Income Taxes (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Open Tax Years by Major Tax Jurisdiction			Con-way is subject to examination for federal income taxes for tax years 2008 forward.
Deferred Tax Assets Federal Operating Loss Carryforwards			$ 82,500,000
Operating Loss Carryforwards, Expiration Dates			2031
Percentage bonus depreciation on certain capital expenditures		50.00%	50.00%	100.00%
Income tax receivables			6,600,000	4,800,000
Deferred tax assets tax losses total			49,125,000	57,635,000
Deferred Tax Assets, Tax Credit Carryforwards			9,138,000	6,877,000
Combined future tax benefits			58,300,000
Increased valuation allowance			(19,120,000)	(17,515,000)
Cumulative undistributed earnings			33,000,000
More-likely-than-not criteria			If the position meets the more-likely-than-not criteria, it is measured using a probability-weighted approach as the largest amount of tax benefit that is greater than 50% likely of being realized upon settlement.
Gross unrecognized tax benefits			15,000,000	17,400,000
Accrued interest and penalties			5,300,000	6,700,000
Unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized, would change the effective tax rate			8,200,000	8,700,000
Interest and penalties			(1,300,000)	800,000
Unrecognized tax benefits decrease			4,300,000
Current Income Tax Expense (Benefit)	3,300,000		(6,472,000)	(10,188,000)	51,024,000
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Increases Resulting from Prior Period Tax Positions			$ 2,676,000	$ 2,770,000