ACQUISITIONS - Pro Forma Summary of All Acquisitions (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2023	Jun. 30, 2022	Jun. 30, 2023	Jun. 30, 2022
Business Combination and Asset Acquisition [Abstract]
Revenue	$ 8,400.0	$ 8,147.1	$ 16,116.9	$ 15,695.7
Net income attributable to Lithia Motors, Inc.	$ 314.5	$ 363.2	$ 567.9	$ 732.7
Basic earnings attributable to Lithia Motors, Inc. per share (in dollars per share)	$ 11.42	$ 12.79	$ 20.64	$ 25.29
Diluted earnings attributable to Lithia Motors, Inc. per share (in dollars per share)	$ 11.41	$ 12.71	$ 20.60	$ 25.17

The pro forma basic net income per share for a period as if the business combination or combinations had been completed at the beginning of a period.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (h)(2)
-SubTopic 10
-Topic 805
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org//1943274/2147479328/805-10-50-2

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (h)(3)
-SubTopic 10
-Topic 805
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org//1943274/2147479328/805-10-50-2

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionProFormaEarningsPerShareBasic
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	dtr-types:perShareItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The pro forma diluted net income per share for a period as if the business combination or combinations had been completed at the beginning of a period.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionProFormaEarningsPerShareDiluted
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	dtr-types:perShareItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The pro forma net Income or Loss for the period as if the business combination or combinations had been completed at the beginning of a period.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Topic 805
-SubTopic 10
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (h)(2)
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org//1943274/2147479328/805-10-50-2

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Topic 805
-SubTopic 10
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (h)(3)
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org//1943274/2147479328/805-10-50-2

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionsProFormaNetIncomeLoss
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The pro forma revenue for a period as if the business combination or combinations had been completed at the beginning of the period.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionsProFormaRevenue
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_BusinessCombinationAndAssetAcquisitionAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration