GAAP net income (loss). The Company believes the presentation of operating income enhances the understanding of its performance by highlighting the results of operations and the underlying profitability drivers of the business segments.
	Operating income is defined as operating revenues less operating expenses, before tax.
	Based on the unique nature of the operating structure of the Company, revenue generating assets are interchangeable between segments. Therefore, the Company does not prepare separate balance sheets by segment as assets are not separately identifiable by segment. The Company allocates depreciation and amortization expense on its property and equipment to the segments based on the actual utilization of the asset by the segment during the period.
	The Company’s foreign operations total revenue was less than 5.0% of the Company’s total revenue for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
	Set forth in the tables below is certain financial information with respect to the Company’s reportable segments (in thousands):
			Operating Revenue
			Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
			2013			2012			2013			2012
						(Recast)						(Recast)
	Truckload		$	579,494		$	564,802		$	1,727,813		$	1,691,242
	Dedicated		184,550			182,843			546,427			536,255
	Central Refrigerated		136,484			121,990			393,094			359,213
	Intermodal		89,759			86,063			251,459			236,228
	Subtotal		990,287			955,698			2,918,793			2,822,938
	Nonreportable segments		49,038			50,828			159,461			152,321
	Intersegment eliminations		(7,198		)	(13,902		)	(35,448		)	(46,734		)
	Consolidated operating revenue		$	1,032,127		$	992,624		$	3,042,806		$	2,928,525
			Operating Income (Loss)
			Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
			2013			2012			2013			2012
						(Recast)						(Recast)
	Truckload		$	58,053		$	53,818		$	165,070		$	168,366
	Dedicated		20,508			17,082			63,725			50,104
	Central Refrigerated		4,165			6,833			19,881			20,876
	Intermodal		1,979			(2,505		)	934			(6,409		)
	Subtotal		84,705			75,228			249,610			232,937
	Nonreportable segments		(285		)	1,962			4,794			2,875
	Consolidated operating income		$	84,420		$	77,190		$	254,404		$	235,812
			Depreciation and Amortization
			Expense
			Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
			2013			2012			2013			2012
						(Recast)						(Recast)
	Truckload		$	32,696		$	29,184		$	96,076		$	90,667
	Dedicated		11,711			11,296			33,439			33,654
	Central Refrigerated		4,060			4,706			12,951			14,283
	Intermodal		2,236			2,418			6,858			6,612
	Subtotal		50,703			47,604			149,324			145,216
	Nonreportable segments		7,551			6,390			20,680			19,138
	Consolidated depreciation and amortization expense		$	58,254		$	53,994		$	170,004		$	164,354
	Other Intersegment Transactions
	Certain operating segments provide transportation and related services for other affiliates outside their reportable segment. Revenues for such services are based on negotiated rates, which we believe approximate fair value, and are reflected as revenues of the billing segment. These rates are adjusted from time to time based on market conditions. Such intersegment revenues and expenses are eliminated in our consolidated results.

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Equity [Abstract]	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	'
	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
	The following table is a reconciliation of accumulated other comprehensive income by component (in thousands):
		Derivative Financial Instruments			Foreign Currency Transactions		Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
	Balance as of December 31, 2012 (Recast)	$	(8,285	)	$	83	$	(8,202	)
	Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications	14			—		14
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss	1,362			—		1,362
	Net current-period other comprehensive income	1,376			—		1,376
	Balance as of September 30, 2013	$	(6,909	)	$	83	$	(6,826	)
	All amounts are net-of-tax. Amounts in parenthesis indicate debits.
	The following table presents details about reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive loss for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 are as follows (in thousands):
		Amount Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
		Three Months Ended September 30,					Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2013			2012		2013			2012		Statement of Operations Classifications
	Gains and losses on cash flow hedging:
	Interest rate swaps	$	1,106		$	448	$	2,065		$	5,101	Derivative interest expense
	Income tax (benefit) expense	(431		)	175		(805		)	1,990		Income tax expense
		$	675		$	623	$	1,260		$	7,091	Net income

Guarantor_Condensed_Consolidat

Guarantor Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Text Block [Abstract]	'
Guarantor Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements	'
	Guarantor Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements
	The payment of principal and interest on the Company’s senior second priority secured notes are guaranteed by the Company’s 100% owned domestic subsidiaries (the “Guarantor Subsidiaries”) other than its driver academy subsidiary, its captive insurance subsidiaries, its special-purpose receivables securitization subsidiary, and its foreign subsidiaries (the “Non-guarantor Subsidiaries”). The separate financial statements of the Guarantor Subsidiaries are not included herein because the Guarantor Subsidiaries are the Company’s 100% owned consolidated subsidiaries and are jointly, severally, fully and unconditionally liable for the obligations represented by the senior second priority secured notes.
	The condensed financial statements present condensed financial data for (i) Swift Transportation Company (on a parent only basis), (ii) Swift Services Holdings, Inc. (on an issuer only basis), (iii) the combined Guarantor Subsidiaries, (iv) the combined Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries, (v) an elimination column for adjustments to arrive at the information for the parent company and subsidiaries on a consolidated basis and (vi) the parent company and subsidiaries on a consolidated basis as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 and for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012.
	Investments in subsidiaries are accounted for by the respective parent company using the equity method for purposes of this presentation. Results of operations of subsidiaries are therefore reflected in the parent company’s investment accounts and earnings. The principal elimination entries set forth below eliminate investments in subsidiaries and intercompany balances and transactions.
	Condensed consolidating balance sheet as of September 30, 2013 (in thousands)
		Swift			Swift			Guarantor			Non-			Eliminations			Consolidated
		Transportation			Services			Subsidiaries			Guarantor			for
		Company			Holdings, Inc.						Subsidiaries			Consolidation
		(Parent)			(Issuer)
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	—		$	—		$	45,175		$	6,254		$	—		$	51,429
	Restricted cash	—			—			—			50,376			—			50,376
	Restricted investments, held to maturity, amortized cost										24,175						24,175
	Accounts receivable, net	12			—			80,214			336,047			(3,196		)	413,077
	Intercompany receivable (payable)	59,316			421,949			(558,892		)	77,627			—			—
	Other current assets	54,720			(2,383		)	121,617			15,090			—			189,044
	Total current assets	114,048			419,566			(311,886		)	509,569			(3,196		)	728,101
	Property and equipment, net	—			—			1,466,216			38,871			—			1,505,087
	Investment in subsidiaries	184,739			834,121			958,140						(1,977,000		)	—
	Other assets	—			2,008			50,236			4,839			(52		)	57,031
	Intangible assets, net	—			—			311,102			9,848			—			320,950
	Goodwill	—			—			246,977			6,279			—			253,256
	Total assets	$	298,787		$	1,255,695		2,720,785			$	569,406		$	(1,980,248	)	$	2,864,425
	Current portion of long-term debt and obligations under capital leases	$	—		$	—		$	59,038		$	3,261		$	(26	)	$	62,273
	Other current liabilities	1,857			18,889			321,947			31,093			(3,196		)	370,590
	Total current liabilities	1,857			18,889			380,985			34,354			(3,222		)	432,863
	Long-term debt and obligations under capital leases, less current portion	—			493,509			788,732			4,092			(26		)	1,286,307
	Deferred income taxes	(17,915		)	(419		)	484,634			5,964			—			472,264
	Securitization of accounts receivable	—			—			—			260,000			—			260,000
	Revolving line of credit	—			—			62,000			—			—			62,000
	Other liabilities	—			—			65,736			50,421			—			116,157
	Total liabilities	(16,058		)	511,979			1,782,087			354,831			(3,248		)	2,629,591
	Total stockholders’ equity	314,845			743,716			938,698			214,575			(1,977,000		)	234,834
	Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	298,787		$	1,255,695		$	2,720,785		$	569,406		$	(1,980,248	)	$	2,864,425
	Condensed consolidating balance sheet as of December 31, 2012 (in thousands)
		Swift			Swift			Guarantor			Non-			Eliminations			Consolidated
		Transportation			Services			Subsidiaries			Guarantor			for
		Company			Holdings, Inc.						Subsidiaries			Consolidation
		(Parent)			(Issuer)
								(Recast)						(Recast)			(Recast)
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	—		$	—		$	43,877		$	9,719		$	—		$	53,596
	Restricted cash	—			—			—			51,678			—			51,678
	Restricted investments, held to maturity, amortized cost	—			—			—			22,275			—			22,275
	Accounts receivable, net	—			—			72,319			324,597			(4,146		)	392,770
	Intercompany receivable (payable)	24,239			430,030			(507,934		)	53,665			—			—
	Other current assets	57,914			181			150,090			13,587			—			221,772
	Total current assets	82,153			430,211			(241,648		)	475,521			(4,146		)	742,091
	Property and equipment, net	—			—			1,360,358			37,178			—			1,397,536
	Investment in subsidiaries	106,194			757,590			904,412			—			(1,768,196		)	—
	Other assets	250			2,301			87,631			4,974			(29,619		)	65,537
	Intangible assets, net	—			—			323,134			10,427			—			333,561
	Goodwill	—			—			246,977			6,279			—			253,256
	Total assets	$	188,597		$	1,190,102		$	2,680,864		$	534,379		$	(1,801,961	)	$	2,791,981
	Current portion of long-term debt and obligations under capital leases	$	—		$	—		$	71,705		$	28,301		$	(26,509	)	$	73,497
	Other current liabilities	1,656			6,389			277,738			28,315			(4,146		)	309,952
	Total current liabilities	1,656			6,389			349,443			56,616			(30,655		)	383,449
	Long-term debt and obligations under capital leases, less current portion	—			492,561			861,534			6,116			(3,110		)	1,357,101
	Deferred income taxes	(19,372		)	(346		)	456,098			5,001			—			441,381
	Securitization of accounts receivable	—			—			—			204,000			—			204,000
	Revolving line of credit	—			—			2,531			—			—			2,531
	Other liabilities	—			—			63,739			49,576			—			113,315
	Total liabilities	(17,716		)	498,604			1,733,345			321,309			(33,765		)	2,501,777
	Total stockholders’ equity	206,313			691,498			947,519			213,070			(1,768,196		)	290,204
	Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	188,597		$	1,190,102		$	2,680,864		$	534,379		$	(1,801,961	)	$	2,791,981
Condensed consolidating statement of operations for the three months ended September 30, 2013 (in thousands)
	Swift			Swift			Guarantor			Non-			Eliminations			Consolidated
	Transportation			Services			Subsidiaries			Guarantor			for
	Company			Holdings, Inc.						Subsidiaries			Consolidation
	(Parent)			(Issuer)
Operating revenue	$	—		$	—		$	1,015,440		$	38,205		$	(21,518	)	$	1,032,127
Operating expenses:
Salaries, wages and employee benefits	1,081			—			211,717			7,358			—			220,156
Operating supplies and expenses	552			2			84,036			2,931			(2,317		)	85,204
Fuel	—			—			154,478			6,083			—			160,561
Purchased transportation	—			—			328,677			2,274			(12,630		)	318,321
Rental expense	—			—			45,639			781			(158		)	46,262
Insurance and claims	—			—			28,956			12,567			(6,413		)	35,110
Depreciation and amortization of property and equipment	—			—			57,032			1,222			—			58,254
Amortization of intangibles	—			—			4,011			193			—			4,204
Gain on disposal of property and equipment	—			—			(5,622		)	3			—			(5,619		)
Communication and utilities	—			—			6,444			235			—			6,679
Operating taxes and licenses	—			—			16,034			2,541			—			18,575
Total operating expenses	1,633			2			931,402			36,188			(21,518		)	947,707
Operating income (loss)	(1,633		)	(2		)	84,038			2,017			—			84,420
Interest expense, net	—			12,913			11,780			763			—			25,456
Other (income) expenses, net	(34,203		)	(31,083		)	(20,238		)	(2,574		)	90,953			2,855
Income before income taxes	32,570			18,168			92,496			3,828			(90,953		)	56,109
Income tax expense (benefit)	2,819			(4,853		)	27,007			1,183			—			26,156
Net income	$	29,751		$	23,021		$	65,489		$	2,645		$	(90,953	)	$	29,953
Condensed consolidating statement of operations for the three months ended September 30, 2012 (in thousands)
	Swift			Swift			Guarantor			Non-			Eliminations			Consolidated
	Transportation			Services			Subsidiaries			Guarantor			for
	Company			Holdings, Inc.						Subsidiaries			Consolidation
	(Parent)			(Issuer)
							(Recast)						(Recast)			(Recast)
Operating revenue	$	—		$	—		$	979,004		$	33,441		$	(19,821	)	$	992,624
Operating expenses:
Salaries, wages and employee benefits	1,401			—			210,855			6,351			—			218,607
Operating supplies and expenses	836			2			73,067			3,270			(1,838		)	75,337
Fuel	—			—			164,049			4,907			—			168,956
Purchased transportation	—			—			316,612			2,876			(13,460		)	306,028
Rental expense	—			—			39,040			289			(161		)	39,168
Insurance and claims	—			—			24,972			8,865			(4,362		)	29,475
Depreciation and amortization of property and equipment	—			—			53,063			931			—			53,994
Amortization of intangibles	—			—			4,010			193			—			4,203
Gain on disposal of property and equipment	—			—			(4,353		)	10			—			(4,343		)
Communication and utilities	—			—			6,460			239			—			6,699
Operating taxes and licenses	—			—			15,320			1,990			—			17,310
Total operating expenses	2,237			2			903,095			29,921			(19,821		)	915,434
Operating income (loss)	(2,237		)	(2		)	75,909			3,520			—			77,190
Interest expense, net	—			12,913			15,235			723			—			28,871
Other (income) expenses, net	(27,627		)	380			6,916			(2,203		)	22,111			(423		)
Income (loss) before income taxes	25,390			(13,295		)	53,758			5,000			(22,111		)	48,742
Income tax expense (benefit)	(2,462		)	(4,818		)	20,707			1,659			—			15,086
Net income (loss)	$	27,852		$	(8,477	)	$	33,051		$	3,341		$	(22,111	)	$	33,656
Condensed consolidating statement of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 (in thousands)
	Swift			Swift			Guarantor			Non-			Eliminations			Consolidated
	Transportation			Services			Subsidiaries			Guarantor			for
	Company			Holdings, Inc.						Subsidiaries			Consolidation
	(Parent)			(Issuer)
Operating revenue	$	—		$	—		$	2,989,063		$	117,644		$	(63,901	)	$	3,042,806
Operating expenses:
Salaries, wages and employee benefits	2,459			—			645,784			22,250			—			670,493
Operating supplies and expenses	1,682			6			229,568			10,960			(5,949		)	236,267
Fuel	—			—			470,395			19,168			—			489,563
Purchased transportation	—			—			948,073			8,892			(38,371		)	918,594
Rental expense	—			—			127,789			2,578			(486		)	129,881
Insurance and claims	—			—			85,249			34,091			(19,095		)	100,245
Depreciation and amortization of property and equipment	—			—			166,582			3,422			—			170,004
Amortization of intangibles	—			—			12,032			579			—			12,611
Gain on disposal of property and equipment	—			—			(13,634		)	24			—			(13,610		)
Communication and utilities	—			—			18,486			659			—			19,145
Operating taxes and licenses	—			—			47,203			8,006			—			55,209
Total operating expenses	4,141			6			2,737,527			110,629			(63,901		)	2,788,402
Operating income (loss)	(4,141		)	(6		)	251,536			7,015			—			254,404
Interest expense, net	—			38,740			34,534			3,263			—			76,537
Other (income) expenses, net	(78,546		)	(76,531		)	(51,509		)	(7,920		)	214,443			(63		)
Income before income taxes	74,405			37,785			268,511			11,672			(214,443		)	177,930
Income tax expense (benefit)	(21,629		)	(14,435		)	99,343			4,527			—			67,806
Net income	$	96,034		$	52,220		$	169,168		$	7,145		$	(214,443	)	$	110,124
Condensed consolidating statement of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 (in thousands)
	Swift			Swift			Guarantor			Non-			Eliminations			Consolidated
	Transportation			Services			Subsidiaries			Guarantor			for
	Company			Holdings, Inc.						Subsidiaries			Consolidation
	(Parent)			(Issuer)
							(Recast)						(Recast)			(Recast)
Operating revenue	$	—		$	—		$	2,881,754		$	101,352		$	(54,581	)	$	2,928,525
Operating expenses:
Salaries, wages and employee benefits	4,131			—			631,337			19,832			—			655,300
Operating supplies and expenses	2,068			10			209,196			9,850			(5,347		)	215,777
Fuel	—			—			485,059			15,530			—			500,589
Purchased transportation	—			—			909,985			7,251			(35,822		)	881,414
Rental expense	—			—			108,388			898			(514		)	108,772
Insurance and claims	—			—			78,693			27,197			(12,898		)	92,992
Depreciation and amortization of property and equipment	—			—			161,620			2,734			—			164,354
Amortization of intangibles	—			—			12,137			584			—			12,721
Impairments	—			—			1,065			—			—			1,065
Gain on disposal of property and equipment	—			—			(13,897		)	10			—			(13,887		)
Communication and utilities	—			—			19,283			715			—			19,998
Operating taxes and licenses	—			—			47,139			6,479			—			53,618
Total operating expenses	6,199			10			2,650,005			91,080			(54,581		)	2,692,713
Operating income (loss), net	(6,199		)	(10		)	231,749			10,272			—			235,812
Interest expense, net	—			38,740			55,089			3,254			—			97,083
Other (income) expenses	(68,912		)	(55,557		)	(13,340		)	(7,251		)	164,813			19,753
Income before income taxes	62,713			16,807			190,000			14,269			(164,813		)	118,976
Income tax expense (benefit)	(5,026		)	(14,459		)	47,867			5,191			—			33,573
Net income	$	67,739		$	31,266		$	142,133		$	9,078		$	(164,813	)	$	85,403
Condensed consolidating statement of comprehensive income for the three months ended September 30, 2013 (in thousands)
	Swift			Swift Services			Guarantor			Non-			Eliminations			Consolidated
	Transportation			Holdings, Inc.			Subsidiaries			Guarantor			for
	Company			(Issuer)						Subsidiaries			Consolidation
	(Parent)
Net income	$	29,751		$	23,021		$	65,489		$	2,645		$	(90,953	)	$	29,953
Other comprehensive income before income taxes:
Accumulated losses on derivatives reclassified to derivative interest expense	—			—			1,106			—			—			1,106
Change in fair value of interest rate swaps	—			—			—			—			—			—
Other comprehensive income before income taxes	—			—			1,106			—			—			1,106
Income tax effect of items of other comprehensive income	—			—			(326		)	—			—			(326		)
Total comprehensive income	$	29,751		$	23,021		$	66,269		$	2,645		$	(90,953	)	$	30,733
Condensed consolidating statement of comprehensive income for the three months ended September 30, 2012 (in thousands)
	Swift			Swift Services			Guarantor			Non-			Eliminations			Consolidated
	Transportation			Holdings, Inc.			Subsidiaries			Guarantor			for
	Company			(Issuer)						Subsidiaries			Consolidation
	(Parent)
							(Recast)						(Recast)			(Recast)
Net income (loss)	$	27,852		$	(8,477	)	$	33,051		$	3,341		$	(22,111	)	$	33,656
Other comprehensive income before income taxes:
Accumulated losses on derivatives reclassified to derivative interest expense	—			—			448			—			—			448
Change in fair value of interest rate swaps	—			—			(567		)	—			—			(567		)
Other comprehensive income before income taxes	—			—			(119		)	—			—			(119		)
Income tax effect of items of other comprehensive income	—			—			232			—			—			232
Total comprehensive income (loss)	$	27,852		$	(8,477	)	$	33,164		$	3,341		$	(22,111	)	$	33,769
Condensed consolidating statement of comprehensive income for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 (in thousands)
	Swift			Swift Services			Guarantor			Non-			Eliminations			Consolidated
	Transportation			Holdings, Inc.			Subsidiaries			Guarantor			for
	Company			(Issuer)						Subsidiaries			Consolidation
	(Parent)
Net income	$	96,034		$	52,220		$	169,168		$	7,145		$	(214,443	)	$	110,124
Other comprehensive income before income taxes:
Accumulated losses on derivatives reclassified to derivative interest expense	—			—			2,065			—			—			2,065
Change in fair value of interest rate swaps	—			—			(145		)	—			—			(145		)
Other comprehensive income before income taxes	—			—			1,920			—			—			1,920
Income tax effect of items of other comprehensive income	—			—			(544		)	—			—			(544		)
Total comprehensive income	$	96,034		$	52,220		$	170,544		$	7,145		$	(214,443	)	$	111,500
Condensed consolidating statement of comprehensive income for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 (in thousands)
	Swift			Swift Services			Guarantor			Non-			Eliminations			Consolidated
	Transportation			Holdings, Inc.			Subsidiaries			Guarantor			for
	Company			(Issuer)						Subsidiaries			Consolidation
	(Parent)
							(Recast)						(Recast)			(Recast)
Net income	$	67,739		$	31,266		$	142,133		$	9,078		$	(164,813	)	$	85,403
Other comprehensive income before income taxes:
Accumulated losses on derivatives reclassified to derivative interest expense	—			—			5,101			—			—			5,101
Change in fair value of interest rate swaps	—			—			(2,597		)	—			—			(2,597		)
Other comprehensive income before income taxes	—			—			2,504			—			—			2,504
Income tax effect of items of other comprehensive income	—			—			1,050			—			—			1,050
Total comprehensive income	$	67,739		$	31,266		$	145,687		$	9,078		$	(164,813	)	$	88,957
Condensed consolidating statement of cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 (in thousands)
	Swift			Swift Services			Guarantor			Non-			Eliminations			Consolidated
	Transportation			Holdings, Inc.			Subsidiaries			Guarantor			for
	Company			(Issuer)						Subsidiaries			Consolidation
	(Parent)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	$	25,038		$	(8,081	)	$	359,079		$	(20,173	)	$	—		$	355,863
Cash flows from investing activities:
Decrease in restricted cash	—			—			—			1,302			—			1,302
Change in restricted investments	—			—			—			(1,900		)	—			(1,900		)
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment	—			—			75,663			149			—			75,812
Capital expenditures	—			—			(231,701		)	(5,289		)	—			(236,990		)
Payments received on notes receivable				—			2,775			—			—			2,775
Expenditures on assets held for sale	—			—			(17,442		)	—			—			(17,442		)
Payments received on assets held for sale	—			—			47,365			—			—			47,365
Payments received on equipment sale receivables	—			—			1,266			—			—			1,266
Dividends from subsidiary	—			—			6,800			—			(6,800		)	—
Payments received on intercompany notes payable	—			—			3,399			—			(3,399		)	—
Capital contribution to subsidiary							(1,160		)	—			1,160			—
Acquisition of Central Refrigerated, net of debt repayment	—			—			(147,822		)	—			—			(147,822		)
Net cash used in investing activities	—			—			(260,857		)	(5,738		)	(9,039		)	(275,634		)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from long-term debt	—			—			16,000			10,268			—			26,268
Payment of deferred loan costs	—			—			(1,332		)	(851		)	—			(2,183		)
Borrowings under accounts receivable securitization	—			—			—			180,000			—			180,000
Repayment of accounts receivable securitization	—			—			—			(124,000		)	—			(124,000		)
Repayment of long-term debt and capital leases	—			—			(192,041		)	(7,449		)	—			(199,490		)
Repayment of intercompany notes payable	—			—			—			(3,399		)	3,399			—
Dividend to parent	—			—			—			(6,800		)	6,800			—
Capital contribution	—			—			—			1,160			(1,160		)	—
Net funding (to) from affiliates	(35,077		)	8,081			53,479			(26,483		)	—			—
Distribution to Central stockholders, pre-acquisition	—			—			(2,499		)	—			—			(2,499		)
Issuance of Central loan receivable, pre-acquisition	—			—			(30,000		)	—			—			(30,000		)
Net borrowings on revolver	—			—			59,469			—			—			59,469
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	10,422			—			—			—			—			10,422
Income tax benefit from exercise of stock options	(383		)	—			—			—			—			(383		)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(25,038		)	8,081			(96,924		)	22,446			9,039			(82,396		)
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	—			—			1,298			(3,465		)	—			(2,167		)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	—			—			43,877			9,719			—			53,596
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	—		$	—		$	45,175		$	6,254		$	—		$	51,429
Condensed consolidating statement of cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 (in thousands)
	Swift			Swift Services			Guarantor			Non-			Eliminations			Consolidated
	Transportation			Holdings, Inc.			Subsidiaries			Guarantor			for
	Company			(Issuer)						Subsidiaries			Consolidation
	(Parent)
							(Recast)									(Recast)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	$	16,304		$	(518	)	$	291,631		$	(22,835	)	$	—		$	284,582
Cash flows from investing activities:
Decrease in restricted cash	—			—			—			16,892			—			16,892
Change in restricted investments	—			—			—			(18,216		)	—			(18,216		)
Funding of notes receivable	—			—			(7,500		)	—			—			(7,500		)
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment	—			—			105,569			764			—			106,333
Capital expenditures	—			—			(218,081		)	(2,953		)	—			(221,034		)
Payments received on notes receivable	—			—			4,357			—			—			4,357
Expenditures on assets held for sale	—			—			(5,935		)	—			—			(5,935		)
Payments received on assets held for sale	—			—			11,337			—			—			11,337
Payments received on equipment sale receivables	—			—			5,580			—			—			5,580
Dividends from subsidiary	—			—			6,700			—			(6,700		)	—
Payments received on intercompany notes payable	—			—			639			—			(639		)	—
Funding of intercompany notes payable	—			—			(884		)	—			884			—
Other investing activities	—			—			(500		)	—			—			(500		)
Net cash used in investing activities	—			—			(98,718		)	(3,513		)	(6,455		)	(108,686		)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Payment of deferred loan costs	—			—			(9,023		)	—			—			(9,023		)
Borrowings under accounts receivable securitization	—			—			—			211,000			—			211,000
Repayment of accounts receivable securitization	—			—			—			(187,000		)	—			(187,000		)
Repayment of long-term debt and capital leases	—			—			(232,953		)	(400		)	—			(233,353		)
Dividend to parent	—			—			—			(6,700		)	6,700			—
Proceeds from long term notes	—			—			10,000			—			—			10,000
Proceeds from intercompany notes payable	—			—			—			884			(884		)	—
Repayment of intercompany notes payable	—			—			—			(639		)	639			—
Net funding (to) from affiliates	(27,382		)	518			12,810			14,054			—			—
Net borrowings on revolver	—			—			4,834			—			—			4,834
Distribution to Central stockholders, pre-acquisition	—			—			(10,111		)	—			—			(10,111		)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	268			—			—			—			—			268
Income tax benefit from exercise of stock options	(322		)	—			—			—			—			(322		)
Other financing activities	—			—			(952		)	—			—			(952		)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(27,436		)	518			(225,395		)	31,199			6,455			(214,659		)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(11,132		)	—			(32,482		)	4,851			—			(38,763		)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	11,132			—			64,717			6,235			—			82,084
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	—		$	—		$	32,235		$	11,086		$	—		$	43,321

