<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<FilingSummary xmlns:xsd="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance">
  <Version>2.4.0.8</Version>
  <ProcessingTime />
  <ReportFormat>HtmlAndXml</ReportFormat>
  <ContextCount>139</ContextCount>
  <ElementCount>207</ElementCount>
  <EntityCount>1</EntityCount>
  <FootnotesReported>false</FootnotesReported>
  <SegmentCount>39</SegmentCount>
  <ScenarioCount>0</ScenarioCount>
  <TuplesReported>false</TuplesReported>
  <UnitCount>4</UnitCount>
  <MyReports>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R1.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>000 - Disclosure - Document And Entity Information</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.lithia.com/role/DocumentAndEntityInformation</Role>
      <ShortName>Document And Entity Information</ShortName>
      <XmlFileName>R1.xml</XmlFileName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>true</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R2.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>001 - Statement - Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.lithia.com/role/ConsolidatedBalanceSheet</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited)</ShortName>
      <XmlFileName>R2.xml</XmlFileName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R3.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>002 - Statement - Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) (Parentheticals)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.lithia.com/role/ConsolidatedBalanceSheet_Parentheticals</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) (Parentheticals)</ShortName>
      <XmlFileName>R3.xml</XmlFileName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R4.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>003 - Statement - Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.lithia.com/role/ConsolidatedIncomeStatement</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited)</ShortName>
      <XmlFileName>R4.xml</XmlFileName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R5.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>004 - Statement - Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.lithia.com/role/ConsolidatedComprehensiveIncome</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited)</ShortName>
      <XmlFileName>R5.xml</XmlFileName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R6.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>005 - Statement - Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited) (Parentheticals)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.lithia.com/role/ConsolidatedComprehensiveIncome_Parentheticals</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited) (Parentheticals)</ShortName>
      <XmlFileName>R6.xml</XmlFileName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R7.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>006 - Statement - Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.lithia.com/role/ConsolidatedCashFlow</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)</ShortName>
      <XmlFileName>R7.xml</XmlFileName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R8.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>007 - Disclosure - Note 1 - Interim Financial Statements</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.lithia.com/role/Note1InterimFinancialStatements</Role>
      <ShortName>Note 1 - Interim Financial Statements</ShortName>
      <XmlFileName>R8.xml</XmlFileName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R9.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>008 - Disclosure - Note 2 - Accounts Receivable</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.lithia.com/role/Note2AccountsReceivable</Role>
      <ShortName>Note 2 - Accounts Receivable</ShortName>
      <XmlFileName>R9.xml</XmlFileName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R10.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>009 - Disclosure - Note 3 - Inventories</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.lithia.com/role/Note3Inventories</Role>
      <ShortName>Note 3 - Inventories</ShortName>
      <XmlFileName>R10.xml</XmlFileName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R11.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>010 - Disclosure - Note 4 - Goodwill</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.lithia.com/role/Note4Goodwill</Role>
      <ShortName>Note 4 - Goodwill</ShortName>
      <XmlFileName>R11.xml</XmlFileName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R12.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>011 - Disclosure - Note 5 - Commitments and Contingencies</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.lithia.com/role/Note5CommitmentsandContingencies</Role>
      <ShortName>Note 5 - Commitments and Contingencies</ShortName>
      <XmlFileName>R12.xml</XmlFileName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R13.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>012 - Disclosure - Note 6 - Stockholders' Equity</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.lithia.com/role/Note6StockholdersEquity</Role>
      <ShortName>Note 6 - Stockholders' Equity</ShortName>
      <XmlFileName>R13.xml</XmlFileName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R14.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>013 - Disclosure - Note 7 - Deferred Compensation and Long-term Incentive Plans</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.lithia.com/role/Note7DeferredCompensationandLongtermIncentivePlans</Role>
