Concentration (Details 4) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Operations
Total revenues	$ 322,311	$ 330,068	$ 343,183	$ 301,420	$ 295,851	$ 318,689	$ 313,809	$ 281,984	$ 1,296,982	$ 1,210,333	$ 1,085,488
Net income (loss)	26,631	44,658	37,686	42,948	38,218	47,531	51,643	53,048	151,923	190,440	21,351
Cash Flows
Net cash provided by operating activities									363,908	355,102	341,444
Net cash used in investing activities									(728,920)	(94,307)	(122,203)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities									376,758	(257,374)	(344,758)
Net decrease in cash									11,746	3,421	(125,517)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year				8,303				4,882	8,303	4,882	130,399
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	20,049				8,303				20,049	8,303	4,882
Financial Position
Total shareholders' equity	2,733,798				2,799,302				2,733,798	2,799,302	2,860,241	3,091,931
Investment | Lessee of real estate investments | Travel Centers of America LLC
Operations
Total revenues									7,995,724	7,888,857	5,962,481
Total cost of goods sold									6,909,724	6,850,039	5,019,630
Net income (loss)									32,198	23,574	(66,690)
Cash Flows
Net cash provided by operating activities									83,072	30,141	30,893
Net cash used in investing activities									(172,474)	(86,798)	59,544
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities									6,322	49,547	(1,628)
Net decrease in cash									(83,066)	(7,141)	(30,236)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year				118,255				125,396	118,255	125,396	155,632
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	35,189				118,255				35,189	118,255	125,396
Financial Position
Current assets	393,488				484,250				393,488	484,250	407,426
Noncurrent assets	624,793				532,281				624,793	532,281	483,666
Current liabilities	283,127				289,566				283,127	289,566	239,055
Noncurrent liabilities	381,720				408,364				381,720	408,364	412,521
Total shareholders' equity	$ 353,434				$ 318,601				$ 353,434	$ 318,601	$ 239,516