Cover Page - shares	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2019	Aug. 01, 2019
Cover page.
Document Type	10-Q
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Period End Date	Jun. 30, 2019
Document Transition Report	false
Entity File Number	1-07908
Entity Registrant Name	ADAMS RESOURCES & ENERGY, INC.
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	DE
Entity Tax Identification Number	74-1753147
Entity Address, Address Line One	17 South Briar Hollow Lane
Entity Address, Address Line Two	Suite 100
Entity Address, City or Town	Houston
Entity Address, State or Province	TX
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	77027
City Area Code	713
Local Phone Number	881-3600
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock
Trading Symbol	AE
Security Exchange Name	NYSEAMER
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	true
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		4,233,587
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2019
Entity Central Index Key	0000002178
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2
Amendment Flag	false