      <ShortName>Note 7 - Deferred Compensation and Long-term Incentive Plans</ShortName>
      <XmlFileName>R14.xml</XmlFileName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R15.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>014 - Disclosure - Note 8 - Fair Value Measurements</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.lithia.com/role/Note8FairValueMeasurements</Role>
      <ShortName>Note 8 - Fair Value Measurements</ShortName>
      <XmlFileName>R15.xml</XmlFileName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R16.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>015 - Disclosure - Note 9 - Derivative Financial Instruments</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.lithia.com/role/Note9DerivativeFinancialInstruments</Role>
      <ShortName>Note 9 - Derivative Financial Instruments</ShortName>
      <XmlFileName>R16.xml</XmlFileName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R17.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>016 - Disclosure - Note 10 - Acquisitions</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.lithia.com/role/Note10Acquisitions</Role>
      <ShortName>Note 10 - Acquisitions</ShortName>
      <XmlFileName>R17.xml</XmlFileName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R18.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>017 - Disclosure - Note 11 - Discontinued Operations</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.lithia.com/role/Note11DiscontinuedOperations</Role>
      <ShortName>Note 11 - Discontinued Operations</ShortName>
      <XmlFileName>R18.xml</XmlFileName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R19.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>018 - Disclosure - Note 12 - Net Income Per Share of Class A and Class B Common Stock</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.lithia.com/role/Note12NetIncomePerShareofClassAandClassBCommonStock</Role>
      <ShortName>Note 12 - Net Income Per Share of Class A and Class B Common Stock</ShortName>
      <XmlFileName>R19.xml</XmlFileName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R20.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>019 - Disclosure - Note 13 - Subsequent Events</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.lithia.com/role/Note13SubsequentEvents</Role>
      <ShortName>Note 13 - Subsequent Events</ShortName>
      <XmlFileName>R20.xml</XmlFileName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R21.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>020 - Disclosure - Accounting Policies, by Policy (Policies)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.lithia.com/role/AccountingPoliciesByPolicy</Role>
      <ShortName>Accounting Policies, by Policy (Policies)</ShortName>
      <XmlFileName>R21.xml</XmlFileName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R22.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>021 - Disclosure - Note 2 - Accounts Receivable (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.lithia.com/role/Note2AccountsReceivableTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Note 2 - Accounts Receivable (Tables)</ShortName>
      <XmlFileName>R22.xml</XmlFileName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R23.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>022 - Disclosure - Note 3 - Inventories (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.lithia.com/role/Note3InventoriesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Note 3 - Inventories (Tables)</ShortName>
      <XmlFileName>R23.xml</XmlFileName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R24.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>023 - Disclosure - Note 4 - Goodwill (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.lithia.com/role/Note4GoodwillTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Note 4 - Goodwill (Tables)</ShortName>
      <XmlFileName>R24.xml</XmlFileName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R25.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>024 - Disclosure - Note 6 - Stockholders' Equity (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.lithia.com/role/Note6StockholdersEquityTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Note 6 - Stockholders' Equity (Tables)</ShortName>
      <XmlFileName>R25.xml</XmlFileName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R26.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>025 - Disclosure - Note 8 - Fair Value Measurements (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.lithia.com/role/Note8FairValueMeasurementsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Note 8 - Fair Value Measurements (Tables)</ShortName>
      <XmlFileName>R26.xml</XmlFileName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R27.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>026 - Disclosure - Note 9 - Derivative Financial Instruments (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.lithia.com/role/Note9DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Note 9 - Derivative Financial Instruments (Tables)</ShortName>
      <XmlFileName>R27.xml</XmlFileName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R28.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>027 - Disclosure - Note 10 - Acquisitions (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.lithia.com/role/Note10AcquisitionsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Note 10 - Acquisitions (Tables)</ShortName>