Acquisition_Tables

Acquisition (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Business Combinations [Abstract]	'
Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Information [Table Text Block]	'
		31-Dec-12
		Swift			Central				Intercompany
		Transportation			Refrigerated				Elimination				Total
		Company			Transportation Inc.				Entries				(Recast)
	Total current assets	$	674,537		$	68,211			$	(657	)		$	742,091
	Total assets	2,632,178			160,560				(757		)		2,791,981
	Total current liabilities	323,293			60,813				(657		)		383,449
	Total liabilities	2,402,067			100,367				(657		)		2,501,777
	Total stockholders' equity	$	230,111		$	60,193			$	(100	)		$	290,204
		Three Months Ended September 30, 2012
		Swift			Central					Intercompany
		Transportation			Refrigerated					Elimination				Total
		Company			Transportation Inc.					Entries				(Recast)
	Operating revenue	$	871,094		$	121,990				$	(460	)		$	992,624
	Operating income	$	70,357		$	6,833				—				$	77,190
	Net income	$	27,852		$	5,804				$	—			$	33,656
	Basic earnings per share	$	0.2		$	0.04		(1)		$	—			$	0.24
	Diluted earnings per share	$	0.2		$	0.04		(1)		$	—			$	0.24
		Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012
	Operating revenue	$	2,570,563		$	359,213				$	(1,251	)		$	2,928,525
	Operating income	$	214,936		$	20,876				—				$	235,812
	Net income	$	67,739		$	17,664				$	—			$	85,403
	Basic earnings per share	$	0.49		$	0.13		(1	)	$	—			$	0.61
	Diluted earnings per share	$	0.49		$	0.13		(1	)	$	—			$	0.61
	Net cash provided by operating activities	$	259,246		$	25,336				$	—			$	284,582
	Net cash used in investing activities	$	(106,839	)	$	(1,847	)			—				$	(108,686	)
	Net cash used in financing activities	$	(191,170	)	$	(23,489	)			$	—			$	(214,659	)
	(1)Represents Central's pro-forma basic and diluted earnings per share based on Swift's diluted weighted average share count for the applicable period.

Investments_Tables

Investments (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Schedule of Investments [Abstract]	'
Amortized Cost, Gross Unrealized Gains And Losses, Estimated Fair Value Of Fixed Maturity Securities	'
	The following table presents the cost or amortized cost, gross unrealized gains and losses, and estimated fair value of the Company’s restricted investments as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 (in thousands):
		30-Sep-13
		Cost or		Gross Unrealized				Estimated
		Amortized		Gains		Temporary		Fair
		Cost				Losses		Value
	U.S. corporate securities	$	16,293	$	2	$	6	$	16,289
	Foreign corporate securities	5,522		2		—		5,524
	Negotiable certificate of deposits	2,360		—		1		2,359
	Total restricted investments	$	24,175	$	4	$	7	$	24,172
		December 31, 2012
		Cost or		Gross Unrealized				Estimated
		Amortized				Temporary		Fair
		Cost		Gains		Losses		Value
	U.S. corporate securities	$	20,274	$	3	$	8	$	20,269
	Foreign corporate securities	2,001		1		—		2,002
	Total restricted investments	$	22,275	$	4	$	8	$	22,271

Intangible_Assets_Tables

Intangible Assets (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Schedule Of Intangible Assets	'
	Intangible assets as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 were as follows (in thousands):
		30-Sep-13			31-Dec-12
	Customer Relationship:
	Gross carrying value	$	275,324		$	275,324
	Accumulated amortization	(135,411		)	(122,800		)
	Owner-Operator Relationship:
	Gross carrying value	3,396			3,396
	Accumulated amortization	(3,396		)	(3,396		)
	Trade Name:
	Gross carrying value	181,037			181,037
	Intangible assets, net	$	320,950		$	333,561
Amortization expense related to the 2007 going private transaction	'
	The following table presents amortization of intangibles for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, related to intangible assets recognized in conjunction with the 2007 going private transaction and the previous intangible assets existing prior to the 2007 going private transaction (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2013			2012			2013		2012
	Amortization of intangible assets related to 2007 going private transaction	$	3,912		$	3,912		$	11,736	$	11,846
	Amortization of intangible assets related to intangible assets existing prior to the 2007 going private transaction	292			291			875		875
	Amortization of intangibles	$	4,204		$	4,203		$	12,611	$	12,721

Assets_Held_For_Sale_Tables

Assets Held For Sale (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Text Block [Abstract]	'
Schedule Of Assets Held For Sale	'
	Assets held for sale as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 was as follows (in thousands):
		30-Sep-13		31-Dec-12
	Land and facilities	$	3,715	$	25,148
	Revenue equipment	6,182		6,396
	Assets held for sale	$	9,897	$	31,544

