Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2020
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Basis of Accounting, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Basis of Presentation On July 1, 2020, the stockholders of Covenant Transportation Group, Inc. approved the amendment to the organization’s Articles of Incorporation to change the Company’s name to Covenant Logistics Group, Inc. All references herein reflect the change of name to Covenant Logistics Group, Inc. The condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Covenant Logistics Group, Inc., a Nevada holding company, and its wholly owned subsidiaries. References in this report to "we," "us," "our," the "Company," and similar expressions refer to Covenant Logistics Group, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933. In preparing financial statements, it is necessary for management to make assumptions and estimates affecting the amounts reported in the condensed consolidated financial statements and related notes. These estimates and assumptions are developed based upon all information available. Actual results could differ from estimated amounts. In the opinion of management, the accompanying financial statements include all adjustments that are necessary for a fair presentation of the results for the interim periods presented, such adjustments being of a normal recurring nature. Certain information and footnote disclosures have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations. The December 31, 2019, condensed consolidated balance sheet was derived from our audited balance sheet as of that date. Our operating results are subject to seasonal trends when measured on a quarterly basis; therefore operating results for the six months ended June 30, 2020 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2020. These condensed consolidated financial statements and notes thereto should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019. Results of operations in interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results to be expected for a full year.
Change in Accounting Estimate [Policy Text Block]	Change in Estimates The Company reviews the estimated useful lives and salvage values of its assets on an ongoing basis, based upon, among other things, our experience with similar assets, conditions in the used revenue equipment market, and prevailing industry practice. During the second quarter of 2020, the Company adjusted the useful lives of certain intangible finite-lived assets, including the Landair trade name and non-compete agreement, and certain revenue equipment held under operating leases as the result of management changes, a change in the branding of the organization, and the forward looking use of these assets. These changes are being treated as a change in accounting estimate. During the three and six months ended June 30, 2020, these changes in estimates resulted in an increase in depreciation and amortization expense of approximately $3.2 million, or a $2.2 million, or $0.13 per diluted share increase to net loss.
Risks and Uncertainties [Policy Text Block]	Risks and Uncertainties In March 2020, the World Health Organization declared the COVID-19 outbreak a global pandemic, and the President of the United States declared the COVID-19 a national emergency. The rapid spread of the pandemic and the continuously evolving responses to combat it have had a continued negative impact on the global economy. In view of the rapidly changing business environment, unprecedented market volatility and heightened degree of uncertainty resulting from COVID-19, we are currently unable to fully determine its future impact on our business. However, we are continuing to monitor the progression of the pandemic, further government response and development of treatments and vaccines and their potential effect on our financial position, results of operations, cash flows and liquidity. These events could have an impact in future periods on certain estimates used in the preparation of our second quarter financial results, including, but not limited to impairment of goodwill, other intangible assets and other long-lived assets, income tax provision and recoverability of certain receivables. Should the pandemic continue for an extended period of time, the impact on our operations could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and liquidity. Our insurance program includes multi-year policies with specific insurance limits that may be eroded over the course of the policy term. If that occurs, we will be operating with less liability coverage insurance at various levels of our insurance tower. For the current policy period ( April 1, 2018 to March 31, 2021), aggregate limits available in the coverage layer $9.0 million in excess of $1.0 million are estimated to be fully eroded based on current claims expense accruals. As a result, any increase increases to existing claims, and/or new claims filed prior to March 31, 2021, may require additional expense accruals. Additionally, there is the possibility of mandatory reinstatement charges for the expired policy providing coverage in the $10.0 million in excess of $10.0 million layer, for accidents that occurred prior to expiration on March 31, 2020. Due to developments, we may experience additional expense accruals, increased insurance and claims expenses, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations. We maintain insurance to cover liabilities arising from the transportation of freight for amounts in excess of certain self-insured retentions. In management's opinion, our potential exposure under pending legal proceedings is adequately provided for in the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements. Due to these developments, we may experience additional expense accruals, increased insurance and claims expenses, and greater volatility in our insurance and claims expenses, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations. On July 8, 2020, we closed on the disposition of substantially all of the operations and assets of TFS, which included substantially all of the assets and operations of our Factoring reportable segment. The sale consisted primarily of $103.3 million of net accounts receivable, which included $108.7 million of gross accounts receivable, less advances and rebates of $5.4 million. Subsequent to the disposition, the Company and the purchaser of TFS’ assets became involved in a dispute related to the disposition of the assets of TFS. See Note 15 for additional information on the risks and uncertainties associated with this dispute.
Property, Plant and Equipment, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Property and Equipment Property and equipment is stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation for book purposes is determined using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets, while depreciation for tax purposes is generally recorded using an accelerated method. Depreciation of revenue equipment is our largest item of depreciation. We have historically depreciated new tractors over five years to salvage values of approximately 15% of their cost. We generally depreciate new trailers over seven years for refrigerated trailers and ten years for dry van trailers to salvage values of approximately 25% of their cost. We review, at least annually, the reasonableness of our estimates regarding useful lives and salvage values of our revenue equipment and other long-lived assets based upon, among other things, our experience with similar assets, conditions in the used revenue equipment market, and prevailing industry practice. Changes in the useful life or salvage value estimates, or fluctuations in market values that are not reflected in our estimates, could have a material effect on our results of operations. Gains and losses on the disposal of property and equipment are included in depreciation expense in the consolidated statements of operations.
New Accounting Pronouncements, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Recent Accounting Pronouncements Accounting Standards not* yet adopted* In June 2016, FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments, which will require an entity to measure credit losses for certain financial instruments and financial assets, including trade receivables. Under this update, on initial recognition and at each reporting period, an entity will be required to recognize an allowance that reflects the entity’s current estimate of credit losses expected to be incurred over the life of the financial instrument. This update will be effective for our annual reporting period beginning January 1, 2023, including interim periods within that reporting period. Early adoption is permitted. We are currently evaluating the impacts the adoption of this standard will have on the consolidated financial statements.

Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2020

Basis of Accounting, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Basis of Presentation

On July 1, 2020, the stockholders of Covenant Transportation Group, Inc. approved the amendment to the organization’s Articles of Incorporation to change the Company’s name to Covenant Logistics Group, Inc. All references herein reflect the change of name to Covenant Logistics Group, Inc.

The condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Covenant Logistics Group, Inc., a Nevada holding company, and its wholly owned subsidiaries. References in this report to "we," "us," "our," the "Company," and similar expressions refer to Covenant Logistics Group, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933. In preparing financial statements, it is necessary for management to make assumptions and estimates affecting the amounts reported in the condensed consolidated financial statements and related notes. These estimates and assumptions are developed based upon all information available. Actual results could differ from estimated amounts. In the opinion of management, the accompanying financial statements include all adjustments that are necessary for a fair presentation of the results for the interim periods presented, such adjustments being of a normal recurring nature.

Certain information and footnote disclosures have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations. The December 31, 2019, condensed consolidated balance sheet was derived from our audited balance sheet as of that date. Our operating results are subject to seasonal trends when measured on a quarterly basis; therefore operating results for the six months ended June 30, 2020 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2020. These condensed consolidated financial statements and notes thereto should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019. Results of operations in interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results to be expected for a full year.

Change in Accounting Estimate [Policy Text Block]

Change in Estimates

The Company reviews the estimated useful lives and salvage values of its assets on an ongoing basis, based upon, among other things, our experience with similar assets, conditions in the used revenue equipment market, and prevailing industry practice. During the second quarter of 2020, the Company adjusted the useful lives of certain intangible finite-lived assets, including the Landair trade name and non-compete agreement, and certain revenue equipment held under operating leases as the result of management changes, a change in the branding of the organization, and the forward looking use of these assets. These changes are being treated as a change in accounting estimate. During the three and six months ended June 30, 2020, these changes in estimates resulted in an increase in depreciation and amortization expense of approximately $3.2 million, or a $2.2 million, or $0.13 per diluted share increase to net loss.