      <XmlFileName>R28.xml</XmlFileName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R29.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>028 - Disclosure - Note 11 - Discontinued Operations (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.lithia.com/role/Note11DiscontinuedOperationsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Note 11 - Discontinued Operations (Tables)</ShortName>
      <XmlFileName>R29.xml</XmlFileName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R30.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>029 - Disclosure - Note 12 - Net Income Per Share of Class A and Class B Common Stock (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.lithia.com/role/Note12NetIncomePerShareofClassAandClassBCommonStockTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Note 12 - Net Income Per Share of Class A and Class B Common Stock (Tables)</ShortName>
      <XmlFileName>R30.xml</XmlFileName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R31.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>031 - Disclosure - Note 2 - Accounts Receivable (Details) - Accounts Receivable</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.lithia.com/role/AccountsReceivableTable</Role>
      <ShortName>Note 2 - Accounts Receivable (Details) - Accounts Receivable</ShortName>
      <XmlFileName>R31.xml</XmlFileName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R32.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>032 - Disclosure - Note 3 - Inventories (Details) - Inventories</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.lithia.com/role/InventoriesTable</Role>
      <ShortName>Note 3 - Inventories (Details) - Inventories</ShortName>
      <XmlFileName>R32.xml</XmlFileName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R33.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>033 - Disclosure - Note 4 - Goodwill  (Details) - Goodwill</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.lithia.com/role/GoodwillTable</Role>
      <ShortName>Note 4 - Goodwill  (Details) - Goodwill</ShortName>
      <XmlFileName>R33.xml</XmlFileName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R34.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>034 - Disclosure - Note 5 - Commitments and Contingencies (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.lithia.com/role/Note5CommitmentsandContingenciesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Note 5 - Commitments and Contingencies (Details)</ShortName>
      <XmlFileName>R34.xml</XmlFileName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R35.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>035 - Disclosure - Note 6 - Stockholders' Equity (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.lithia.com/role/Note6StockholdersEquityDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Note 6 - Stockholders' Equity (Details)</ShortName>
      <XmlFileName>R35.xml</XmlFileName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R36.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>036 - Disclosure - Note 6 - Stockholders' Equity (Details) - Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.lithia.com/role/ReclassificationfromAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeTable</Role>
      <ShortName>Note 6 - Stockholders' Equity (Details) - Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income</ShortName>
      <XmlFileName>R36.xml</XmlFileName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R37.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>037 - Disclosure - Note 7 - Deferred Compensation and Long-term Incentive Plans (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.lithia.com/role/Note7DeferredCompensationandLongtermIncentivePlansDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Note 7 - Deferred Compensation and Long-term Incentive Plans (Details)</ShortName>
      <XmlFileName>R37.xml</XmlFileName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R38.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>038 - Disclosure - Note 8 - Fair Value Measurements (Details) - Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.lithia.com/role/AssetsandLiabilitiesMeasuredatFairValueTable</Role>
      <ShortName>Note 8 - Fair Value Measurements (Details) - Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value</ShortName>
      <XmlFileName>R38.xml</XmlFileName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R39.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>039 - Disclosure - Note 8 - Fair Value Measurements (Details) - Long-term Fixed Interest Rate Debt</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.lithia.com/role/LongtermFixedInterestRateDebtTable</Role>
      <ShortName>Note 8 - Fair Value Measurements (Details) - Long-term Fixed Interest Rate Debt</ShortName>
      <XmlFileName>R39.xml</XmlFileName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R40.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>040 - Disclosure - Note 9 - Derivative Financial Instruments (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.lithia.com/role/Note9DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Note 9 - Derivative Financial Instruments (Details)</ShortName>
      <XmlFileName>R40.xml</XmlFileName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R41.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>041 - Disclosure - Note 9 - Derivative Financial Instruments (Details) - Fair Value of Derivative Instruments in Consolidated Balance Sheets</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.lithia.com/role/FairValueofDerivativeInstrumentsinConsolidatedBalanceSheetsTable</Role>
      <ShortName>Note 9 - Derivative Financial Instruments (Details) - Fair Value of Derivative Instruments in Consolidated Balance Sheets</ShortName>
