| Significant Accounting Policies (Policies) | 12 Months Ended |
| Dec. 31, 2021 |
| Accounting Policies [Abstract] | |
| Consolidation, Policy [Policy Text Block] | Basis of Consolidation Our Consolidated Financial Statements include all of our wholly owned subsidiaries. Intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. J.B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc. is a parent-level holding company with no |
| Use of Estimates, Policy [Policy Text Block] | Use of Estimates The Consolidated Financial Statements contained in this report have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The preparation of these statements requires us to make estimates and assumptions that directly affect the amounts reported in such statements and accompanying notes. We evaluate these estimates on an ongoing basis utilizing historical experience, consulting with experts and using other methods we consider reasonable in the particular circumstances. Nevertheless, our actual results may We believe certain accounting policies and estimates are of more significance in our financial statement preparation process than others. We believe the most critical accounting policies and estimates include the economic useful lives and salvage values of our assets, provisions for uncollectible accounts receivable, estimates of exposures under our insurance and claims policies, and estimates for taxes. To the extent that actual, final outcomes are different from our estimates, or that additional facts and circumstances cause us to revise our estimates, our earnings during that accounting period will be affected. The novel coronavirus (COVID- 19 may may 19 may may |
| Cash and Cash Equivalents, Policy [Policy Text Block] | Cash and Cash Equivalents Cash in excess of current operating requirements is invested in short-term, highly liquid investments. We consider all highly liquid investments purchased with original maturities of three |
| Receivable [Policy Text Block] | Accounts Receivable and Allowance Our trade accounts receivable includes accounts receivable reduced by an allowance for uncollectible accounts. Receivables are recorded at amounts billed to customers when loads are delivered or services are performed. The allowance for uncollectible accounts is calculated over the life of the underlying receivable and is based on historical experience; any known trends or uncertainties related to customer billing and account collectability; current economic conditions; and reasonable and supportable economic forecasts, each applied to segregated risk pools based on the business segment that generated the receivable. The adequacy of our allowance is reviewed quarterly. Balances are charged against the allowance when it is determined the receivable will not December 31, 2021 December 31, 2020. 2021, 2020, |
| Inventory, Policy [Policy Text Block] | Inventory Our inventories consist primarily of revenue equipment parts, tires, supplies, and fuel and are valued using the lower of average cost or net realizable value. |
| Investment, Policy [Policy Text Block] | Investments in Marketable Equity Securities Our investments consist of marketable equity securities stated at fair value and are designated as either trading securities or available-for-sale securities at the time of purchase based upon the intended holding period. Changes in the fair value of our trading securities are recognized currently in “general and administrative expenses, net of asset dispositions” in our Consolidated Statements of Earnings. Changes in the fair value of our available-for-sale securities are recognized in “accumulated other comprehensive income” on our Consolidated Balance Sheets, unless we determine that an unrealized loss is other-than-temporary. If we determine that an unrealized loss is other-than-temporary, we recognize the loss in earnings. Cost basis is determined using average cost. At December 31, 2021 2020, 8, |
| Property, Plant and Equipment, Policy [Policy Text Block] | Property and Equipment Depreciation of property and equipment is calculated on the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of 4 to 10 years for tractors, 7 to 20 years for trailing equipment, 10 to 40 years for structures and improvements, 3 to 7 years for computer hardware and software, and 3 to 10 years for furniture and other office equipment. Salvage values are typically 10% to 30% of original cost for tractors and trailing equipment and reflect any agreements with tractor suppliers for residual or trade-in values for certain new equipment. We periodically review these useful lives and salvage values. We capitalize tires placed in service on new revenue equipment as a part of the equipment cost. Replacement tires and costs for recapping tires are expensed at the time the tires are placed in service. Gains and losses on the sale or other disposition of equipment are recognized at the time of the disposition and are classified in general and administrative expenses, net of asset dispositions in the Consolidated Statements of Earnings. We continually evaluate the carrying value of our assets for events or changes in circumstances that indicate the carrying value may not |
| Lessee, Leases [Policy Text Block] | Leases We recognize a right-of-use asset and a lease liability on the effective date of a lease agreement. Right-of-use assets represent our right to use an underlying asset over the lease term and lease liabilities represent the obligation to make lease payments resulting from the lease agreement. We initially record these assets and liabilities based on the present value of lease payments over the lease term calculated using our incremental borrowing rate applicable to the leased asset or the implicit rate within the agreement if it is readily determinable. Lease agreements with lease and non-lease components are combined as a single lease component. Right-of-use assets additionally include net prepaid lease expenses. Options to extend or terminate an agreement are included in the lease term when it becomes reasonably certain the option will be exercised. Leases with an initial term of 12 not |
