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Document And Entity Information (USD $)
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2013
Jun. 30, 2013
Feb. 21, 2014
Common Class A [Member]
Feb. 21, 2014
Common Class B [Member]
Document Information [Line Items]        
Entity Registrant Name LITHIA MOTORS INC      
Document Type 10-K      
Current Fiscal Year End Date --12-31      
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding     23,354,548 2,562,231
Entity Public Float   $ 1,240,097,000    
Amendment Flag false      
Entity Central Index Key 0001023128      
Entity Current Reporting Status Yes      
Entity Voluntary Filers No      
Entity Filer Category Large Accelerated Filer      
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer Yes      
Document Period End Date Dec. 31, 2013      
Document Fiscal Year Focus 2013      
Document Fiscal Period Focus FY