Debt_And_Financing_Transaction1

Debt And Financing Transactions (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Schedule Of Long-Term Debt Outstanding	'
	Other than the Company’s accounts receivable securitization as discussed in Note 10 and its outstanding capital lease obligations as discussed in Note 11, the Company had long-term debt outstanding as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 as follows (in thousands):
		30-Sep-13		31-Dec-12
				(Recast)
	Senior secured first lien term loan B-1 tranche due December 2016	$	238,000	$	—
	Senior secured first lien term loan B-2 tranche due December 2017	410,000		—
	Senior secured first lien term loan B-1 tranche due December 2016, net of $405 OID as of December 31, 2012	—		157,095
	Senior secured first lien term loan B-2 tranche due December 2017, net of $1,440 OID as of December 31, 2012	—		575,560
	Senior second priority secured notes due November 15, 2018, net of $6,491 and $7,439 OID as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively	493,509		492,561
	Other	9,121		11,126
	Central Debt
	Various notes payable to financing companies, due dates through May 2015, secured by revenue equipment, assumed in the Acquisition	4,974		11,508
	Note payable to a bank, due March 2016, secured by real estate, repaid at closing of the Acquisition	—		4,066
	Notes payable to a financing company, due June 2013, secured by prepaid insurance premiums, repaid at closing of the Acquisition	—		816
	Total	1,155,604		1,252,732
	Less: current portion	8,391		18,926
	Long-term debt	$	1,147,213	$	1,233,806

Derivative_Financial_Instrumen1

Derivative Financial Instruments (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Classification Of Gains And Losses On Interest Rate Derivative Contracts Designated As Hedging Instruments	'
	The following table presents the changes in fair value, pre-tax of derivatives designated as cash flow hedges had on accumulated OCI and earnings (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2013			2012			2013			2012
					(Recast)						(Recast)
	Amount of loss recognized in OCI on derivatives (effective portion)	$	—		$	567		$	145		$	2,597
	Amount of loss reclassified from accumulated OCI into income as “Derivative interest expense” (effective portion)	$	(1,106	)	$	(448	)	$	(2,065	)	$	(5,101	)
Pre-Tax Gains And Losses On Interest Rate Derivative Contracts De-Designated As Hedging Instruments	'
	The following tables presents information about pre-tax gains and losses recognized in earnings on the Company’s interest rate derivative contracts that were de-designated on February 28, 2013 as hedging instruments under ASC Topic 815, is as follows (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2013			2012			2013			2012
	Amount of loss recognized in income as “Derivative interest expense”	$	(359	)	$	—		$	(494	)	$	—

Fair_Value_Measurement_Tables

Fair Value Measurement (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Carrying Amounts And Estimated Fair Values Of Financial Instruments	'
	The following table presents the carrying amounts and estimated fair values of the Company’s financial instruments as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 (in thousands):
		30-Sep-13				31-Dec-12
		Carrying		Estimated		Carrying		Estimated
		Value		Fair Value		Value		Fair Value
						(Recast)		(Recast)
	Financial Assets:
	Restricted investments	$	24,175	$	24,172	$	22,275	$	22,271
	Financial Liabilities:
	Senior secured first lien term loan B-1 tranche (2013 Agreement)	238,000		238,595		—		—
	Senior secured first lien term loan B-2 tranche (2013 Agreement)	410,000		411,845		—		—
	Senior secured first lien term loan B-1 tranche (2012 Agreement)	—		—		157,095		157,346
	Senior secured first lien term loan B-2 tranche (2012 Agreement)	—		—		575,560		582,236
	Senior second priority secured notes	493,509		550,263		492,561		541,817
	Securitization of accounts receivable	260,000		260,000		204,000		204,000
	Central Financial Liabilities:
	Various notes payables to financing companies, due dates through May 2015, secured by revenue equipment	4,974		4,974		11,508		11,508
	Note payable to a bank, due March 2016	—		—		4,066		4,066
	Note payable to a financing company, due June 2013	—		—		816		816
Liabilities That Were Measured At Estimated Fair Value On Recurring Basis	'
	As of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, no assets of the Company were measured at estimated fair value on a recurring basis. As of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, information about inputs into the estimated fair value measurements of each major category of the Company’s liabilities that were measured at estimated fair value on a recurring basis in periods subsequent to their initial recognition was as follows (in thousands):
				Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using
	Description	Total		Quoted Prices in		Significant		Significant
		Estimated		Active  Markets for		Other		Unobservable
		Fair Value		Identical Assets or		Observable		Inputs
				Liabilities		Inputs		(Level 3)
				(Level 1)		(Level 2)
	As of September 30, 2013
	Interest rate swaps	$	12,453	$	—	$	12,453	$	—
	As of December 31, 2012 (Recast)
	Interest rate swaps	$	13,350	$	—	$	13,350	$	—
Assets That Were Measured At Estimated Fair Value On Nonrecurring Basis	'
	As of September 30, 2013, no assets of the Company were measured at estimated fair value on a nonrecurring basis. As of December 31, 2012, information about inputs into the estimated fair value measurements of the Company’s assets that were measured at estimated fair value on a nonrecurring basis in the period is as follows (in thousands):
				Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using
		Total		Quoted Prices		Significant		Significant		Total Gains (Losses)
		Estimated Fair Value		in Active		Other		Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
				Markets for		Observable Inputs (Level 2)
	Description			Identical Assets (Level 1)
	As of December 31, 2012
	Real property	$	665	$	—	$	—	$	665	$	(1,065	)
	Other assets	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	(2,322	)
	Note receivable	$	1,000	$	—	$	—	$	1,000	$	(5,979	)

Earnings_Per_Share_Tables

Earnings Per Share (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Calculation Of Basic And Diluted Earnings Per Share Attributable To Stockholders	'
	The computation of basic and diluted earnings per share is as follows:
			Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
			2013		2012		2013		2012
					(Recast)				(Recast)
			(In thousands, except
			per share amounts)
	Net income		$	29,953	$	33,656	$	110,124	$	85,403
	Basic:
	Weighted average common shares outstanding		140,327		139,535		140,004		139,526
	Diluted:
	Dilutive effect of stock options		1,988		11		1,938		105
	Total weighted average diluted shares outstanding		142,315		139,546		141,942		139,631
	Anti-dilutive shares excluded from the diluted earnings per share calculation (1)		—		5,789		181		4,428
	Earnings per share:
	Basic earnings per share		$	0.21	$	0.24	$	0.79	$	0.61
	Diluted earnings per share		$	0.21	$	0.24	$	0.78	$	0.61
	-1	Impact of outstanding options to purchase shares of the Company’s Class A common stock were anti-dilutive because the options exercise price was greater than the average market price of the common shares and were excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share.

Segment_Information_Tables

Segment Information (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Summary Of Financial Information By Segments	'
	Set forth in the tables below is certain financial information with respect to the Company’s reportable segments (in thousands):
		Operating Revenue
		Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2013			2012			2013			2012
					(Recast)						(Recast)
	Truckload	$	579,494		$	564,802		$	1,727,813		$	1,691,242
	Dedicated	184,550			182,843			546,427			536,255
	Central Refrigerated	136,484			121,990			393,094			359,213
	Intermodal	89,759			86,063			251,459			236,228
	Subtotal	990,287			955,698			2,918,793			2,822,938
	Nonreportable segments	49,038			50,828			159,461			152,321
	Intersegment eliminations	(7,198		)	(13,902		)	(35,448		)	(46,734		)
	Consolidated operating revenue	$	1,032,127		$	992,624		$	3,042,806		$	2,928,525
		Operating Income (Loss)
		Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2013			2012			2013			2012
					(Recast)						(Recast)
	Truckload	$	58,053		$	53,818		$	165,070		$	168,366
	Dedicated	20,508			17,082			63,725			50,104
	Central Refrigerated	4,165			6,833			19,881			20,876
	Intermodal	1,979			(2,505		)	934			(6,409		)
	Subtotal	84,705			75,228			249,610			232,937
	Nonreportable segments	(285		)	1,962			4,794			2,875
	Consolidated operating income	$	84,420		$	77,190		$	254,404		$	235,812
		Depreciation and Amortization
		Expense
		Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2013			2012			2013			2012
					(Recast)						(Recast)
	Truckload	$	32,696		$	29,184		$	96,076		$	90,667
	Dedicated	11,711			11,296			33,439			33,654
	Central Refrigerated	4,060			4,706			12,951			14,283
	Intermodal	2,236			2,418			6,858			6,612
	Subtotal	50,703			47,604			149,324			145,216
	Nonreportable segments	7,551			6,390			20,680			19,138
	Consolidated depreciation and amortization expense	$	58,254		$	53,994		$	170,004		$	164,354

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv1

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Equity [Abstract]	'
Summary of accumulated other comprehensive income	'
	The following table is a reconciliation of accumulated other comprehensive income by component (in thousands):
		Derivative Financial Instruments			Foreign Currency Transactions		Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
	Balance as of December 31, 2012 (Recast)	$	(8,285	)	$	83	$	(8,202	)
	Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications	14			—		14
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss	1,362			—		1,362
	Net current-period other comprehensive income	1,376			—		1,376
	Balance as of September 30, 2013	$	(6,909	)	$	83	$	(6,826	)
	All amounts are net-of-tax. Amounts in parenthesis indicate debits.
Reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income	'
	The following table presents details about reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive loss for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 are as follows (in thousands):
		Amount Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
		Three Months Ended September 30,					Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2013			2012		2013			2012		Statement of Operations Classifications
	Gains and losses on cash flow hedging:
	Interest rate swaps	$	1,106		$	448	$	2,065		$	5,101	Derivative interest expense
	Income tax (benefit) expense	(431		)	175		(805		)	1,990		Income tax expense
		$	675		$	623	$	1,260		$	7,091	Net income

