Income Taxes (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Income taxes
Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, provisional income tax benefit	$ 5,431
Net deferred tax assets prior to valuation allowance	95,539	$ 145,221
Consolidated TRS
Income taxes
Net deferred tax assets prior to valuation allowance	$ 51,589	$ 77,387
Valuation allowance provided (as a percent)	100.00%	100.00%
Net operating loss carryforwards for federal income tax purpose, subject to expiration	$ 209,019
Travel Centers of America LLC
Income taxes
Net deferred tax assets prior to valuation allowance	$ 37,800	$ 61,173
Valuation allowance provided (as a percent)	100.00%	100.00%
Net operating loss carryforwards for federal income tax purpose, subject to expiration	$ 136,420
General business tax credits subject to expiration	$ 5,984