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	Dec. 31, 2009
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Balance		$ 1,105,370	$ 1,073,213
Long-term liabilities		(610,850)	(418,731)
Qualified Pension Plans [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Projected benefit obligation at beginning of year	1,526,136	1,314,650	1,166,176
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation		71,308	69,136	69,857
Actuarial loss	19,300			(192,798)
Benefits paid		(43,115)	(39,047)
Projected and accumulated benefit obligation at end of year		1,526,136	1,314,650	1,166,176
Balance	1,105,370	1,073,213	902,276
Actual return on plan assets		12,657	116,223
Con-way contributions		62,615	93,761
Balance		1,105,370	1,073,213	902,276
Funded status of the plans		(420,766)	(241,437)
Long-term liabilities		(420,766)	(241,437)
Net amount recognized		(420,766)	(241,437)
Projected and accumulated benefit obligation		1,503,510	1,290,483
Fair value of plan assets		1,074,284	1,040,882
Discount rate		4.65%	5.55%
Non-Qualified Pension Plans [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Projected benefit obligation at beginning of year	76,229	69,934	66,847
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation		3,787	3,879	4,203
Actuarial loss	900	7,587		(6,419)
Benefits paid		(5,079)	(4,947)
Projected and accumulated benefit obligation at end of year		76,229	69,934	66,847
Con-way contributions		5,079	4,947
Funded status of the plans		(76,229)	(69,934)
Current liabilities		(5,051)	(4,757)
Long-term liabilities		(71,178)	(65,177)
Net amount recognized		(76,229)	(69,934)
Projected and accumulated benefit obligation		$ 76,229	$ 69,934
Discount rate		4.65%	5.55%