Employee Benefit Plans (Changes In The Projected Benefit Obligation, The Fair Value Of Plan Assets And The Determination Of The Amounts Recognized) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value Of Pension Plan Assets	$ 1,281,261	$ 1,105,370
Qualified Pension Plans [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Projected benefit obligation at beginning of year	1,526,136	1,314,650
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation	70,168	71,308	69,136
Plan amendments	44,961	0
Actuarial loss (gain)	85,755	183,293
Benefits paid	(46,417)	(43,115)
Projected and accumulated benefit obligation at end of year	1,680,603	1,526,136	1,314,650
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value Of Pension Plan Assets	1,105,370	1,073,213
Actual return on plan assets	170,886	12,657
Con-way contributions	51,422	62,615
Benefits paid	(46,417)	(43,115)
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value Of Pension Plan Assets	1,281,261	1,105,370	1,073,213
Funded status of the plan	(399,342)	(420,766)
Current liabilities	0	0
Defined Benefit Pension Plan, Liabilities, Noncurrent	(399,342)	(420,766)
Net amount recognized	(399,342)	(420,766)
Projected and accumulated benefit obligation	1,657,701	1,503,510
Fair value of plan assets	1,247,409	1,074,284
Discount rate	4.25%	4.65%
Non-Qualified Pension Plans [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Projected benefit obligation at beginning of year	76,229	69,934
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation	3,438	3,787	3,879
Plan amendments	109	0
Actuarial loss (gain)	3,574	7,587
Benefits paid	(5,132)	(5,079)
Projected and accumulated benefit obligation at end of year	78,218	76,229	69,934
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value Of Pension Plan Assets	0	0
Actual return on plan assets	0	0
Con-way contributions	5,132	5,079
Benefits paid	(5,132)	(5,079)
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value Of Pension Plan Assets	0	0	0
Funded status of the plan	(78,218)	(76,229)
Current liabilities	(5,135)	(5,051)
Defined Benefit Pension Plan, Liabilities, Noncurrent	(73,083)	(71,178)
Net amount recognized	(78,218)	(76,229)
Projected and accumulated benefit obligation	78,218	76,229
Fair value of plan assets	$ 0	$ 0
Discount rate	4.25%	4.65%