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ORGANIZATION AND DESCRIPTION OF THE BUSINESS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT PRESENTATION (Acquisitions) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands						1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 29, 2017	Dec. 30, 2016	Sep. 02, 2016	Dec. 01, 2015	Jan. 02, 2015	Jan. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Acquisitions
Net cash consideration								$ 24,780	$ 29,813
Divestitures
Proceeds from sale of subsidiaries							$ 2,490	$ 2,780
ArcBest
Divestitures
Value of divested subsidiaries	$ 5,200	$ 4,800
Proceeds from sale of subsidiaries	500	2,800
Contingent consideration	$ 4,700	$ 2,000
LDS | Subsequent Event
Acquisitions
Contingent consideration paid						$ 3,500
LDS | ArcBest
Acquisitions
Total consideration			$ 25,000
Cash consideration			17,000
Contingent consideration			$ 8,000
Contingent consideration period			2 years
Bear Transportation Services, L.P. | ArcBest
Acquisitions
Net cash consideration				$ 24,400
Smart Lines Transportation Group, LLC | ArcBest
Acquisitions
Net cash consideration					$ 5,200

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Amount of consideration transferred, consisting of acquisition-date fair value of assets transferred by the acquirer, liabilities incurred by the acquirer, and equity interest issued by the acquirer.

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