Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details 2) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011 month segment	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Intangible Assets and Liabilities
Intangible assets, indefinite and finite	$ 117,254	$ 119,425
Intangible liabilities	5,139	5,834
Revenue recognition
Adjustments necessary to record rent on straight line basis	4,807
Percentage rental income	1,879	1,450	1,426
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Minimum maturity of highly liquid investments to be cash equivalents (in months)	3
Deferred Financing Costs
Deferred financing costs, net of accumulated amortization	12,542	9,101
Accumulated amortization	30,364	26,933
Future amortization of deferred financing fees in 2012	3,487
Future amortization of deferred financing fees in 2013	3,205
Future amortization of deferred financing fees in 2014	2,974
Future amortization of deferred financing fees in 2015	1,921
Future amortization of deferred financing fees in 2016	613
Future amortization of deferred financing fees, thereafter	342
Segment information
Number of reportable business segments	2
Income taxes
Minimum percentage of likelihood of realization of tax benefits	50.00%
Travel Centers of America LLC | Travel centers | TA No. 1
Revenue recognition
Number of travel centers leased (in properties)	145
Tradenames and trademarks
Intangible Assets and Liabilities
Intangible assets, indefinite	89,375	89,375
Below market ground leases
Intangible Assets and Liabilities
Intangible assets	27,879	30,050
Accumulated amortization, intangible assets	21,198	19,027
Amortization period of intangible assets (in years)	14
Amortization expenses of intangible assets	2,171	2,172	2,171
Future amortization expense, Intangible Assets
2012	2,170
2013	2,170
2014	2,170
2015	2,170
2016	2,170
Thereafter	17,029
Total future amortization expenses	27,879
Above market ground leases
Intangible Assets and Liabilities
Intangible liabilities	5,139	5,834
Accumulated amortization, intangible liabilities	5,511	4,816
Amortization period of intangible liabilities (in years)	20
Amortization expenses of intangible liabilities	695	726	734
Future amortization expense, Intangible Liabilities
2012	(695)
2013	(653)
2014	(653)
2015	(653)
2016	(653)
Thereafter	(1,832)
Total future amortization expenses	$ (5,139)