Guarantor_Condensed_Consolidat1

Guarantor Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Text Block [Abstract]	'
Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet	'
	Condensed consolidating balance sheet as of September 30, 2013 (in thousands)
		Swift			Swift			Guarantor			Non-			Eliminations			Consolidated
		Transportation			Services			Subsidiaries			Guarantor			for
		Company			Holdings, Inc.						Subsidiaries			Consolidation
		(Parent)			(Issuer)
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	—		$	—		$	45,175		$	6,254		$	—		$	51,429
	Restricted cash	—			—			—			50,376			—			50,376
	Restricted investments, held to maturity, amortized cost										24,175						24,175
	Accounts receivable, net	12			—			80,214			336,047			(3,196		)	413,077
	Intercompany receivable (payable)	59,316			421,949			(558,892		)	77,627			—			—
	Other current assets	54,720			(2,383		)	121,617			15,090			—			189,044
	Total current assets	114,048			419,566			(311,886		)	509,569			(3,196		)	728,101
	Property and equipment, net	—			—			1,466,216			38,871			—			1,505,087
	Investment in subsidiaries	184,739			834,121			958,140						(1,977,000		)	—
	Other assets	—			2,008			50,236			4,839			(52		)	57,031
	Intangible assets, net	—			—			311,102			9,848			—			320,950
	Goodwill	—			—			246,977			6,279			—			253,256
	Total assets	$	298,787		$	1,255,695		2,720,785			$	569,406		$	(1,980,248	)	$	2,864,425
	Current portion of long-term debt and obligations under capital leases	$	—		$	—		$	59,038		$	3,261		$	(26	)	$	62,273
	Other current liabilities	1,857			18,889			321,947			31,093			(3,196		)	370,590
	Total current liabilities	1,857			18,889			380,985			34,354			(3,222		)	432,863
	Long-term debt and obligations under capital leases, less current portion	—			493,509			788,732			4,092			(26		)	1,286,307
	Deferred income taxes	(17,915		)	(419		)	484,634			5,964			—			472,264
	Securitization of accounts receivable	—			—			—			260,000			—			260,000
	Revolving line of credit	—			—			62,000			—			—			62,000
	Other liabilities	—			—			65,736			50,421			—			116,157
	Total liabilities	(16,058		)	511,979			1,782,087			354,831			(3,248		)	2,629,591
	Total stockholders’ equity	314,845			743,716			938,698			214,575			(1,977,000		)	234,834
	Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	298,787		$	1,255,695		$	2,720,785		$	569,406		$	(1,980,248	)	$	2,864,425
	Condensed consolidating balance sheet as of December 31, 2012 (in thousands)
		Swift			Swift			Guarantor			Non-			Eliminations			Consolidated
		Transportation			Services			Subsidiaries			Guarantor			for
		Company			Holdings, Inc.						Subsidiaries			Consolidation
		(Parent)			(Issuer)
								(Recast)						(Recast)			(Recast)
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	—		$	—		$	43,877		$	9,719		$	—		$	53,596
	Restricted cash	—			—			—			51,678			—			51,678
	Restricted investments, held to maturity, amortized cost	—			—			—			22,275			—			22,275
	Accounts receivable, net	—			—			72,319			324,597			(4,146		)	392,770
	Intercompany receivable (payable)	24,239			430,030			(507,934		)	53,665			—			—
	Other current assets	57,914			181			150,090			13,587			—			221,772
	Total current assets	82,153			430,211			(241,648		)	475,521			(4,146		)	742,091
	Property and equipment, net	—			—			1,360,358			37,178			—			1,397,536
	Investment in subsidiaries	106,194			757,590			904,412			—			(1,768,196		)	—
	Other assets	250			2,301			87,631			4,974			(29,619		)	65,537
	Intangible assets, net	—			—			323,134			10,427			—			333,561
	Goodwill	—			—			246,977			6,279			—			253,256
	Total assets	$	188,597		$	1,190,102		$	2,680,864		$	534,379		$	(1,801,961	)	$	2,791,981
	Current portion of long-term debt and obligations under capital leases	$	—		$	—		$	71,705		$	28,301		$	(26,509	)	$	73,497
	Other current liabilities	1,656			6,389			277,738			28,315			(4,146		)	309,952
	Total current liabilities	1,656			6,389			349,443			56,616			(30,655		)	383,449
	Long-term debt and obligations under capital leases, less current portion	—			492,561			861,534			6,116			(3,110		)	1,357,101
	Deferred income taxes	(19,372		)	(346		)	456,098			5,001			—			441,381
	Securitization of accounts receivable	—			—			—			204,000			—			204,000
	Revolving line of credit	—			—			2,531			—			—			2,531
	Other liabilities	—			—			63,739			49,576			—			113,315
	Total liabilities	(17,716		)	498,604			1,733,345			321,309			(33,765		)	2,501,777
	Total stockholders’ equity	206,313			691,498			947,519			213,070			(1,768,196		)	290,204
	Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	188,597		$	1,190,102		$	2,680,864		$	534,379		$	(1,801,961	)	$	2,791,981
Condensed Consolidating Statement Of Operations	'
	Condensed consolidating statement of operations for the three months ended September 30, 2013 (in thousands)
		Swift			Swift			Guarantor			Non-			Eliminations			Consolidated
		Transportation			Services			Subsidiaries			Guarantor			for
		Company			Holdings, Inc.						Subsidiaries			Consolidation
		(Parent)			(Issuer)
	Operating revenue	$	—		$	—		$	1,015,440		$	38,205		$	(21,518	)	$	1,032,127
	Operating expenses:
	Salaries, wages and employee benefits	1,081			—			211,717			7,358			—			220,156
	Operating supplies and expenses	552			2			84,036			2,931			(2,317		)	85,204
	Fuel	—			—			154,478			6,083			—			160,561
	Purchased transportation	—			—			328,677			2,274			(12,630		)	318,321
	Rental expense	—			—			45,639			781			(158		)	46,262
	Insurance and claims	—			—			28,956			12,567			(6,413		)	35,110
	Depreciation and amortization of property and equipment	—			—			57,032			1,222			—			58,254
	Amortization of intangibles	—			—			4,011			193			—			4,204
	Gain on disposal of property and equipment	—			—			(5,622		)	3			—			(5,619		)
	Communication and utilities	—			—			6,444			235			—			6,679
	Operating taxes and licenses	—			—			16,034			2,541			—			18,575
	Total operating expenses	1,633			2			931,402			36,188			(21,518		)	947,707
	Operating income (loss)	(1,633		)	(2		)	84,038			2,017			—			84,420
	Interest expense, net	—			12,913			11,780			763			—			25,456
	Other (income) expenses, net	(34,203		)	(31,083		)	(20,238		)	(2,574		)	90,953			2,855
	Income before income taxes	32,570			18,168			92,496			3,828			(90,953		)	56,109
	Income tax expense (benefit)	2,819			(4,853		)	27,007			1,183			—			26,156
	Net income	$	29,751		$	23,021		$	65,489		$	2,645		$	(90,953	)	$	29,953
	Condensed consolidating statement of operations for the three months ended September 30, 2012 (in thousands)
		Swift			Swift			Guarantor			Non-			Eliminations			Consolidated
		Transportation			Services			Subsidiaries			Guarantor			for
		Company			Holdings, Inc.						Subsidiaries			Consolidation
		(Parent)			(Issuer)
								(Recast)						(Recast)			(Recast)
	Operating revenue	$	—		$	—		$	979,004		$	33,441		$	(19,821	)	$	992,624
	Operating expenses:
	Salaries, wages and employee benefits	1,401			—			210,855			6,351			—			218,607
	Operating supplies and expenses	836			2			73,067			3,270			(1,838		)	75,337
	Fuel	—			—			164,049			4,907			—			168,956
	Purchased transportation	—			—			316,612			2,876			(13,460		)	306,028
	Rental expense	—			—			39,040			289			(161		)	39,168
	Insurance and claims	—			—			24,972			8,865			(4,362		)	29,475
	Depreciation and amortization of property and equipment	—			—			53,063			931			—			53,994
	Amortization of intangibles	—			—			4,010			193			—			4,203
	Gain on disposal of property and equipment	—			—			(4,353		)	10			—			(4,343		)
	Communication and utilities	—			—			6,460			239			—			6,699
	Operating taxes and licenses	—			—			15,320			1,990			—			17,310
	Total operating expenses	2,237			2			903,095			29,921			(19,821		)	915,434
	Operating income (loss)	(2,237		)	(2		)	75,909			3,520			—			77,190
	Interest expense, net	—			12,913			15,235			723			—			28,871
	Other (income) expenses, net	(27,627		)	380			6,916			(2,203		)	22,111			(423		)
	Income (loss) before income taxes	25,390			(13,295		)	53,758			5,000			(22,111		)	48,742
	Income tax expense (benefit)	(2,462		)	(4,818		)	20,707			1,659			—			15,086
	Net income (loss)	$	27,852		$	(8,477	)	$	33,051		$	3,341		$	(22,111	)	$	33,656
	Condensed consolidating statement of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 (in thousands)
		Swift			Swift			Guarantor			Non-			Eliminations			Consolidated
		Transportation			Services			Subsidiaries			Guarantor			for
		Company			Holdings, Inc.						Subsidiaries			Consolidation
		(Parent)			(Issuer)
	Operating revenue	$	—		$	—		$	2,989,063		$	117,644		$	(63,901	)	$	3,042,806
	Operating expenses:
	Salaries, wages and employee benefits	2,459			—			645,784			22,250			—			670,493
	Operating supplies and expenses	1,682			6			229,568			10,960			(5,949		)	236,267
	Fuel	—			—			470,395			19,168			—			489,563
	Purchased transportation	—			—			948,073			8,892			(38,371		)	918,594
	Rental expense	—			—			127,789			2,578			(486		)	129,881
Insurance and claims	—			—			85,249			34,091			(19,095		)	100,245
Depreciation and amortization of property and equipment	—			—			166,582			3,422			—			170,004
Amortization of intangibles	—			—			12,032			579			—			12,611
Gain on disposal of property and equipment	—			—			(13,634		)	24			—			(13,610		)
Communication and utilities	—			—			18,486			659			—			19,145
Operating taxes and licenses	—			—			47,203			8,006			—			55,209
Total operating expenses	4,141			6			2,737,527			110,629			(63,901		)	2,788,402
Operating income (loss)	(4,141		)	(6		)	251,536			7,015			—			254,404
Interest expense, net	—			38,740			34,534			3,263			—			76,537
Other (income) expenses, net	(78,546		)	(76,531		)	(51,509		)	(7,920		)	214,443			(63		)
Income before income taxes	74,405			37,785			268,511			11,672			(214,443		)	177,930
Income tax expense (benefit)	(21,629		)	(14,435		)	99,343			4,527			—			67,806
Net income	$	96,034		$	52,220		$	169,168		$	7,145		$	(214,443	)	$	110,124
Condensed consolidating statement of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 (in thousands)
	Swift			Swift			Guarantor			Non-			Eliminations			Consolidated
	Transportation			Services			Subsidiaries			Guarantor			for
	Company			Holdings, Inc.						Subsidiaries			Consolidation
	(Parent)			(Issuer)
							(Recast)						(Recast)			(Recast)
Operating revenue	$	—		$	—		$	2,881,754		$	101,352		$	(54,581	)	$	2,928,525
Operating expenses:
Salaries, wages and employee benefits	4,131			—			631,337			19,832			—			655,300
Operating supplies and expenses	2,068			10			209,196			9,850			(5,347		)	215,777
Fuel	—			—			485,059			15,530			—			500,589
Purchased transportation	—			—			909,985			7,251			(35,822		)	881,414
Rental expense	—			—			108,388			898			(514		)	108,772
Insurance and claims	—			—			78,693			27,197			(12,898		)	92,992
Depreciation and amortization of property and equipment	—			—			161,620			2,734			—			164,354
Amortization of intangibles	—			—			12,137			584			—			12,721
Impairments	—			—			1,065			—			—			1,065
Gain on disposal of property and equipment	—			—			(13,897		)	10			—			(13,887		)
Communication and utilities	—			—			19,283			715			—			19,998
Operating taxes and licenses	—			—			47,139			6,479			—			53,618
Total operating expenses	6,199			10			2,650,005			91,080			(54,581		)	2,692,713
Operating income (loss), net	(6,199		)	(10		)	231,749			10,272			—			235,812
Interest expense, net	—			38,740			55,089			3,254			—			97,083
Other (income) expenses	(68,912		)	(55,557		)	(13,340		)	(7,251		)	164,813			19,753
Income before income taxes	62,713			16,807			190,000			14,269			(164,813		)	118,976
Income tax expense (benefit)	(5,026		)	(14,459		)	47,867			5,191			—			33,573
Net income	$	67,739		$	31,266		$	142,133		$	9,078		$	(164,813	)	$	85,403
Condensed Consolidating Statement Of Comprehensive Income	'
	Condensed consolidating statement of comprehensive income for the three months ended September 30, 2013 (in thousands)
		Swift			Swift Services			Guarantor			Non-			Eliminations			Consolidated
		Transportation			Holdings, Inc.			Subsidiaries			Guarantor			for
		Company			(Issuer)						Subsidiaries			Consolidation
		(Parent)
	Net income	$	29,751		$	23,021		$	65,489		$	2,645		$	(90,953	)	$	29,953
	Other comprehensive income before income taxes:
	Accumulated losses on derivatives reclassified to derivative interest expense	—			—			1,106			—			—			1,106
	Change in fair value of interest rate swaps	—			—			—			—			—			—
	Other comprehensive income before income taxes	—			—			1,106			—			—			1,106
	Income tax effect of items of other comprehensive income	—			—			(326		)	—			—			(326		)
	Total comprehensive income	$	29,751		$	23,021		$	66,269		$	2,645		$	(90,953	)	$	30,733
	Condensed consolidating statement of comprehensive income for the three months ended September 30, 2012 (in thousands)
		Swift			Swift Services			Guarantor			Non-			Eliminations			Consolidated
		Transportation			Holdings, Inc.			Subsidiaries			Guarantor			for
		Company			(Issuer)						Subsidiaries			Consolidation
		(Parent)
								(Recast)						(Recast)			(Recast)
	Net income (loss)	$	27,852		$	(8,477	)	$	33,051		$	3,341		$	(22,111	)	$	33,656
	Other comprehensive income before income taxes:
	Accumulated losses on derivatives reclassified to derivative interest expense	—			—			448			—			—			448
	Change in fair value of interest rate swaps	—			—			(567		)	—			—			(567		)
	Other comprehensive income before income taxes	—			—			(119		)	—			—			(119		)
	Income tax effect of items of other comprehensive income	—			—			232			—			—			232
	Total comprehensive income (loss)	$	27,852		$	(8,477	)	$	33,164		$	3,341		$	(22,111	)	$	33,769
	Condensed consolidating statement of comprehensive income for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 (in thousands)
		Swift			Swift Services			Guarantor			Non-			Eliminations			Consolidated
		Transportation			Holdings, Inc.			Subsidiaries			Guarantor			for
		Company			(Issuer)						Subsidiaries			Consolidation
		(Parent)
	Net income	$	96,034		$	52,220		$	169,168		$	7,145		$	(214,443	)	$	110,124
	Other comprehensive income before income taxes:
	Accumulated losses on derivatives reclassified to derivative interest expense	—			—			2,065			—			—			2,065
	Change in fair value of interest rate swaps	—			—			(145		)	—			—			(145		)
	Other comprehensive income before income taxes	—			—			1,920			—			—			1,920
	Income tax effect of items of other comprehensive income	—			—			(544		)	—			—			(544		)
	Total comprehensive income	$	96,034		$	52,220		$	170,544		$	7,145		$	(214,443	)	$	111,500
	Condensed consolidating statement of comprehensive income for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 (in thousands)
		Swift			Swift Services			Guarantor			Non-			Eliminations			Consolidated
		Transportation			Holdings, Inc.			Subsidiaries			Guarantor			for
		Company			(Issuer)						Subsidiaries			Consolidation
		(Parent)
								(Recast)						(Recast)			(Recast)
	Net income	$	67,739		$	31,266		$	142,133		$	9,078		$	(164,813	)	$	85,403
	Other comprehensive income before income taxes:
	Accumulated losses on derivatives reclassified to derivative interest expense	—			—			5,101			—			—			5,101
	Change in fair value of interest rate swaps	—			—			(2,597		)	—			—			(2,597		)
	Other comprehensive income before income taxes	—			—			2,504			—			—			2,504
	Income tax effect of items of other comprehensive income	—			—			1,050			—			—			1,050
	Total comprehensive income	$	67,739		$	31,266		$	145,687		$	9,078		$	(164,813	)	$	88,957
Condensed Consolidating Statement Of Cash Flows	'
	Condensed consolidating statement of cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 (in thousands)
		Swift			Swift Services			Guarantor			Non-			Eliminations			Consolidated
		Transportation			Holdings, Inc.			Subsidiaries			Guarantor			for
		Company			(Issuer)						Subsidiaries			Consolidation
		(Parent)
	Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	$	25,038		$	(8,081	)	$	359,079		$	(20,173	)	$	—		$	355,863
	Cash flows from investing activities:
	Decrease in restricted cash	—			—			—			1,302			—			1,302
	Change in restricted investments	—			—			—			(1,900		)	—			(1,900		)
	Proceeds from sale of property and equipment	—			—			75,663			149			—			75,812
	Capital expenditures	—			—			(231,701		)	(5,289		)	—			(236,990		)
	Payments received on notes receivable				—			2,775			—			—			2,775
	Expenditures on assets held for sale	—			—			(17,442		)	—			—			(17,442		)
	Payments received on assets held for sale	—			—			47,365			—			—			47,365
	Payments received on equipment sale receivables	—			—			1,266			—			—			1,266
	Dividends from subsidiary	—			—			6,800			—			(6,800		)	—
	Payments received on intercompany notes payable	—			—			3,399			—			(3,399		)	—
	Capital contribution to subsidiary							(1,160		)	—			1,160			—
	Acquisition of Central Refrigerated, net of debt repayment	—			—			(147,822		)	—			—			(147,822		)
	Net cash used in investing activities	—			—			(260,857		)	(5,738		)	(9,039		)	(275,634		)
	Cash flows from financing activities:
	Proceeds from long-term debt	—			—			16,000			10,268			—			26,268
	Payment of deferred loan costs	—			—			(1,332		)	(851		)	—			(2,183		)
	Borrowings under accounts receivable securitization	—			—			—			180,000			—			180,000
	Repayment of accounts receivable securitization	—			—			—			(124,000		)	—			(124,000		)
	Repayment of long-term debt and capital leases	—			—			(192,041		)	(7,449		)	—			(199,490		)
	Repayment of intercompany notes payable	—			—			—			(3,399		)	3,399			—
	Dividend to parent	—			—			—			(6,800		)	6,800			—
	Capital contribution	—			—			—			1,160			(1,160		)	—
	Net funding (to) from affiliates	(35,077		)	8,081			53,479			(26,483		)	—			—
	Distribution to Central stockholders, pre-acquisition	—			—			(2,499		)	—			—			(2,499		)
	Issuance of Central loan receivable, pre-acquisition	—			—			(30,000		)	—			—			(30,000		)
	Net borrowings on revolver	—			—			59,469			—			—			59,469
	Proceeds from exercise of stock options	10,422			—			—			—			—			10,422
	Income tax benefit from exercise of stock options	(383		)	—			—			—			—			(383		)
	Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(25,038		)	8,081			(96,924		)	22,446			9,039			(82,396		)
	Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	—			—			1,298			(3,465		)	—			(2,167		)
	Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	—			—			43,877			9,719			—			53,596
	Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	—		$	—		$	45,175		$	6,254		$	—		$	51,429
	Condensed consolidating statement of cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 (in thousands)
		Swift			Swift Services			Guarantor			Non-			Eliminations			Consolidated
		Transportation			Holdings, Inc.			Subsidiaries			Guarantor			for
		Company			(Issuer)						Subsidiaries			Consolidation
		(Parent)
								(Recast)									(Recast)
	Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	$	16,304		$	(518	)	$	291,631		$	(22,835	)	$	—		$	284,582
	Cash flows from investing activities:
	Decrease in restricted cash	—			—			—			16,892			—			16,892
	Change in restricted investments	—			—			—			(18,216		)	—			(18,216		)
	Funding of notes receivable	—			—			(7,500		)	—			—			(7,500		)
	Proceeds from sale of property and equipment	—			—			105,569			764			—			106,333
	Capital expenditures	—			—			(218,081		)	(2,953		)	—			(221,034		)
	Payments received on notes receivable	—			—			4,357			—			—			4,357
	Expenditures on assets held for sale	—			—			(5,935		)	—			—			(5,935		)
	Payments received on assets held for sale	—			—			11,337			—			—			11,337
	Payments received on equipment sale receivables	—			—			5,580			—			—			5,580
	Dividends from subsidiary	—			—			6,700			—			(6,700		)	—
	Payments received on intercompany notes payable	—			—			639			—			(639		)	—
	Funding of intercompany notes payable	—			—			(884		)	—			884			—
	Other investing activities	—			—			(500		)	—			—			(500		)
	Net cash used in investing activities	—			—			(98,718		)	(3,513		)	(6,455		)	(108,686		)
	Cash flows from financing activities:
	Payment of deferred loan costs	—			—			(9,023		)	—			—			(9,023		)
Borrowings under accounts receivable securitization	—			—			—			211,000			—			211,000
Repayment of accounts receivable securitization	—			—			—			(187,000		)	—			(187,000		)
Repayment of long-term debt and capital leases	—			—			(232,953		)	(400		)	—			(233,353		)
Dividend to parent	—			—			—			(6,700		)	6,700			—
Proceeds from long term notes	—			—			10,000			—			—			10,000
Proceeds from intercompany notes payable	—			—			—			884			(884		)	—
Repayment of intercompany notes payable	—			—			—			(639		)	639			—
Net funding (to) from affiliates	(27,382		)	518			12,810			14,054			—			—
Net borrowings on revolver	—			—			4,834			—			—			4,834
Distribution to Central stockholders, pre-acquisition	—			—			(10,111		)	—			—			(10,111		)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	268			—			—			—			—			268
Income tax benefit from exercise of stock options	(322		)	—			—			—			—			(322		)
Other financing activities	—			—			(952		)	—			—			(952		)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(27,436		)	518			(225,395		)	31,199			6,455			(214,659		)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(11,132		)	—			(32,482		)	4,851			—			(38,763		)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	11,132			—			64,717			6,235			—			82,084
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	—		$	—		$	32,235		$	11,086		$	—		$	43,321