| Revenue from Contract with Customer [Policy Text Block] | Revenue Recognition We record revenues on the gross basis at amounts charged to our customers because we control and are primarily responsible for the fulfillment of promised services. Accordingly, we serve as a principal in the transaction. We invoice our customers, and we maintain discretion over pricing. Additionally, we are responsible for selection of third Our revenue is earned through the service offerings of our five 14, Intermodal (JBI) third one Dedicated Contract Services (DCS ) Integrated Capacity Solutions (ICS) third one 360°® Final Mile Services (FMS) Truckload (JBT) 360box® 360 not We recognize revenue from customer contracts based on relative transit time in each reporting period and as other performance obligations are provided, with related expenses recognized as incurred. Accordingly, a portion of the total revenue that will be billed to the customer is recognized in each reporting period based on the percentage of the freight pickup and delivery performance obligation that has been completed at the end of the reporting period. |
| Derivatives, Policy [Policy Text Block] | Derivative Instruments We periodically utilize derivative instruments to manage exposure to changes in interest rates. At inception of a derivative contract, we document relationships between derivative instruments and hedged items, as well as our risk-management objective and strategy for undertaking various derivative transactions, and assess hedge effectiveness. If it is determined that a derivative is not |
| Income Tax, Policy [Policy Text Block] | Income Taxes Income taxes are accounted for under the liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and operating loss and tax credit carry forwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized as income or expense in the period that includes the enactment date. We record valuation allowances for deferred tax assets to the extent we believe these assets are not not not not |
| Earnings Per Share, Policy [Policy Text Block] | Earnings Per Share We compute basic earnings per share by dividing net earnings available to common stockholders by the actual weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the reporting period. Diluted earnings per share reflect the potential dilution that could occur if holders of unvested restricted and performance share units converted their holdings into common stock. Outstanding unvested restricted share units represent the dilutive effects on weighted average shares. A reconciliation of the number of shares used in computing basic and diluted earnings per share is shown below (in thousands): Years ended December 31, 2021 2020 2019 Weighted average shares outstanding – basic 105,359 105,700 107,329 Effect of common stock equivalents 1,234 1,066 978 Weighted average shares outstanding – diluted 106,593 106,766 108,307 |
| Concentration Risk, Credit Risk, Policy [Policy Text Block] | Concentrations of Credit Risk Financial instruments, which potentially subject us to concentrations of credit risk, include trade receivables. For each of the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020, 2019, December 31, 2021 2020, December 31, 2021, 2020, 2019, five |
| Share-based Payment Arrangement [Policy Text Block] | Share-based Compensation We have a share-based compensation plan covering certain employees, including officers and directors. We account for share-based compensation utilizing the fair value recognition provisions of current accounting standards for share-based payments. We currently utilize restricted share units and performance share units. Issuances of our stock upon restricted share unit and performance share unit vesting are made from treasury stock. Our restricted share unit and performance share unit awards may |
| Claims Accruals Policy [Policy Text Block] | Claims Accruals We purchase insurance coverage for a portion of expenses related to employee injuries, vehicular collisions, accidents, and cargo damage. We are substantially self-insured for loss of and damage to our owned and leased revenue equipment. Certain insurance arrangements include a level of self-insurance (deductible) coverage applicable to each claim. We have umbrella policies to limit our exposure to catastrophic claim costs. The amounts of self-insurance change from time to time based on measurement dates, policy expiration dates, and claim type. For 2019 2021, 2022 2021 Our claims accrual policy for all self-insured claims is to recognize a liability at the time of the incident based on our analysis of the nature and severity of the claims and analyses provided by third not not December 31, 2021 2020, December 31, 2021 2020, December 31, 2021 2020, |
| Business Combinations Policy [Policy Text Block] | Business Combinations The purchase price of our acquisitions is the aggregate of the consideration transferred, including liabilities incurred, measured at the acquisition date. We allocate the purchase price of acquisitions to tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their estimated fair values at the acquisition date. This assignment of fair values to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed requires the use of estimates, judgments, inputs, and assumptions. The excess of the purchase price over those estimated fair values is recorded as goodwill. Changes to the acquisition date provisional fair values prior to the end of the measurement period are recorded as adjustments to the associated goodwill. Acquisition-related expenses and restructuring costs, if any, are expensed as incurred. |
| Goodwill and Intangible Assets, Policy [Policy Text Block] | Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets Goodwill represents the excess of cost over the fair value of net identifiable tangible and intangible assets acquired in a business combination. Goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite lives are not October 1 st |
