Quarterly Financial Data (Components Of Quarterly Financial Data) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended																12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011		Sep. 30, 2011		Jun. 30, 2011		Mar. 31, 2011		Dec. 31, 2010		Sep. 30, 2010		Jun. 30, 2010		Mar. 31, 2010		Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Quarterly Financial Data [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 1,318,698		$ 1,377,079		$ 1,348,549		$ 1,245,627		$ 1,213,643		$ 1,270,183		$ 1,306,263		$ 1,161,911		$ 5,289,953	$ 4,952,000	$ 4,269,239
Operating Income	49,942	[1]	61,125	[1]	60,165	[1]	36,696	[1]	15,837	[1]	12,501	[1]	35,432	[1]	14,400	[1]	207,928	78,170	(25,928)
Income (Loss) from before Income Tax Provision (Benefit)	33,661		47,606		45,444		21,361		693		(1,533)		20,311		(2,914)		148,072	16,557	(90,269)
Income Tax Provision (Benefit)	10,690	[2]	18,478	[2]	16,022	[2]	14,439	[2]	(1,694)	[2]	6,695	[2]	6,448	[2]	1,123	[2]	59,629	12,572	17,478
Net Income (Loss) Applicable to Common Shareholders	22,971		29,128		29,422		6,922		2,387		(8,228)		13,863		(4,037)		88,443	3,985	(110,936)
Net Income (Loss) Applicable to Common Shareholders, Basic Earnings (Loss)	$ 0.41		$ 0.52		$ 0.53		$ 0.13		$ 0.04		$ (0.15)		$ 0.27		$ (0.08)		$ 1.60	$ 0.08	$ (2.33)
Net Income (Loss) Applicable to Common Shareholders, Diluted Earnings (Loss)	$ 0.41		$ 0.52		$ 0.52		$ 0.12		$ 0.04		$ (0.15)		$ 0.26		$ (0.08)		$ 1.58	$ 0.07	$ (2.33)
Cash Dividends	$ 0.10		$ 0.10		$ 0.10		$ 0.10		$ 0.10		$ 0.10		$ 0.10		$ 0.10
Goodwill impairment charges																			$ 16,414
Minimum [Member]
Quarterly Financial Data [Line Items]
Market price	$ 20.56		$ 21.32		$ 35.42		$ 30.56		$ 29.87		$ 26.15		$ 28.43		$ 28.13
Maximum [Member]
Quarterly Financial Data [Line Items]
Market price	$ 30.71		$ 42.38		$ 40.36		$ 39.78		$ 37.10		$ 35.35		$ 40.34		$ 36.74

[1] [a] The comparability of Con-way's consolidated operating income was affected by the following unusual income or expense: - A gain of $10.0 million in the fourth quarter of 2011 resulting from a purchase-price adjustment to settle a dispute associated with the 2007 acquisition of Chic Logistics. - A goodwill impairment charge of $16.4 million at Menlo Worldwide Logistics in the third quarter of 2010.

[2] [b] The comparability of Con-way's income tax provision (benefit) was affected by the following: - The first quarter of 2011 reflects a $5.9 million charge in connection with an IRS audit settlement. - The third quarter of 2010 reflects the non-deductible goodwill impairment charge at Menlo Worldwide Logistics.