Forward Air Corporation Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

Shareholders' Equity (Details)

Shareholders' Equity (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended							9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Feb. 05, 2019	Jul. 21, 2016
Shareholders' Equity [Line Items]
Dividends per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.18	$ 0.18	$ 0.18		$ 0.15	$ 0.15	$ 0.15	$ 0.54	$ 0.45
Stock Repurchased and Retired During Period, Shares	152				267			789	765
Stock Repurchased and Retired During Period, In Total Dollars	$ 9,289				$ 16,820			$ 47,906	$ 44,985
Repurchase of Common Stock, Average Cost Per Share	$ 61.01				$ 62.89			$ 60.72	$ 58.83
Stock Repurchase Program, Remaining Number of Shares Authorized to be Repurchased	4,279							4,279
Common Stock [Member]
Shareholders' Equity [Line Items]
Dividends per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.18	$ 0.18	$ 0.18	$ 0.18	$ 0.15	$ 0.15	$ 0.15
2016 Stock Repurchase Plan [Member]
Shareholders' Equity [Line Items]
Stock Repurchase Program, Number of Shares Authorized to be Repurchased											3,000
Stock Repurchased and Retired During Period, Shares					267			68	765
Stock Repurchased and Retired During Period, In Total Dollars					$ 16,820			$ 3,850	$ 44,985
Repurchase of Common Stock, Average Cost Per Share					$ 62.89			$ 56.97	$ 58.83
2019 Stock Repurchase Plan [Member]
Shareholders' Equity [Line Items]
Stock Repurchase Program, Number of Shares Authorized to be Repurchased										5,000
Stock Repurchased and Retired During Period, Shares	152							721
Stock Repurchased and Retired During Period, In Total Dollars	$ 9,289							$ 44,056
Repurchase of Common Stock, Average Cost Per Share	$ 61.01							$ 61.07