Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified		Total	Preferred Stock	Common Stock	Additional Paid-In Capital	Retained Earnings	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
Balance at Dec. 31, 2009		$ 1,426,995	$ 0	$ 26,710	$ 743,026	$ 1,036,178	$ (378,919)
Balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2009				53,419,721
Components of comprehensive income:
Net earnings		118,170				118,170
Other comprehensive income (loss)		2,320					2,320
Comprehensive income (loss)		120,490
Common stock dividends declared and paid		(54,474)	0	0	0	(54,474)	0
Common stock issued under employee stock option and stock purchase plans	[1]	17,028	0	370	16,658	0	0
Common stock issued under employee stock option and stock purchase plans, shares	[1]			740,242
Benefit plan stock sales (purchases)	[2]	(130)	0	(2)	(128)	0	0
Benefit plan stock sales (purchases), shares	[2]			(3,160)
Common stock repurchases		(123,170)	0	(1,491)	(41,590)	(80,089)	0
Common stock repurchases, shares				(2,982,046)
Share-based compensation		16,543	0	0	16,543	0	0
Tax benefits from share-based compensation		1,031	0	0	1,031	0	0
Balance at Dec. 31, 2010		1,404,313	0	25,587	735,540	1,019,785	(376,599)
Balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2010				51,174,757
Components of comprehensive income:
Net earnings		169,777				169,777
Other comprehensive income (loss)		(190,566)					(190,566)
Comprehensive income (loss)		(20,789)
Common stock dividends declared and paid		(57,504)	0	0	0	(57,504)	0
Common stock issued under employee stock option and stock purchase plans	[1]	33,359	0	579	32,780	0	0
Common stock issued under employee stock option and stock purchase plans, shares	[1]			1,157,548
Benefit plan stock sales (purchases)	[2]	(587)	0	(6)	(581)	0	0
Benefit plan stock sales (purchases), shares	[2]			(12,576)
Common stock repurchases		(59,102)	0	(588)	(16,819)	(41,695)	0
Common stock repurchases, shares				(1,175,783)
Share-based compensation		17,423	0	0	17,423	0	0
Tax benefits from share-based compensation		1,040	0	0	1,040	0	0
Balance at Dec. 31, 2011		1,318,153	0	25,572	769,383	1,090,363	(567,165)
Balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2011		51,143,946		51,143,946
Components of comprehensive income:
Net earnings		209,979				209,979
Other comprehensive income (loss)		(20,454)					(20,454)
Comprehensive income (loss)		189,525
Common stock dividends declared and paid		(61,266)	0	0	0		0
Common stock issued under employee stock option and stock purchase plans	[1]	28,386	0	391	27,995	0	0
Common stock issued under employee stock option and stock purchase plans, shares	[1]			782,783
Benefit plan stock sales (purchases)	[2]	(535)	0	(5)	(530)	0	0
Benefit plan stock sales (purchases), shares	[2]			(11,110)
Common stock repurchases		(26,343)	0	(272)	(8,185)	(17,886)	0
Common stock repurchases, shares				(543,923)
Share-based compensation		18,864	0	0	18,864	0	0
Tax benefits from share-based compensation		703	0	0	703	0	0
Balance at Dec. 31, 2012		$ 1,467,487	$ 0	$ 25,686	$ 808,230	$ 1,221,190	$ (587,619)
Balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2012		51,371,696		51,371,696

[1] Net of common shares delivered as payment for the exercise price or to satisfy the holders’ withholding tax liability upon exercise of options.

[2] Represents open-market transactions of common shares by the trustee of Ryder’s deferred compensation plans.