Risks and Uncertainties [Policy Text Block]

Risks and Uncertainties

In March 2020, the World Health Organization declared the COVID-19 outbreak a global pandemic, and the President of the United States declared the COVID-19 a national emergency. The rapid spread of the pandemic and the continuously evolving responses to combat it have had a continued negative impact on the global economy. In view of the rapidly changing business environment, unprecedented market volatility and heightened degree of uncertainty resulting from COVID-19, we are currently unable to fully determine its future impact on our business. However, we are continuing to monitor the progression of the pandemic, further government response and development of treatments and vaccines and their potential effect on our financial position, results of operations, cash flows and liquidity. These events could have an impact in future periods on certain estimates used in the preparation of our second quarter financial results, including, but not limited to impairment of goodwill, other intangible assets and other long-lived assets, income tax provision and recoverability of certain receivables. Should the pandemic continue for an extended period of time, the impact on our operations could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and liquidity.

Our insurance program includes multi-year policies with specific insurance limits that may be eroded over the course of the policy term. If that occurs, we will be operating with less liability coverage insurance at various levels of our insurance tower. For the current policy period ( April 1, 2018 to March 31, 2021), aggregate limits available in the coverage layer $9.0 million in excess of $1.0 million are estimated to be fully eroded based on current claims expense accruals. As a result, any increase increases to existing claims, and/or new claims filed prior to March 31, 2021, may require additional expense accruals. Additionally, there is the possibility of mandatory reinstatement charges for the expired policy providing coverage in the $10.0 million in excess of $10.0 million layer, for accidents that occurred prior to expiration on March 31, 2020. Due to developments, we may experience additional expense accruals, increased insurance and claims expenses, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations. We maintain insurance to cover liabilities arising from the transportation of freight for amounts in excess of certain self-insured retentions. In management's opinion, our potential exposure under pending legal proceedings is adequately provided for in the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements. Due to these developments, we may experience additional expense accruals, increased insurance and claims expenses, and greater volatility in our insurance and claims expenses, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.

On July 8, 2020, we closed on the disposition of substantially all of the operations and assets of TFS, which included substantially all of the assets and operations of our Factoring reportable segment. The sale consisted primarily of $103.3 million of net accounts receivable, which included $108.7 million of gross accounts receivable, less advances and rebates of $5.4 million. Subsequent to the disposition, the Company and the purchaser of TFS’ assets became involved in a dispute related to the disposition of the assets of TFS. See Note 15 for additional information on the risks and uncertainties associated with this dispute.

Property, Plant and Equipment, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment is stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation for book purposes is determined using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets, while depreciation for tax purposes is generally recorded using an accelerated method. Depreciation of revenue equipment is our largest item of depreciation. We have historically depreciated new tractors over five years to salvage values of approximately 15% of their cost. We generally depreciate new trailers over seven years for refrigerated trailers and ten years for dry van trailers to salvage values of approximately 25% of their cost. We review, at least annually, the reasonableness of our estimates regarding useful lives and salvage values of our revenue equipment and other long-lived assets based upon, among other things, our experience with similar assets, conditions in the used revenue equipment market, and prevailing industry practice. Changes in the useful life or salvage value estimates, or fluctuations in market values that are not reflected in our estimates, could have a material effect on our results of operations. Gains and losses on the disposal of property and equipment are included in depreciation expense in the consolidated statements of operations.

New Accounting Pronouncements, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Accounting Standards not yet adopted

In June 2016, FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments, which will require an entity to measure credit losses for certain financial instruments and financial assets, including trade receivables. Under this update, on initial recognition and at each reporting period, an entity will be required to recognize an allowance that reflects the entity’s current estimate of credit losses expected to be incurred over the life of the financial instrument. This update will be effective for our annual reporting period beginning January 1, 2023, including interim periods within that reporting period. Early adoption is permitted. We are currently evaluating the impacts the adoption of this standard will have on the consolidated financial statements.