Document and Entity Information - shares	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Nov. 01, 2018
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	ADAMS RESOURCES & ENERGY, INC.
Entity Central Index Key	0000002178
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2018
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2018
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		4,217,596