      <XmlFileName>R41.xml</XmlFileName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R42.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>042 - Disclosure - Note 9 - Derivative Financial Instruments (Details) - Effect of Derivative Instruments on Consolidated Statements of Operations</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.lithia.com/role/EffectofDerivativeInstrumentsonConsolidatedStatementsofOperationsTable</Role>
      <ShortName>Note 9 - Derivative Financial Instruments (Details) - Effect of Derivative Instruments on Consolidated Statements of Operations</ShortName>
      <XmlFileName>R42.xml</XmlFileName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R43.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>043 - Disclosure - Note 10 - Acquisitions (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.lithia.com/role/Note10AcquisitionsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Note 10 - Acquisitions (Details)</ShortName>
      <XmlFileName>R43.xml</XmlFileName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R44.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>044 - Disclosure - Note 10 - Acquisitions (Details) - Business Acquisition, Unaudited Pro Forma Summary</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.lithia.com/role/BusinessAcquisitionUnauditedProFormaSummaryTable</Role>
      <ShortName>Note 10 - Acquisitions (Details) - Business Acquisition, Unaudited Pro Forma Summary</ShortName>
      <XmlFileName>R44.xml</XmlFileName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R45.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>045 - Disclosure - Note 10 - Acquisitions (Details) - Summary of Acquisition</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.lithia.com/role/SummaryofAcquisitionTable</Role>
      <ShortName>Note 10 - Acquisitions (Details) - Summary of Acquisition</ShortName>
      <XmlFileName>R45.xml</XmlFileName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R46.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>046 - Disclosure - Note 11 - Discontinued Operations (Details) - Financial Information Related to Discontinued Operations</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.lithia.com/role/FinancialInformationRelatedtoDiscontinuedOperationsTable</Role>
      <ShortName>Note 11 - Discontinued Operations (Details) - Financial Information Related to Discontinued Operations</ShortName>
      <XmlFileName>R46.xml</XmlFileName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R47.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>047 - Disclosure - Note 11 - Discontinued Operations (Details) - Assets and Related Liabilities Held for Sale</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.lithia.com/role/AssetsandRelatedLiabilitiesHeldforSaleTable</Role>
      <ShortName>Note 11 - Discontinued Operations (Details) - Assets and Related Liabilities Held for Sale</ShortName>
      <XmlFileName>R47.xml</XmlFileName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R48.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>048 - Disclosure - Note 12 - Net Income Per Share of Class A and Class B Common Stock (Details) - Earnings Per Share Reconciliation</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.lithia.com/role/EarningsPerShareReconciliationTable</Role>
      <ShortName>Note 12 - Net Income Per Share of Class A and Class B Common Stock (Details) - Earnings Per Share Reconciliation</ShortName>
      <XmlFileName>R48.xml</XmlFileName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R49.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>049 - Disclosure - Note 13 - Subsequent Events (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.lithia.com/role/Note13SubsequentEventsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Note 13 - Subsequent Events (Details)</ShortName>
      <XmlFileName>R49.xml</XmlFileName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <LongName>All Reports</LongName>
      <ReportType>Book</ReportType>
      <ShortName>All Reports</ShortName>
    </Report>
  </MyReports>
  <Logs>
    <Log type="Info">'Monetary' elements on report '035 - Disclosure - Note 6 - Stockholders' Equity (Details)' had a mix of different decimal attribute values.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 001 - Statement - Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited)</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column 'Jun. 30, 2012'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column 'Dec. 31, 2011'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 002 - Statement - Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) (Parentheticals)</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 003 - Statement - Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited)</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 004 - Statement - Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited)</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 005 - Statement - Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited) (Parentheticals)</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 006 - Statement - Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)</Log>
  </Logs>
  <InputFiles>
    <File>lad-20130630.xml</File>
    <File>lad-20130630.xsd</File>
    <File>lad-20130630_cal.xml</File>
    <File>lad-20130630_def.xml</File>
    <File>lad-20130630_lab.xml</File>
    <File>lad-20130630_pre.xml</File>
  </InputFiles>
  <SupplementalFiles />
  <BaseTaxonomies />
  <HasPresentationLinkbase>true</HasPresentationLinkbase>
  <HasCalculationLinkbase>true</HasCalculationLinkbase>
</FilingSummary>
