Cover - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2022	Feb. 24, 2023	Jun. 30, 2022
Cover [Abstract]
Document Type	10-K
Document Annual Report	true
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2022
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Document Transition Report	false
Entity File Number	001-14733
Entity Registrant Name	LITHIA MOTORS INC
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	OR
Entity Tax Identification Number	93-0572810
Entity Address, Address Line One	150 N. Bartlett Street,
Entity Address, City or Town	Medford,
Entity Address, State or Province	OR
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	97501
City Area Code	541
Local Phone Number	776-6401
Title of 12(b) Security	Common stock without par value
Trading Symbol	LAD
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
ICFR Auditor Attestation Flag	true
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Public Float			$ 7,896,163
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		27,338,411
Documents Incorporated by Reference	The Registrant has incorporated into Part III of Form 10-K, by reference, portions of its Proxy Statement for its 2023 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.
Entity Central Index Key	0001023128
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2022
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Amendment Flag	false