Consolidated Statements of Income - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Operating revenues	$ 2,734,372	$ 2,372,178	$ 2,463,701
Operating expenses:
Salaries, wages and benefits	895,012	795,847	818,487
Fuel	245,866	157,124	235,928
Supplies and maintenance	206,701	175,842	182,909
Taxes and licenses	96,095	95,746	95,525
Insurance and claims	98,658	109,816	88,913
Depreciation and amortization	267,700	263,286	249,527
Rent and purchased transportation	641,159	519,184	549,438
Communications and utilities	13,460	14,474	15,303
Other	(39,425)	13,421	2,199
Total operating expenses	2,425,226	2,144,740	2,238,229
Operating income	309,146	227,438	225,472
Other expense (income):
Interest expense	4,423	4,215	6,854
Interest income	(1,211)	(1,634)	(3,326)
Gain on investments in equity securities, net	(40,317)	0	0
Other	236	163	38
Total other expense (income)	(36,869)	2,744	3,566
Income before income taxes	346,015	224,694	221,906
Income tax expense	84,537	55,616	54,962
Net income	261,478	169,078	166,944
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	(2,426)	0	0
Net income attributable to Werner	$ 259,052	$ 169,078	$ 166,944
Earnings per share:
Basic	$ 3.84	$ 2.45	$ 2.40
Diluted	$ 3.82	$ 2.44	$ 2.38
Weighted-average common shares outstanding:
Basic	67,434	69,018	69,567
Diluted	67,855	69,427	70,026