Document and Entity Information - shares	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2019	Aug. 05, 2019
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Jun. 30, 2019
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2019
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2
Trading Symbol	EXPD
Entity Registrant Name	EXPEDITORS INTERNATIONAL OF WASHINGTON INC
Entity Central Index Key	0000746515
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		170,720,139
Entity File Number	0-13468
Entity Tax Identification Number	911069248
Entity Address, Address Line One	1015 Third Avenue
Entity Address, City or Town	Seattle
Entity Address, State or Province	Washington
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	98104
City Area Code	206
Local Phone Number	674-3400