Non-controlling Interests - Narrative (Details) $ in Thousands				8 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Apr. 12, 2018 USD ($)	Dec. 05, 2017 shares	May 03, 2017 shares	Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2019 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2018 USD ($) shares	Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($)
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Conversion ratio					1.25
Carvana Group
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Ownership percentage by Carvana Co.					32.30%
Ownership percentage by existing unitholders					67.70%
Class A Units
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Conversion ratio					0.80
Class B Units
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Conversion ratio					0.80
Carvana Group | Class A Units
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Conversion of Class A Convertible Preferred Stock (in shares) | shares						6,300,000
Convertible preferred stock, shares issued upon conversion (in shares) | shares			43,100,000			6,300,000
Class A Convertible Preferred Stock
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Conversion ratio			0.8
Conversion of Class A Convertible Preferred Stock (in shares) | shares		100,000				100,000
Class A Convertible Preferred Stock | Carvana Group
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Conversion of Class A Convertible Preferred Stock (in shares) | shares						25,000
Class A
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Conversion of Class A Convertible Preferred Stock (in shares) | shares						5,100,000
Convertible Preferred Units
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Stock cancelled and retired during the period (in shares) | shares						100,000
Car360
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Fair value, equity interests issued	$ 10,000
Car360 | Carvana Group
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Number of shares issued to former stockholders (in shares) | shares						500,000
Fair value, equity interests issued						$ 10,000
Additional Paid-in Capital
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Adjustment to non-controlling interests				$ 3,631	$ 4,948	15,828	$ 3,600
Additional Paid-in Capital | Class B Units
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Adjustment to non-controlling interests							300
Additional Paid-in Capital | Class A Convertible Preferred Stock
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Adjustment to non-controlling interests						(67,972)
Additional Paid-in Capital | Car360
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Adjustment to non-controlling interests						1,297
Additional Paid-in Capital | Public Equity Offering
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Adjustment to non-controlling interests					(201,000)
Additional Paid-in Capital | Follow On Public Offering
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Adjustment to non-controlling interests					(201,015)	(132,375)
Non-controlling Interests
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Adjustment to non-controlling interests				$ (3,631)	(4,950)	(15,828)	(3,600)
Non-controlling Interests | Class B Units
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Adjustment to non-controlling interests							$ (300)
Non-controlling Interests | Class A Convertible Preferred Stock
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Adjustment to non-controlling interests						67,972
Non-controlling Interests | Car360
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Adjustment to non-controlling interests						(1,297)
Non-controlling Interests | Public Equity Offering
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Adjustment to non-controlling interests					201,000
Non-controlling Interests | Follow On Public Offering
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Adjustment to non-controlling interests					$ 201,015	$ 132,375