Basis_Of_Presentation_Detail

Basis Of Presentation (Detail)	2 Months Ended	7 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Aug. 06, 2013
	Segment	Segment
	Vehicle
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'	'
Number of reportable operating segment	4	'
Number of company operated national terminal network and tractor fleet	18,400	'
Number of tractors driven by company drivers	13,350	'
Number of owner-operator tractors	5,050	'
Number of fleet of trailers	57,500	'
Number of intermodal containers	8,700	'
Previous number of reportable segments	'	3

Acquisition_Details

Acquisition (Details) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2012

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2012

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2012

Dec. 31, 2012

Aug. 06, 2013

Aug. 06, 2013

Eliminations For Consolidation [Member]

Eliminations For Consolidation [Member]

Eliminations For Consolidation [Member]

Central Refrigerated Service, Inc. [Member]

Central Refrigerated Service, Inc. [Member]

Central Refrigerated Service, Inc. [Member]

Previously Reported [Member]

Previously Reported [Member]

Previously Reported [Member]

Central Refrigerated Service, Inc. [Member]

Central Refrigerated Service, Inc. [Member]

Mr. Moyes [Member]

Class B Common Stock [Member]

Business Acquisition [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Consideration transferred

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$225,000,000

'

Cash consideration

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

189,000,000

'

Liabilities assumed

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

36,000,000

'

Proceeds from Lines of Credit

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

85,000,000

'

Proceeds from Accounts Receivable Securitization

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

100,000,000

'

Total current assets

728,101,000

'

728,101,000

'

742,091,000

'

'

-657,000

'

'

68,211,000

'

'

674,537,000

'

'

Total assets

2,864,425,000

'

2,864,425,000

'

2,791,981,000

'

'

-757,000

'

'

160,560,000

'

'

2,632,178,000

'

'

Total current liabilities

432,863,000

'

432,863,000

'

383,449,000

'

'

-657,000

'

'

60,813,000

'

'

323,293,000

'

'

Total liabilities

2,629,591,000

'

2,629,591,000

'

2,501,777,000

'

'

-657,000

'

'

100,367,000

'

'

2,402,067,000

'

'

Total stockholdersb equity

234,834,000

'

234,834,000

'

290,204,000

'

'

-100,000

'

'

60,193,000

'

'

230,111,000

'

'

Operating revenue

1,032,127,000

992,624,000

3,042,806,000

2,928,525,000

'

-460,000

-1,251,000

'

121,990,000

359,213,000

'

871,094,000

2,570,563,000

'

'

'

Operating income (loss), net

84,420,000

77,190,000

254,404,000

235,812,000

'

0

0

'

6,833,000

20,876,000

'

70,357,000

214,936,000

'

'

'

Net income

29,953,000

33,656,000

110,124,000

85,403,000

'

0

0

'

5,804,000

17,664,000

'

27,852,000

67,739,000

'

'

'

Basic earnings per share

$0.21

$0.24

$0.79

$0.61

'

$0

'

'

$0.04

$0.13

'

$0.20

$0.49

'

'

'

Diluted earnings per share

$0.21

$0.24

$0.78

$0.61

'

$0

$0

'

$0.04

$0.13

'

$0.20

$0.49

'

'

'

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

'

'

355,863,000

284,582,000

'

'

0

'

'

25,336,000

'

'

259,246,000

'

'

'

Net cash used in investing activities

'

'

-275,634,000

-108,686,000

'

'

0

'

'

-1,847,000

'

'

-106,839,000

'

'

'

Net cash used in financing activities

'

'

($82,396,000)

($214,659,000)

'

'

$0

'

'

($23,489,000)

'

'

($191,170,000)

'

'

'

Business Combinations, Equity Interests Issued and Issuable, Held In Escrow

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,131,862

Income_Taxes_Detail

Income Taxes (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Effective tax rate	46.60%	31.00%	38.10%	28.20%
Increase (decrease) in expected effective tax rate	8.10%	8.00%	0.40%	10.80%
Income tax expected tax rate	'	'	38.50%	38.50%
Accrued interest and penalties	$1.50	'	$1.50	'
Anticipated decrease in unrecognized tax benefits during next twelve months	$0.80	'	$0.80	'
Tax years subject to examination	'	'	'2008 through 2012	'
Minimum [Member]	'	'	'	'
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
State of California and other state jurisdictions years	'	'	'2005	'
Maximum [Member]	'	'	'	'
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
State of California and other state jurisdictions years	'	'	'2012	'

Investments_Amortized_Cost_Gro

Investments (Amortized Cost, Gross Unrealized Gains And Losses, Estimated Fair Value Of Fixed Maturity Securities) (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Securities	Securities
Schedule of Held-to-maturity Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Securities with unrealized losses for less than 12 months	12	7
Maximum [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Held-to-maturity Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Contractual maturities of fixed maturity securities	'1 year	'
U.S. Corporate Securities [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Held-to-maturity Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Cost or Amortized Cost	16,293	20,274
Gross Unrealized, Gains	2	3
Gross Unrealized, Temporary Losses	6	8
Estimated Fair Value	16,289	20,269
Foreign Corporate Securities [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Held-to-maturity Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Cost or Amortized Cost	5,522	2,001
Gross Unrealized, Gains	2	1
Gross Unrealized, Temporary Losses	0	0
Estimated Fair Value	5,524	2,002
Negotiable Certificate Of Deposits [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Held-to-maturity Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Cost or Amortized Cost	2,360	'
Gross Unrealized, Gains	0	'
Gross Unrealized, Temporary Losses	1	'
Estimated Fair Value	2,359	'
Total Restricted Investments [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Held-to-maturity Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Cost or Amortized Cost	24,175	22,275
Gross Unrealized, Gains	4	4
Gross Unrealized, Temporary Losses	7	8
Estimated Fair Value	24,172	22,271

Intangible_Assets_Schedule_Of_

Intangible Assets (Schedule Of Intangible Assets) (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Intangible Asset Excluding Goodwill [Line Items]	'	'
Intangible assets, net	$320,950	$333,561
Trade Name [Member]	'	'
Intangible Asset Excluding Goodwill [Line Items]	'	'
Gross carrying value	181,037	181,037
Customer Relationship [Member]	'	'
Intangible Asset Excluding Goodwill [Line Items]	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross	275,324	275,324
Accumulated amortization	-135,411	-122,800
Owner-Operator Relationship [Member]	'	'
Intangible Asset Excluding Goodwill [Line Items]	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross	3,396	3,396
Accumulated amortization	($3,396)	($3,396)

Intangible_Assets_Narrative_De

Intangible Assets (Narrative) (Detail) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

In Thousands, unless otherwise specified

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Dec. 31, 2007

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

9-May-07

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Going Private Transaction [Member]

2007 Going private transaction [Member]

2007 Going private transaction [Member]

2007 Going private transaction [Member]

2007 Going private transaction [Member]

Customer Relationship [Member]

Customer Relationship [Member]

Customer Relationship [Member]

2007 Prior To Going Private Transaction [Member]

2007 Prior To Going Private Transaction [Member]

2007 Prior To Going Private Transaction [Member]

2007 Prior To Going Private Transaction [Member]

Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross

'

'

'

'

$261,200

'

'

'

'

'

$275,324

$275,324

'

'

'

'

Acquisition calculated on declining balance

'

'

150.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Estimated useful life of intangible assets in years

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'15 years

'

'

'

'

'

Amortization period of intangible assets in years

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'15 years

'

'

'

'

'

'

Amortization of Intangible Assets

$4,204

$4,203

$12,611

$12,721

'

$3,912

$3,912

$11,736

$11,846

'

'

'

$292

$291

$875

$875

Assets_Held_For_Sale_Schedule_

Assets Held For Sale (Schedule Of Assets Held For Sale) (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Long Lived Assets Held-for-sale [Line Items]	'	'
Assets held for sale	$9,897	$31,544
Land And Facilities [Member]	'	'
Long Lived Assets Held-for-sale [Line Items]	'	'
Assets held for sale	3,715	25,148
Revenue Equipment [Member]	'	'
Long Lived Assets Held-for-sale [Line Items]	'	'
Assets held for sale	$6,182	$6,396

Assets_Held_For_Sale_Narrative

Assets Held For Sale (Narrative) (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
			property
Assets Held-for-sale, Long Lived [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Period of time assets are expected to be sold, months	'12 months	'	'12 months	'
Number of properties sold	'	'	3	'
Asset held for sale	$25,600,000	'	$25,600,000	'
Gain (Loss) on Disposition of Other Assets	$798,000	$0	$6,876,000	$0

Equity_Investment_And_Note_Rec1

Equity Investment And Note Receivable- Swift Power Services, LLC (Detail) (USD $)

1 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

Feb. 29, 2012

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Dec. 31, 2012

Feb. 29, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

business

Swift Power Services, LLC [Member]

Swift Power Services, LLC [Member]

SPS Equity Investee [Member]

SPS Equity Investee [Member]

SPS Equity Investee [Member]

SPS Equity Investee [Member]

SPS Equity Investee [Member]

SPS Equity Investee [Member]

Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Ownership interest in Swift Power Services, LLC

'

'

'

'

'

49.95%

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of trucking companies to be acquired

3

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Company contribution in Swift Power Services, LLC

'

'

'

'

$0

$500,000

$0

$0

'

'

'

'

Secured promissory note loaned to SPS

'

'

'

'

'

7,500,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

Impairments of non-operating assets

'

6,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Equity losses of investee

'

'

228,000

889,000

'

'

'

'

378,000

325,000

277,000

683,000

Carrying value of note receivable, net

'

'

'

'

'

'

$0

$1,000,000

'

'

'

'

Revolving_Line_of_Credit_Detai

Revolving Line of Credit (Details) (USD $)

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2012

Aug. 06, 2013

Nov. 22, 2011

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2012

Mar. 07, 2013

Mar. 07, 2013

Mar. 07, 2013

Mar. 07, 2013

Mar. 07, 2013

In Millions, unless otherwise specified

LIBOR [Member]

LIBOR [Member]

LIBOR [Member]

Central Refrigerated Service, Inc. [Member]

Central Refrigerated Service, Inc. [Member]

Central Refrigerated Service, Inc. [Member]

Central Refrigerated Service, Inc. [Member]

Central Refrigerated Service, Inc. [Member]

Central Refrigerated Service, Inc. [Member]

Central Refrigerated Service, Inc. [Member]

Central Refrigerated Service, Inc. [Member]

Central Refrigerated Service, Inc. [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

CRS 2011 Agreement [Member]

CRS 2011 Agreement [Member]

CRS 2011 Agreement [Member]

CRS 2013 Agreement [Member]

CRS 2013 Agreement [Member]

CRS 2013 Agreement [Member]

CRS 2013 Agreement [Member]

CRS 2013 Agreement [Member]

Line of Credit [Member]

Line of Credit [Member]

Line of Credit [Member]

Loans Payable [Member]

Revolving Credit Facility [Member]

Revolving Credit Facility [Member]

Revolving Credit Facility [Member]

Revolving Credit Facility [Member]

LIBOR [Member]

LIBOR [Member]

LIBOR [Member]

LIBOR [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Face amount of debt

'

$874

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$16

$50

'

'

'

Amount outstanding

62

'

'

'

'

'

35

2.5

'

'

'

'

'

'

Effective interest rate

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2.56%

'

'

'

3.50%

'

'

Variable interest rate

'

'

4.50%

3.00%

3.25%

'

'

'

2.25%

'

'

'

2.25%

3.50%

Debt Instrument, Term

'

'

'

'

'

'

'2 years

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Maximum borrowing capacity, as a percentage of billed accounts receivable

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

85.00%

'

'

'

Maximum borrowing capacity, as a percentage of unbilled accounts receivable

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

75.00%

'

'

'

Debt Instrument, Periodic Payment Terms, Balloon Payment To Be Paid, As A Percent Of Principal

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

30.00%

'

'

'

'

Repayments of debt

'

'

'

'

'

$38

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt_And_Financing_Transaction2

Debt And Financing Transactions (Schedule Of Long-Term Debt Outstanding) (Detail) (USD $)	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Total	$1,155,604	$1,252,732
Other Long-term Debt	9,121	11,126
Less: current portion	8,391	18,926
Long-term Debt, Excluding Current Maturities	1,147,213	1,233,806
Senior Secured First Lien Term Loan B-1 Tranche Due December 2016 [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Total	0	157,095
Debt Instrument, Unamortized Discount	'	405
Maturity date of note	'December 2016	'December 2016
Senior Secured First Lien Term Loan B-1 Tranche Due December 2016 [Member] | B-1 Tranche [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Total	238,000	0
Senior Secured First Lien Term Loan B-2 Tranche Due December 2017 [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Total	0	575,560
Debt Instrument, Unamortized Discount	'	1,440
Maturity date of note	'December 2017	'December 2017
Senior Secured First Lien Term Loan B-2 Tranche Due December 2017 [Member] | B-2 Tranche [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Total	410,000	0
Senior Second Priority Secured Notes Due November 15, 2018 [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Total	493,509	492,561
Debt Instrument, Unamortized Discount	6,807	7,439
Maturity date of note	'November 15, 2018	'November 15, 2018
Notes payable, due May 2015 [Member] | Secured Debt [Member] | Central Refrigerated Service, Inc. [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Total	4,974	11,508
Notes payable, due March 2016 [Member] | Secured Debt [Member] | Central Refrigerated Service, Inc. [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Total	0	4,066
Notes payable, due June 2013 [Member] | Secured Debt [Member] | Central Refrigerated Service, Inc. [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Total	$0	$816

Debt_And_Financing_Transaction3

Debt And Financing Transactions (Narrative) (Detail) (USD $)

0 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

In Millions, unless otherwise specified

Aug. 06, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2012

Dec. 31, 2012

Aug. 06, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Mar. 07, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Mar. 07, 2013

Dec. 31, 2010

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Aug. 06, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Nov. 22, 2011

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2012

Mar. 07, 2013

Mar. 07, 2013

Mar. 07, 2013

Mar. 07, 2013

Mar. 07, 2013

Aug. 06, 2013

Central Refrigerated Service, Inc. [Member]

Central Refrigerated Service, Inc. [Member]

LIBOR [Member]

Revolving Credit Facility [Member]

Revolving Credit Facility [Member]

Letter of Credit [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

First Lien Term Loan B-1 [Member]

First Lien Term Loan B-1 [Member]

First Lien Term Loan B-2 [Member]

First Lien Term Loan B-2 [Member]

Senior Second Priority Secured Notes [Member]

2012 Agreement

2012 Agreement

2012 Agreement

2012 Agreement

2013 Agreement [Member]

2013 Agreement [Member]

2013 Agreement [Member]

2013 Agreement [Member]

2013 Agreement [Member]

2013 Agreement [Member]

2013 Agreement [Member]

Senior Secured Credit Facility [Member]

Senior Secured Credit Facility [Member]

Senior Secured Credit Facility [Member]

Senior Secured Credit Facility [Member]

Senior Secured Credit Facility [Member]

Senior Secured Credit Facility [Member]

Senior Secured Credit Facility [Member]

Notes payable, due March 2016 [Member]

CRS 2011 Agreement [Member]

CRS 2011 Agreement [Member]

CRS 2011 Agreement [Member]

CRS 2011 Agreement [Member]

CRS 2013 Agreement [Member]

CRS 2013 Agreement [Member]

