Rental Equipment (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Rental equipment, net	$ 5,374	$ 4,966
Equipment Leased to Other Party [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Rental equipment	7,574	6,820
Less accumulated depreciation	(2,200)	(1,854)
Rental equipment, net	$ 5,374	$ 4,966

Rental Equipment, Accumulated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization

No definition available.

Name:	uri_RentalEquipmentAccumulatedDepreciationDepletionAndAmortization
Namespace Prefix:	uri_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant