Document And Entity Information - shares	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2019	Aug. 08, 2019
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Registrant Name	COVENANT TRANSPORTATION GROUP INC
Entity Central Index Key	0000928658
Trading Symbol	cvti
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Jun. 30, 2019
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2019
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2
Amendment Flag	false
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock
Common Class A [Member]
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding (in shares)		16,108,270
Common Class B [Member]
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding (in shares)		2,350,000