CRS 2013 Agreement [Member]

CRS 2013 Agreement [Member]

CRS 2013 Agreement [Member]

Central Refrigerated Service, Inc. [Member]

Base Rate [Member]

LIBOR [Member]

Letter of Credit [Member]

LIBOR [Member]

Letter of Credit [Member]

First Lien Term Loan B-1 [Member]

First Lien Term Loan B-1 [Member]

First Lien Term Loan B-2 [Member]

First Lien Term Loan B-2 [Member]

First Lien Term Loan B-1 [Member]

First Lien Term Loan B-1 [Member]

First Lien Term Loan B-1 [Member]

First Lien Term Loan B-2 [Member]

First Lien Term Loan B-2 [Member]

First Lien Term Loan B-2 [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Workers' Compensation And Self-Insurance Liability [Member]

Secured Debt [Member]

Letter of Credit [Member]

Line of Credit [Member]

Line of Credit [Member]

Line of Credit [Member]

Revolving Credit Facility [Member]

Revolving Credit Facility [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Loans Payable [Member]

Base Rate [Member]

Base Rate [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Letter of Credit [Member]

Borrowings [Member]

Letter of Credit [Member]

Central Refrigerated Service, Inc. [Member]

Central Refrigerated Service, Inc. [Member]

Central Refrigerated Service, Inc. [Member]

Central Refrigerated Service, Inc. [Member]

LIBOR [Member]

Central Refrigerated Service, Inc. [Member]

LIBOR [Member]

Revolving Credit Facility [Member]

Revolving Credit Facility [Member]

Central Refrigerated Service, Inc. [Member]

LIBOR [Member]

LIBOR [Member]

LIBOR [Member]

LIBOR [Member]

LIBOR [Member]

LIBOR [Member]

LIBOR [Member]

LIBOR [Member]

Central Refrigerated Service, Inc. [Member]

Central Refrigerated Service, Inc. [Member]

LIBOR [Member]

LIBOR [Member]

Central Refrigerated Service, Inc. [Member]

Central Refrigerated Service, Inc. [Member]

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Deferred loan costs

'

$9.70

'

'

$13.20

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Face value first lien term loan

'

62

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

35

2.5

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Variable interest rate

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

4.50%

'

'

3.50%

3.00%

2.00%

3.25%

2.25%

'

'

'

'

'

0.00%

3.75%

1.25%

3.75%

'

'

0.00%

2.75%

'

1.00%

3.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2.25%

'

'

2.25%

3.50%

'

'

Loss on debt extinguishment

'

'

'

20.9

'

'

0.5

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

5

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Credit agreement, maximum borrowing capacity

'

350

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

400

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Revolving credit facility range

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2.56%

'

'

3.50%

'

'

'

'

Proceeds from Specified Incremental Tranche

'

'

10

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Letters of Credit Outstanding, Amount

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

118.8

'

6.6

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Available balance under revolving line of credit

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

219.2

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Proceeds from Lines of Credit

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

85

Repayments of Lines of Credit

'

23

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Outstanding letters of credit fees incurred

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0.50%

0.25%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0.75%

0.50%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Face value of second priority senior notes

'

'

874

874

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

152

'

508

500

'

'

'

'

'

250

'

'

410

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

50

'

'

'

16

'

Debt Instrument, Periodic Payment Terms, Balloon Payment To Be Paid, As A Percent Of Principal

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

30.00%

'

Debt Instrument, Term

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'2 years

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Rate at which interest accrues

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2.93%

'

4.00%

'

10.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0.44%

'

'

3.20%

3.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Proceeds from issuance of senior notes

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

490

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Original issue discount on debt

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

10

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Noncash or Part Noncash Acquisition, Debt Assumed

5

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Repayments of debt

'

'

'

'

'

$38

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$3.40

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Maximum borrowing capacity, as a percentage of billed accounts receivable

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

85.00%

'

'

'

'

'

Maximum borrowing capacity, as a percentage of unbilled accounts receivable

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

75.00%

'

'

'

'

'

Accounts_Receivable_Securitiza1

Accounts Receivable Securitization (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended	1 Months Ended	9 Months Ended	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended			0 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012	Aug. 06, 2013
			2013 RSA Borrowing [Member]	2013 RSA Borrowing [Member]	2011 RSA Borrrowing [Member]	2011 RSA Borrrowing [Member]	2011 RSA Borrrowing [Member]	2011 RSA Borrrowing [Member]	2011 RSA Borrrowing [Member]	Central Refrigerated Service, Inc. [Member]
Servicing Liabilities at Fair Value [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Receivables Sale Agreement Borrowing Capacity	'	'	'	$325	'	'	$275	'	'	'
RSA, terminates date	'	'	'	13-Jul-16	'	'	8-Jun-14	'	'	'
RSA, program fee	0.8	2.3	'	'	'	0.8	'	2.5	'	'
Proceeds from Accounts Receivable Securitization	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	100
RSA, outstanding borrowing	'	'	'	260	'	'	'	'	204	'
RSA, borrowing base	'	'	'	304.8	'	'	'	'	268.6	'
RSA, remaining borrowing	'	'	'	$44.80	'	'	'	'	'	'
Interest rate	'	'	0.95%	'	1.25%	'	'	'	'	'
Unused capacity fee	'	'	0.35%	'	0.40%	'	'	'	'	'

Capital_Leases_Detail

Capital Leases (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Leases [Abstract]	'	'
Present value of Obligations under capital leases	$193	$177.90
Capital leases obligations, current	53.9	54.6
Revenue equipment cost	354.5	'
Accumulated amortization	$135.60	'

Derivative_Financial_Instrumen2

Derivative Financial Instruments (Narrative) (Detail) (USD $)	9 Months Ended		0 Months Ended		9 Months Ended	0 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Aug. 06, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Aug. 06, 2013
			Central Refrigerated Service, Inc. [Member]	Central Refrigerated Service, Inc. [Member]	Interest Rate Swaps [Member]	Interest Rate Swaps [Member]
					Agreement	Central Refrigerated Service, Inc. [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Number of interest rate derivatives held	'	'	'	'	2	'
Notional amount of interest rate swap agreements	'	'	'	$4.10	$350	'
Interest rate swaps maturity date	1-Jul-15	'	'	'	1-Jul-15	'
Interest rate swaps agreement effective date	'	'	'	'	'2013-01-01	'
Fair value of the designated interest rate swap agreements	0.1	1.8	'	'	'	'
Deferred losses on derivatives in accumulated OCI expected to be reclassified to earnings within next 12 months	5.5	'	'	'	'	'
Fixed interest rate	'	'	'	8.90%	'	'
Repayments of debt	'	'	$38	'	'	$0.30

Derivative_Financial_Instrumen3

Derivative Financial Instruments (Classification Of Gains And Losses On Interest Rate Derivative Contracts Designated As Hedging Instruments) (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Amount of loss recognized in OCI on derivatives, net-of-tax (effective portion)	$0	$567	$145	$2,597
Amount of loss reclassified from accumulated OCI into income as "Derivative interest expense" (effective portion)	($1,106)	($448)	($2,065)	($5,101)

Derivative_Financial_Instrumen4

Derivative Financial Instruments (Pre-Tax Gains And Losses On Interest Rate Derivative Contracts De-Designated As Hedging Instruments) (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Amount of loss recognized into income as "Derivative interest expense"	($359)	$0	($494)	$0

Fair_Value_Measurement_Carryin

Fair Value Measurement (Carrying Amounts And Estimated Fair Values Of Financial Instruments) (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Carrying Value [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Financial Assets	$24,175,000	$22,275,000
Carrying Value [Member] | Senior Secured First Lien Term Loan B-1 Tranche [Member] | (2013 Agreement) [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Financial Liabilities	238,000,000	0
Carrying Value [Member] | Senior Secured First Lien Term Loan B-1 Tranche [Member] | (2012 Agreement) [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Financial Liabilities	0	157,095,000
Carrying Value [Member] | Senior Secured First Lien Term Loan B-2 Tranche [Member] | (2013 Agreement) [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Financial Liabilities	410,000,000	0
Carrying Value [Member] | Senior Secured First Lien Term Loan B-2 Tranche [Member] | (2012 Agreement) [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Financial Liabilities	0	575,560,000
Carrying Value [Member] | Senior Second Priority Secured Notes [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Financial Liabilities	493,509,000	492,561,000
Carrying Value [Member] | Securitization Of Accounts Receivable [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Financial Liabilities	260,000,000	204,000,000
Estimated Fair Value [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Financial Assets	24,172,000	22,271,000
Estimated Fair Value [Member] | Senior Secured First Lien Term Loan B-1 Tranche [Member] | (2013 Agreement) [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Financial Liabilities	238,595,000	0
Estimated Fair Value [Member] | Senior Secured First Lien Term Loan B-1 Tranche [Member] | (2012 Agreement) [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Financial Liabilities	0	157,346,000
Estimated Fair Value [Member] | Senior Secured First Lien Term Loan B-2 Tranche [Member] | (2013 Agreement) [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Financial Liabilities	411,845,000	0
Estimated Fair Value [Member] | Senior Secured First Lien Term Loan B-2 Tranche [Member] | (2012 Agreement) [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Financial Liabilities	0	582,236,000
Estimated Fair Value [Member] | Senior Second Priority Secured Notes [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Financial Liabilities	550,263,000	541,817,000
Estimated Fair Value [Member] | Securitization Of Accounts Receivable [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Financial Liabilities	260,000,000	204,000,000
Notes payable, due June 2013 [Member] | Carrying Value [Member] | Central Refrigerated Service, Inc. [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Financial Liabilities	0	816,000
Notes payable, due June 2013 [Member] | Estimated Fair Value [Member] | Central Refrigerated Service, Inc. [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Financial Liabilities	0	816,000
Notes payable, due March 2016 [Member] | Carrying Value [Member] | Central Refrigerated Service, Inc. [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Financial Liabilities	0	4,066,000
Notes payable, due March 2016 [Member] | Estimated Fair Value [Member] | Central Refrigerated Service, Inc. [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Financial Liabilities	0	4,066,000
Notes payable, due May 2015 [Member] | Carrying Value [Member] | Central Refrigerated Service, Inc. [Member] | Secured Debt [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Financial Liabilities	4,974,000	11,508,000
Notes payable, due May 2015 [Member] | Estimated Fair Value [Member] | Central Refrigerated Service, Inc. [Member] | Secured Debt [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Financial Liabilities	$4,974,000	$11,508,000

Fair_Value_Measurement_Liabili

Fair Value Measurement (Liabilities That Were Measured At Estimated Fair Value On Recurring Basis) (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Total Estimated Fair Value [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Interest rate swaps	$12,453	$13,350
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Interest rate swaps	0	0
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Interest rate swaps	12,453	13,350
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Interest rate swaps	$0	$0

Fair_Value_Measurement_Assets_

Fair Value Measurement (Assets That Were Measured At Estimated Fair Value On Nonrecurring Basis) (Detail) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Mar. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2012

Real Property [Member]

Other Assets [Member]

Note Receivable [Member]

Total Estimated Fair Value [Member]

Total Estimated Fair Value [Member]

Total Estimated Fair Value [Member]

Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]

Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member]

Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member]

Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member]

Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member]

Real Property [Member]

Other Assets [Member]

Note Receivable [Member]

Real Property [Member]

Note Receivable [Member]

Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Impairments of non-operating assets

$6,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Assets Fair Value

'

'

'

'

665,000

0

1,000,000

0

0

0

665,000

1,000,000

swft_nonrecurringfairvaluegainsandlosses

'

($1,065,000)

($2,322,000)

($5,979,000)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Fair_Value_Measurement_Narrati

Fair Value Measurement (Narrative) (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'	'	'
Property, plant and equipment, write-off	'	'	$2.30
Impairments of non-operating assets	6	'	'
Property, plant and equipment, carrying amount	'	1.7	'
Property, plant and equipment, write-off	'	1.1	'
Property, plant and equipment, fair value	'	$0.60	'

Earnings_Per_Share_Calculation

Earnings Per Share (Calculation Of Basic And Diluted Earnings Per Share Attributable To Stockholders) (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2012		Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2012
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'		'		'		'
Net income	$29,953		$33,656		$110,124		$85,403
Basic:	'		'		'		'
Weighted average common shares outstanding	140,327,000		139,535,000		140,004,000		139,526,000
Diluted:	'		'		'		'
Dilutive effect of stock options	1,988,000		11,000		1,938,000		105,000
Total weighted average diluted shares outstanding	142,315,000		139,546,000		141,942,000		139,631,000
Anti-dilutive shares excluded from the diluted earnings per share calculation	0	[1]	5,789,000	[1]	181,000	[1]	4,428,000	[1]
Earnings per share:	'		'		'		'
Basic earnings per share	$0.21		$0.24		$0.79		$0.61
Diluted earnings per share	$0.21		$0.24		$0.78		$0.61
Options outstanding	5,451,280		5,852,155		5,451,280		5,852,155
[1]	Impact of outstanding options to purchase shares of the Companybs ClassB A common stock were anti-dilutive because the options exercise price was greater than the average market price of the common shares and were excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share.

Contingencies_Detail

Contingencies (Detail) (USD $)

Sep. 30, 2013

Jan. 30, 2004

Sep. 30, 2013

Mar. 22, 2010

Sep. 30, 2013

Apr. 17, 2009

Sep. 30, 2013

Jul. 12, 2011

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 09, 2011

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2012

Dec. 22, 2009

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

In Thousands, unless otherwise specified

2004 Owner-Operator Class Action Litigation [Member]

2004 Owner-Operator Class Action Litigation [Member]

California Wage, Meal And Rest Employee Class Action [Member]

California Wage, Meal And Rest Employee Class Action [Member]

Environmental Notice [Member]

Environmental Notice [Member]

California And Oregon Minimum Wage Class Action [Member]

California And Oregon Minimum Wage Class Action [Member]

Washington Overtime Class Action [Member]

Washington Overtime Class Action [Member]

Virginia FCRA class action [Member]

Utah minimum wage collective action [Member]

swft_collective and individual arbitration [Member]

Owner-Operator Misclassification Class Action Litigation [Member]

Owner-Operator Misclassification Class Action Litigation [Member]

2013 Environmental Notice [Member] [Member]

2013 Environmental Notice [Member] [Member]

LawSuits

LawSuits

LawSuits

LawSuits

LawSuits

LawSuits

LawSuits

Loss Contingencies [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Loss Contingency, New Claims Filed, Number

'

1

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Lawsuit filing date

'

'

'January 30, 2004

'

'MarchB 22, 2010

'

'AprilB 17, 2009

'

'July 12, 2011

'

'SeptemberB 9, 2011

'July 23, 2013

'October 8, 2013

'June 1, 2012

'

'December 22, 2009

'

'May 14, 2013

Loss contingency, name of plaintiffs

'

'

'Leonel Garza

'

'John Burnell

'

'Lower Willamette Group

'

'Simona Montalvo

'

'Troy Slack

'James Ellis III

'Jacob Roberts

'Gabriel Cilluffo, Kevin Shire and Bryan Ratterree

'

'John Doe 1 and Joseph Sheer

'

'

Number of class action law suits filed

'

'

'

1

'

1

'

1

'

1

'

'

'

'

1

'

1

'

Potentially responsible parties

'

'

'

'

'

'

'250

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Loss Contingency, Range of Possible Loss, Minimum

$300

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Loss Contingency, Range of Possible Loss, Maximum

$500

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Segment_Information_Narrative_

Segment Information (Narrative) (Detail)	2 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
	Segment
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Number of reportable operating segments	4	'	'	'
Percentage of foreign operations total revenue	'	5.00%	5.00%	5.00%

Segment_Information_Summary_Of

Segment Information (Summary Of Financial Information By Segments) (Detail) (USD $)	2 Months Ended	3 Months Ended		7 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Aug. 06, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
	Segment			Segment
Segment Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Previous number of reportable segments	'	'	'	3	'	'
Number of reportable operating segment	4	'	'	'	'	'
Consolidated operating revenue	'	$1,032,127	$992,624	'	$3,042,806	$2,928,525
Consolidated operating income	'	84,420	77,190	'	254,404	235,812
Consolidated depreciation and amortization expense	'	58,254	53,994	'	170,004	164,354
Truckload [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Consolidated operating revenue	'	579,494	564,802	'	1,727,813	1,691,242
Consolidated operating income	'	58,053	53,818	'	165,070	168,366
Consolidated depreciation and amortization expense	'	32,696	29,184	'	96,076	90,667
Dedicated [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Consolidated operating revenue	'	184,550	182,843	'	546,427	536,255
Consolidated operating income	'	20,508	17,082	'	63,725	50,104
Consolidated depreciation and amortization expense	'	11,711	11,296	'	33,439	33,654
CRS Refrigerated [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Consolidated operating revenue	'	136,484	121,990	'	393,094	359,213
Consolidated operating income	'	4,165	6,833	'	19,881	20,876
Consolidated depreciation and amortization expense	'	4,060	4,706	'	12,951	14,283
Intermodal [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Consolidated operating revenue	'	89,759	86,063	'	251,459	236,228
Consolidated operating income	'	1,979	-2,505	'	934	-6,409
Consolidated depreciation and amortization expense	'	2,236	2,418	'	6,858	6,612
Subtotal [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Consolidated operating revenue	'	990,287	955,698	'	2,918,793	2,822,938
Consolidated operating income	'	84,705	75,228	'	249,610	232,937
Consolidated depreciation and amortization expense	'	50,703	47,604	'	149,324	145,216
Nonreportable Segments [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Consolidated operating revenue	'	49,038	50,828	'	159,461	152,321
Consolidated operating income	'	-285	1,962	'	4,794	2,875
Consolidated depreciation and amortization expense	'	7,551	6,390	'	20,680	19,138
Intersegment Eliminations [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Consolidated operating revenue	'	($7,198)	($13,902)	'	($35,448)	($46,734)

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv2

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Components of AOCI) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Balance at beginning of period	'	'	($8,202)	'
Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications	'	'	14	'
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss	'	'	1,362	'
Other comprehensive income, net of taxes	780	113	1,376	3,554
Balance at end of period	-6,826	'	-6,826	'
Derivative Financial Instruments [Member]	'	'	'	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Balance at beginning of period	'	'	-8,285	'
Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications	'	'	14	'
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss	'	'	1,362	'
Other comprehensive income, net of taxes	'	'	1,376	'
Balance at end of period	-6,909	'	-6,909	'
Foreign Currency Transactions [Member]	'	'	'	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Balance at beginning of period	'	'	83	'
Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications	'	'	0	'
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss	'	'	0	'
Other comprehensive income, net of taxes	'	'	0	'
Balance at end of period	$83	'	$83	'

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv3

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Summary of Reclassifications out of AOCI) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Derivative interest expense	$1,465	$448	$2,559	$5,101
Income tax expense (benefit)	26,156	15,086	67,806	33,573
Net income (loss)	29,953	33,656	110,124	85,403
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]	'	'	'	'
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Net income (loss)	-675	-623	-1,260	-7,091
Derivative Financial Instruments [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]	'	'	'	'
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Derivative interest expense	1,106	448	2,065	5,101
Income tax expense (benefit)	($431)	$175	($805)	$1,990

Guarantor_Condensed_Consolidat2

Guarantor Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements (Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet) (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$51,429	$53,596	$43,321	$82,084
Restricted cash	50,376	51,678	'	'
Restricted investments, held to maturity, amortized cost	24,175	22,275	'	'
Accounts receivable, net	413,077	392,770	'	'
Intercompany receivable (payable)	0	0	'	'
Other current assets	189,044	221,772	'	'
Total current assets	728,101	742,091	'	'
Property and equipment, net	1,505,087	1,397,536	'	'
Investment in subsidiaries	0	0	'	'
Other assets	57,031	65,537	'	'
Intangible assets, net	320,950	333,561	'	'
Goodwill	253,256	253,256	'	'
Total assets	2,864,425	2,791,981	'	'
Current portion of long-term debt and obligations under capital leases	62,273	73,497	'	'
Other current liabilities	370,590	309,952	'	'
Total current liabilities	432,863	383,449	'	'
Long-term debt and obligations under capital leases, less current portion	1,286,307	1,357,101	'	'
Deferred income taxes	472,264	441,381	'	'
Securitization of accounts receivable	260,000	204,000	'	'
Revolving line of credit	62,000	2,531	'	'
Other liabilities	116,157	113,315	'	'
Total liabilities	2,629,591	2,501,777	'	'
Total stockholdersb equity	234,834	290,204	'	'
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	2,864,425	2,791,981	'	'
Swift Transportation Company [Member]	'	'	'	'
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	0	0	0	11,132
Restricted cash	0	0	'	'
Restricted investments, held to maturity, amortized cost	'	0	'	'
Accounts receivable, net	12	0	'	'
Intercompany receivable (payable)	59,316	24,239	'	'
Other current assets	54,720	57,914	'	'
Total current assets	114,048	82,153	'	'
Property and equipment, net	0	0	'	'
Investment in subsidiaries	184,739	106,194	'	'
Other assets	0	250	'	'
Intangible assets, net	0	0	'	'
Goodwill	0	0	'	'
Total assets	298,787	188,597	'	'
Current portion of long-term debt and obligations under capital leases	0	0	'	'
Other current liabilities	1,857	1,656	'	'
Total current liabilities	1,857	1,656	'	'
Long-term debt and obligations under capital leases, less current portion	0	0	'	'
Deferred income taxes	-17,915	-19,372	'	'
Securitization of accounts receivable	0	0	'	'
Revolving line of credit	0	0	'	'
Other liabilities	0	0	'	'
Total liabilities	-16,058	-17,716	'	'
Total stockholdersb equity	314,845	206,313	'	'
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	298,787	188,597	'	'
Swift Services Holdings, Inc. (Issuer) [Member]	'	'	'	'
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	0	0	0	0
Restricted cash	0	0	'	'
Restricted investments, held to maturity, amortized cost	'	0	'	'
Accounts receivable, net	0	0	'	'
Intercompany receivable (payable)	421,949	430,030	'	'
Other current assets	-2,383	181	'	'
Total current assets	419,566	430,211	'	'
Property and equipment, net	0	0	'	'
Investment in subsidiaries	834,121	757,590	'	'
Other assets	2,008	2,301	'	'
Intangible assets, net	0	0	'	'
Goodwill	0	0	'	'
Total assets	1,255,695	1,190,102	'	'
Current portion of long-term debt and obligations under capital leases	0	0	'	'
Other current liabilities	18,889	6,389	'	'
Total current liabilities	18,889	6,389	'	'
Long-term debt and obligations under capital leases, less current portion	493,509	492,561	'	'
Deferred income taxes	-419	-346	'	'
Securitization of accounts receivable	0	0	'	'
Revolving line of credit	0	0	'	'
Other liabilities	0	0	'	'
Total liabilities	511,979	498,604	'	'
Total stockholdersb equity	743,716	691,498	'	'
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	1,255,695	1,190,102	'	'
Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]	'	'	'	'
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	45,175	43,877	32,235	64,717
Restricted cash	0	0	'	'
Restricted investments, held to maturity, amortized cost	'	0	'	'
Accounts receivable, net	80,214	72,319	'	'
Intercompany receivable (payable)	-558,892	-507,934	'	'
Other current assets	121,617	150,090	'	'
Total current assets	-311,886	-241,648	'	'
Property and equipment, net	1,466,216	1,360,358	'	'
Investment in subsidiaries	958,140	904,412	'	'
Other assets	50,236	87,631	'	'
Intangible assets, net	311,102	323,134	'	'
Goodwill	246,977	246,977	'	'
Total assets	2,720,785	2,680,864	'	'
Current portion of long-term debt and obligations under capital leases	59,038	71,705	'	'
Other current liabilities	321,947	277,738	'	'
Total current liabilities	380,985	349,443	'	'
Long-term debt and obligations under capital leases, less current portion	788,732	861,534	'	'
Deferred income taxes	484,634	456,098	'	'
Securitization of accounts receivable	0	0	'	'
Revolving line of credit	62,000	2,531	'	'
Other liabilities	65,736	63,739	'	'
Total liabilities	1,782,087	1,733,345	'	'
Total stockholdersb equity	938,698	947,519	'	'
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	2,720,785	2,680,864	'	'
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]	'	'	'	'
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	6,254	9,719	11,086	6,235
Restricted cash	50,376	51,678	'	'
Restricted investments, held to maturity, amortized cost	24,175	22,275	'	'
Accounts receivable, net	336,047	324,597	'	'
Intercompany receivable (payable)	77,627	53,665	'	'
Other current assets	15,090	13,587	'	'
Total current assets	509,569	475,521	'	'
Property and equipment, net	38,871	37,178	'	'
Investment in subsidiaries	'	0	'	'
Other assets	4,839	4,974	'	'
Intangible assets, net	9,848	10,427	'	'
Goodwill	6,279	6,279	'	'
Total assets	569,406	534,379	'	'
Current portion of long-term debt and obligations under capital leases	3,261	28,301	'	'
Other current liabilities	31,093	28,315	'	'
Total current liabilities	34,354	56,616	'	'
Long-term debt and obligations under capital leases, less current portion	4,092	6,116	'	'
Deferred income taxes	5,964	5,001	'	'
Securitization of accounts receivable	260,000	204,000	'	'
Revolving line of credit	0	0	'	'
Other liabilities	50,421	49,576	'	'
Total liabilities	354,831	321,309	'	'
Total stockholdersb equity	214,575	213,070	'	'
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	569,406	534,379	'	'
Eliminations For Consolidation [Member]	'	'	'	'
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	0	0	0	0
Restricted cash	0	0	'	'
Restricted investments, held to maturity, amortized cost	'	0	'	'
Accounts receivable, net	-3,196	-4,146	'	'
Intercompany receivable (payable)	0	0	'	'
Other current assets	0	0	'	'
Total current assets	-3,196	-4,146	'	'
Property and equipment, net	0	0	'	'
Investment in subsidiaries	-1,977,000	-1,768,196	'	'
Other assets	-52	-29,619	'	'
Intangible assets, net	0	0	'	'
Goodwill	0	0	'	'
Total assets	-1,980,248	-1,801,961	'	'
Current portion of long-term debt and obligations under capital leases	-26	-26,509	'	'
Other current liabilities	-3,196	-4,146	'	'
Total current liabilities	-3,222	-30,655	'	'
Long-term debt and obligations under capital leases, less current portion	-26	-3,110	'	'
Deferred income taxes	0	0	'	'
Securitization of accounts receivable	0	0	'	'
Revolving line of credit	0	0	'	'
Other liabilities	0	0	'	'
Total liabilities	-3,248	-33,765	'	'
Total stockholdersb equity	-1,977,000	-1,768,196	'	'
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	($1,980,248)	($1,801,961)	'	'

Guarantor_Condensed_Consolidat3

Guarantor Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements (Condensed Consolidating Statement Of Operations) (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Operating revenue	$1,032,127	$992,624	$3,042,806	$2,928,525
Operating expenses:	'	'	'	'
Salaries, wages and employee benefits	220,156	218,607	670,493	655,300
Operating supplies and expenses	85,204	75,337	236,267	215,777
Fuel	160,561	168,956	489,563	500,589
Purchased transportation	318,321	306,028	918,594	881,414
Rental expense	46,262	39,168	129,881	108,772
Insurance and claims	35,110	29,475	100,245	92,992
Depreciation and amortization of property and equipment	58,254	53,994	170,004	164,354
Amortization of intangibles	4,204	4,203	12,611	12,721
Impairments	0	0	0	1,065
Gain on sale of real property	-5,619	-4,343	-13,610	-13,887
Communication and utilities	6,679	6,699	19,145	19,998
Operating taxes and licenses	18,575	17,310	55,209	53,618
Total operating expenses	947,707	915,434	2,788,402	2,692,713
Operating income (loss), net	84,420	77,190	254,404	235,812
Interest expense, net	25,456	28,871	76,537	97,083
Other (income) expenses, net	2,855	-423	-63	19,753
Income before income taxes	56,109	48,742	177,930	118,976
Income tax expense (benefit)	26,156	15,086	67,806	33,573
Net income (loss)	29,953	33,656	110,124	85,403
Swift Transportation Company [Member]	'	'	'	'
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Operating revenue	0	0	0	0
Operating expenses:	'	'	'	'
Salaries, wages and employee benefits	1,081	1,401	2,459	4,131
Operating supplies and expenses	552	836	1,682	2,068
Fuel	0	0	0	0
Purchased transportation	0	0	0	0
Rental expense	0	0	0	0
Insurance and claims	0	0	0	0
Depreciation and amortization of property and equipment	0	0	0	0
Amortization of intangibles	0	0	0	0
Impairments	'	'	'	0
Gain on sale of real property	0	0	0	0
Communication and utilities	0	0	0	0
Operating taxes and licenses	0	0	0	0
Total operating expenses	1,633	2,237	4,141	6,199
Operating income (loss), net	-1,633	-2,237	-4,141	-6,199
Interest expense, net	'	0	0	0
Other (income) expenses, net	-34,203	-27,627	-78,546	-68,912
Income before income taxes	32,570	25,390	74,405	62,713
Income tax expense (benefit)	2,819	-2,462	-21,629	-5,026
Net income (loss)	29,751	27,852	96,034	67,739
Swift Services Holdings, Inc. (Issuer) [Member]	'	'	'	'
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Operating revenue	0	0	0	0
Operating expenses:	'	'	'	'
Salaries, wages and employee benefits	0	0	0	0
Operating supplies and expenses	2	2	6	10
Fuel	0	0	0	0
Purchased transportation	0	0	0	0
Rental expense	0	0	0	0
Insurance and claims	0	0	0	0
Depreciation and amortization of property and equipment	0	0	0	0
Amortization of intangibles	0	0	0	0
Impairments	'	'	'	0
Gain on sale of real property	0	0	0	0
Communication and utilities	0	0	0	0
Operating taxes and licenses	0	0	0	0
Total operating expenses	2	2	6	10
Operating income (loss), net	-2	-2	-6	-10
Interest expense, net	12,913	12,913	38,740	38,740
Other (income) expenses, net	-31,083	380	-76,531	-55,557
Income before income taxes	18,168	-13,295	37,785	16,807
Income tax expense (benefit)	-4,853	-4,818	-14,435	-14,459
Net income (loss)	23,021	-8,477	52,220	31,266
Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]	'	'	'	'
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Operating revenue	1,015,440	979,004	2,989,063	2,881,754
Operating expenses:	'	'	'	'
Salaries, wages and employee benefits	211,717	210,855	645,784	631,337
Operating supplies and expenses	84,036	73,067	229,568	209,196
Fuel	154,478	164,049	470,395	485,059
Purchased transportation	328,677	316,612	948,073	909,985
Rental expense	45,639	39,040	127,789	108,388
Insurance and claims	28,956	24,972	85,249	78,693
Depreciation and amortization of property and equipment	57,032	53,063	166,582	161,620
Amortization of intangibles	4,011	4,010	12,032	12,137
Impairments	'	'	'	1,065
Gain on sale of real property	-5,622	-4,353	-13,634	-13,897
Communication and utilities	6,444	6,460	18,486	19,283
Operating taxes and licenses	16,034	15,320	47,203	47,139
Total operating expenses	931,402	903,095	2,737,527	2,650,005
Operating income (loss), net	84,038	75,909	251,536	231,749
Interest expense, net	11,780	15,235	34,534	55,089
Other (income) expenses, net	-20,238	6,916	-51,509	-13,340
Income before income taxes	92,496	53,758	268,511	190,000
Income tax expense (benefit)	27,007	20,707	99,343	47,867
Net income (loss)	65,489	33,051	169,168	142,133
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]	'	'	'	'
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Operating revenue	38,205	33,441	117,644	101,352
Operating expenses:	'	'	'	'
Salaries, wages and employee benefits	7,358	6,351	22,250	19,832
Operating supplies and expenses	2,931	3,270	10,960	9,850
Fuel	6,083	4,907	19,168	15,530
Purchased transportation	2,274	2,876	8,892	7,251
Rental expense	781	289	2,578	898
Insurance and claims	12,567	8,865	34,091	27,197
Depreciation and amortization of property and equipment	1,222	931	3,422	2,734
Amortization of intangibles	193	193	579	584
Impairments	'	'	'	0
Gain on sale of real property	3	10	24	10
Communication and utilities	235	239	659	715
Operating taxes and licenses	2,541	1,990	8,006	6,479
Total operating expenses	36,188	29,921	110,629	91,080
Operating income (loss), net	2,017	3,520	7,015	10,272
Interest expense, net	763	723	3,263	3,254
Other (income) expenses, net	-2,574	-2,203	-7,920	-7,251
Income before income taxes	3,828	5,000	11,672	14,269
Income tax expense (benefit)	1,183	1,659	4,527	5,191
Net income (loss)	2,645	3,341	7,145	9,078
Eliminations For Consolidation [Member]	'	'	'	'
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Operating revenue	-21,518	-19,821	-63,901	-54,581
Operating expenses:	'	'	'	'
Salaries, wages and employee benefits	0	0	0	0
Operating supplies and expenses	-2,317	-1,838	-5,949	-5,347
Fuel	0	0	0	0
Purchased transportation	-12,630	-13,460	-38,371	-35,822
Rental expense	-158	-161	-486	-514
Insurance and claims	-6,413	-4,362	-19,095	-12,898
Depreciation and amortization of property and equipment	0	0	0	0
Amortization of intangibles	0	0	0	0
Impairments	'	'	'	0
Gain on sale of real property	0	0	0	0
Communication and utilities	0	0	0	0
Operating taxes and licenses	0	0	0	0
Total operating expenses	-21,518	-19,821	-63,901	-54,581
Operating income (loss), net	0	0	0	0
Interest expense, net	'	0	0	0
Other (income) expenses, net	90,953	22,111	214,443	164,813
Income before income taxes	-90,953	-22,111	-214,443	-164,813
Income tax expense (benefit)	0	0	'	0
Net income (loss)	($90,953)	($22,111)	($214,443)	($164,813)

Guarantor_Condensed_Consolidat4

Guarantor Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements (Condensed Consolidating Statement Of Comprehensive Income) (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Net income (loss)	$29,953	$33,656	$110,124	$85,403
Other comprehensive income before income taxes:	'	'	'	'
Accumulated losses on derivatives reclassified to derivative interest expense	1,106	448	2,065	5,101
Change in fair value of interest rate swaps	0	-567	-145	-2,597
Other comprehensive income (loss) before income taxes	1,106	-119	1,920	2,504
Income tax effect of items of other comprehensive income	-326	232	-544	1,050
Total comprehensive income	30,733	33,769	111,500	88,957
Swift Transportation Company [Member]	'	'	'	'
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Net income (loss)	29,751	27,852	96,034	67,739
Other comprehensive income before income taxes:	'	'	'	'
Accumulated losses on derivatives reclassified to derivative interest expense	0	0	0	0
Change in fair value of interest rate swaps	0	0	0	0
Other comprehensive income (loss) before income taxes	0	0	0	0
Income tax effect of items of other comprehensive income	0	0	0	0
Total comprehensive income	29,751	27,852	96,034	67,739
Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]	'	'	'	'
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Net income (loss)	65,489	33,051	169,168	142,133
Other comprehensive income before income taxes:	'	'	'	'
Accumulated losses on derivatives reclassified to derivative interest expense	1,106	448	2,065	5,101
Change in fair value of interest rate swaps	0	-567	-145	-2,597
Other comprehensive income (loss) before income taxes	1,106	-119	1,920	2,504
Income tax effect of items of other comprehensive income	-326	232	-544	1,050
Total comprehensive income	66,269	33,164	170,544	145,687
Swift Services Holdings, Inc. (Issuer) [Member]	'	'	'	'
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Net income (loss)	23,021	-8,477	52,220	31,266
Other comprehensive income before income taxes:	'	'	'	'
Accumulated losses on derivatives reclassified to derivative interest expense	0	0	0	0
Change in fair value of interest rate swaps	0	0	0	0
Other comprehensive income (loss) before income taxes	0	0	0	0
Income tax effect of items of other comprehensive income	0	0	0	0
Total comprehensive income	23,021	-8,477	52,220	31,266
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]	'	'	'	'
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Net income (loss)	2,645	3,341	7,145	9,078
Other comprehensive income before income taxes:	'	'	'	'
Accumulated losses on derivatives reclassified to derivative interest expense	0	0	0	0
Change in fair value of interest rate swaps	0	0	0	0
Other comprehensive income (loss) before income taxes	0	0	0	0
Income tax effect of items of other comprehensive income	0	0	0	0
Total comprehensive income	2,645	3,341	7,145	9,078
Eliminations For Consolidation [Member]	'	'	'	'
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Net income (loss)	-90,953	-22,111	-214,443	-164,813
Other comprehensive income before income taxes:	'	'	'	'
Accumulated losses on derivatives reclassified to derivative interest expense	0	0	0	0
Change in fair value of interest rate swaps	0	0	0	0
Other comprehensive income (loss) before income taxes	0	0	0	0
Income tax effect of items of other comprehensive income	0	0	0	0
Total comprehensive income	($90,953)	($22,111)	($214,443)	($164,813)

Guarantor_Condensed_Consolidat5

Guarantor Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements (Condensed Consolidating Statement Of Cash Flows) (Detail) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	$355,863	$284,582
Cash flows from investing activities:	'	'
Decrease in restricted cash	1,302	16,892
Change in restricted investments	-1,900	-18,216
Funding of note receivable	0	-7,500
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment	75,812	106,333
Capital expenditures	-236,990	-221,034
Payments received on notes receivable	2,775	4,357
Expenditures on assets held for sale	-17,442	-5,935
Payments received on assets held for sale	47,365	11,337
Payments received on equipment sale receivables	1,266	5,580
Dividend From Subsidiary	0	0
Payments received on intercompany notes payable	0	0
Funding of intercompany notes payable	'	0
Capital contribution to subsidiary	0	'
Payments to Acquire Businesses, Net of Cash Acquired	-147,822	0
Other investing activities	0	-500
Net cash used in investing activities	-275,634	-108,686
Cash flows from financing activities:	'	'
Proceeds from Issuance of Long-term Debt	26,268	10,000
Repayment of accounts receivable securitization	-2,183	-9,023
Proceeds from long-term debt	180,000	211,000
Payment of deferred loan costs	-124,000	-187,000
Repayment of long-term debt and capital leases	-199,490	-233,353
Repayment of intercompany notes payable	0	0
Proceeds from intercompany notes payable	'	0
Dividend to parent	0	0
Capital contribution to subsidiary	0	'
Net funding (to) from affiliates	0	0
Distribution to Central stockholders, pre-acquisition	-2,499	-10,111
stockholder loan receivable, Central	-30,000	0
Net borrowings on revolving line of credit	59,469	4,834
Proceeds from Stock Options Exercised	10,422	268
Excess Tax Benefit from Share-based Compensation, Financing Activities	-383	-322
Other financing activities	0	-952
Net cash used in financing activities	-82,396	-214,659
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	-2,167	-38,763
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	53,596	82,084
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	51,429	43,321
Swift Transportation Company [Member]	'	'
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	25,038	16,304
Cash flows from investing activities:	'	'
Decrease in restricted cash	0	0
Change in restricted investments	0	0
Funding of note receivable	'	0
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment	0	0
Capital expenditures	0	0
Payments received on notes receivable	'	0
Expenditures on assets held for sale	0	0
Payments received on assets held for sale	0	0
Payments received on equipment sale receivables	0	0
Dividend From Subsidiary	0	0
Payments received on intercompany notes payable	0	0
Funding of intercompany notes payable	'	0
Capital contribution to subsidiary	'	'
Payments to Acquire Businesses, Net of Cash Acquired	0	'
Other investing activities	'	0
Net cash used in investing activities	0	0
Cash flows from financing activities:	'	'
Proceeds from Issuance of Long-term Debt	0	0
Repayment of accounts receivable securitization	0	0
Proceeds from long-term debt	0	0
Payment of deferred loan costs	0	0
Repayment of long-term debt and capital leases	0	0
Repayment of intercompany notes payable	0	0
Proceeds from intercompany notes payable	'	0
Dividend to parent	0	0
Capital contribution to subsidiary	0	'
Net funding (to) from affiliates	-35,077	-27,382
Distribution to Central stockholders, pre-acquisition	0	0
stockholder loan receivable, Central	0	'
Net borrowings on revolving line of credit	0	0
Proceeds from Stock Options Exercised	10,422	268
Excess Tax Benefit from Share-based Compensation, Financing Activities	-383	-322
Other financing activities	'	0
Net cash used in financing activities	-25,038	-27,436
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	0	-11,132
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	0	11,132
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	0	0
Swift Services Holdings, Inc. (Issuer) [Member]	'	'
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	-8,081	-518
Cash flows from investing activities:	'	'
Decrease in restricted cash	0	0
Change in restricted investments	0	0
Funding of note receivable	'	0
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment	0	0
Capital expenditures	0	0
Payments received on notes receivable	0	0
Expenditures on assets held for sale	0	0
Payments received on assets held for sale	0	0
Payments received on equipment sale receivables	0	0
Dividend From Subsidiary	0	0
Payments received on intercompany notes payable	0	0
Funding of intercompany notes payable	'	0
Capital contribution to subsidiary	'	'
Payments to Acquire Businesses, Net of Cash Acquired	0	'
Other investing activities	'	0
Net cash used in investing activities	0	0
Cash flows from financing activities:	'	'
Proceeds from Issuance of Long-term Debt	0	0
Repayment of accounts receivable securitization	0	0
Proceeds from long-term debt	0	0
Payment of deferred loan costs	0	0
Repayment of long-term debt and capital leases	0	0
Repayment of intercompany notes payable	0	0
Proceeds from intercompany notes payable	'	0
Dividend to parent	0	0
Capital contribution to subsidiary	0	'
Net funding (to) from affiliates	8,081	518
Distribution to Central stockholders, pre-acquisition	0	0
stockholder loan receivable, Central	0	'
Net borrowings on revolving line of credit	0	0
Proceeds from Stock Options Exercised	0	0
Excess Tax Benefit from Share-based Compensation, Financing Activities	0	0
Other financing activities	'	0
Net cash used in financing activities	8,081	518
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	0	0
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	0	0
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	0	0
Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]	'	'
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	359,079	291,631
Cash flows from investing activities:	'	'
Decrease in restricted cash	0	0
Change in restricted investments	0	0
Funding of note receivable	'	-7,500
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment	75,663	105,569
Capital expenditures	-231,701	-218,081
Payments received on notes receivable	2,775	4,357
Expenditures on assets held for sale	-17,442	-5,935
Payments received on assets held for sale	47,365	11,337
Payments received on equipment sale receivables	1,266	5,580
Dividend From Subsidiary	6,800	6,700
Payments received on intercompany notes payable	3,399	639
Funding of intercompany notes payable	'	-884
Capital contribution to subsidiary	-1,160	'
Payments to Acquire Businesses, Net of Cash Acquired	-147,822	'
Other investing activities	'	-500
Net cash used in investing activities	-260,857	-98,718
Cash flows from financing activities:	'	'
Proceeds from Issuance of Long-term Debt	16,000	10,000
Repayment of accounts receivable securitization	-1,332	-9,023
Proceeds from long-term debt	0	0
Payment of deferred loan costs	0	0
Repayment of long-term debt and capital leases	-192,041	-232,953
Repayment of intercompany notes payable	0	0
Proceeds from intercompany notes payable	'	0
Dividend to parent	0	0
Capital contribution to subsidiary	0	'
Net funding (to) from affiliates	53,479	12,810
Distribution to Central stockholders, pre-acquisition	-2,499	-10,111
stockholder loan receivable, Central	-30,000	'
Net borrowings on revolving line of credit	59,469	4,834
Proceeds from Stock Options Exercised	0	0
Excess Tax Benefit from Share-based Compensation, Financing Activities	0	0
Other financing activities	'	-952
Net cash used in financing activities	-96,924	-225,395
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	1,298	-32,482
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	43,877	64,717
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	45,175	32,235
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]	'	'
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	-20,173	-22,835
Cash flows from investing activities:	'	'
Decrease in restricted cash	1,302	16,892
Change in restricted investments	-1,900	-18,216
Funding of note receivable	'	0
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment	149	764
Capital expenditures	-5,289	-2,953
Payments received on notes receivable	0	0
Expenditures on assets held for sale	0	0
Payments received on assets held for sale	0	0
Payments received on equipment sale receivables	0	0
Dividend From Subsidiary	0	0
Payments received on intercompany notes payable	0	0
Funding of intercompany notes payable	'	0
Capital contribution to subsidiary	0	'
Payments to Acquire Businesses, Net of Cash Acquired	0	'
Other investing activities	'	0
Net cash used in investing activities	-5,738	-3,513
Cash flows from financing activities:	'	'
Proceeds from Issuance of Long-term Debt	10,268	0
Repayment of accounts receivable securitization	-851	0
Proceeds from long-term debt	180,000	211,000
Payment of deferred loan costs	-124,000	-187,000
Repayment of long-term debt and capital leases	-7,449	-400
Repayment of intercompany notes payable	-3,399	-639
Proceeds from intercompany notes payable	'	884
Dividend to parent	-6,800	-6,700
Capital contribution to subsidiary	1,160	'
Net funding (to) from affiliates	-26,483	14,054
Distribution to Central stockholders, pre-acquisition	0	0
stockholder loan receivable, Central	0	'
Net borrowings on revolving line of credit	0	0
Proceeds from Stock Options Exercised	0	0
Excess Tax Benefit from Share-based Compensation, Financing Activities	0	0
Other financing activities	'	0
Net cash used in financing activities	22,446	31,199
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	-3,465	4,851
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	9,719	6,235
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	6,254	11,086
Eliminations For Consolidation [Member]	'	'
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	0	0
Cash flows from investing activities:	'	'
Decrease in restricted cash	0	0
Change in restricted investments	0	0
Funding of note receivable	'	0
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment	0	0
Capital expenditures	0	0
Payments received on notes receivable	0	0
Expenditures on assets held for sale	0	0
Payments received on assets held for sale	0	0
Payments received on equipment sale receivables	0	0
Dividend From Subsidiary	-6,800	-6,700
Payments received on intercompany notes payable	-3,399	-639
Funding of intercompany notes payable	'	884
Capital contribution to subsidiary	1,160	'
Payments to Acquire Businesses, Net of Cash Acquired	0	'
Other investing activities	'	0
Net cash used in investing activities	-9,039	-6,455
Cash flows from financing activities:	'	'
Proceeds from Issuance of Long-term Debt	0	0
Repayment of accounts receivable securitization	0	0
Proceeds from long-term debt	0	0
Payment of deferred loan costs	0	0
Repayment of long-term debt and capital leases	0	0
Repayment of intercompany notes payable	3,399	639
Proceeds from intercompany notes payable	'	-884
Dividend to parent	6,800	6,700
Capital contribution to subsidiary	-1,160	'
Net funding (to) from affiliates	0	0
Distribution to Central stockholders, pre-acquisition	0	0
stockholder loan receivable, Central	0	'
Net borrowings on revolving line of credit	0	0
Proceeds from Stock Options Exercised	0	0
Excess Tax Benefit from Share-based Compensation, Financing Activities	0	0
Other financing activities	'	0
Net cash used in financing activities	9,039	6,455
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	0	0
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	0	0
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$0	$0