Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Acquisitions, Goodwill and Other Long-Lived Assets (Details)

v2.4.1.9
Acquisitions, Goodwill and Other Long-Lived Assets (Details) (USD $)
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified
3 Months Ended 12 Months Ended 10 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
Sep. 30, 2014
Jun. 30, 2014
Mar. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Sep. 30, 2013
Jun. 30, 2013
Mar. 31, 2013
Dec. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Dec. 31, 2012
Dec. 31, 2013
Feb. 04, 2015
Nov. 30, 2014
Feb. 02, 2014
Mar. 04, 2013
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]                                
Goodwill, Net $ 144,412us-gaap_Goodwill       $ 88,496us-gaap_Goodwill       $ 144,412us-gaap_Goodwill $ 88,496us-gaap_Goodwill   $ 88,496us-gaap_Goodwill        
Payments to Acquire Businesses, Net of Cash Acquired                 90,172us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireBusinessesNetOfCashAcquired 45,328us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireBusinessesNetOfCashAcquired 0us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireBusinessesNetOfCashAcquired          
Escrow Deposit                         16,500us-gaap_EscrowDeposit      
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Income Tax Penalties Accrued 170us-gaap_UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsIncomeTaxPenaltiesAccrued       277us-gaap_UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsIncomeTaxPenaltiesAccrued       170us-gaap_UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsIncomeTaxPenaltiesAccrued 277us-gaap_UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsIncomeTaxPenaltiesAccrued   277us-gaap_UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsIncomeTaxPenaltiesAccrued        
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Interest on Income Taxes Accrued 414us-gaap_UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsInterestOnIncomeTaxesAccrued       299us-gaap_UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsInterestOnIncomeTaxesAccrued       414us-gaap_UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsInterestOnIncomeTaxesAccrued 299us-gaap_UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsInterestOnIncomeTaxesAccrued   299us-gaap_UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsInterestOnIncomeTaxesAccrued        
Operating Income (Loss) 25,634us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss 26,906us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss 27,595us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss 16,271us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss 23,203us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss 22,857us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss 22,505us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss 15,790us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss 96,406us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss 84,355us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss 83,532us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss          
Net income (loss) 17,045us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss 16,744us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss 17,178us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss 10,202us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss 15,584us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss 14,197us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss 13,831us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss 10,855us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss 61,169us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss 54,467us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss 52,668us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss          
Basic (in dollars per share) $ 0.56us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasic $ 0.55us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasic $ 0.56us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasic $ 0.33us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasic $ 0.51us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasic $ 0.47us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasic $ 0.46us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasic $ 0.37us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasic $ 1.99us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasic $ 1.81us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasic $ 1.82us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasic          
Diluted (in dollars per share) $ 0.55us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDiluted $ 0.54us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDiluted $ 0.55us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDiluted $ 0.33us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDiluted $ 0.50us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDiluted $ 0.46us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDiluted $ 0.45us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDiluted $ 0.36us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDiluted $ 1.96us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDiluted $ 1.77us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDiluted $ 1.78us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDiluted          
Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Revenue                 786,048us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionsProFormaRevenue 710,107us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionsProFormaRevenue            
Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Changes in Accounting and Extraordinary Items, Net of Tax                 96,596us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionsProFormaIncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeChangesInAccountingAndExtraordinaryItemsNetOfTax 91,215us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionsProFormaIncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeChangesInAccountingAndExtraordinaryItemsNetOfTax            
Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Net Income (Loss)                 61,286us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionsProFormaNetIncomeLoss 58,713us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionsProFormaNetIncomeLoss            
Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Earnings Per Share, Basic                 $ 2.00us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionProFormaEarningsPerShareBasic $ 1.95us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionProFormaEarningsPerShareBasic            
Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Earnings Per Share, Diluted                 $ 1.97us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionProFormaEarningsPerShareDiluted $ 1.91us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionProFormaEarningsPerShareDiluted            
Forward Air [Member]                                
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]                                
Goodwill, Net 93,842us-gaap_Goodwill
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= fwrd_ForwardAirMember
      37,926us-gaap_Goodwill
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= fwrd_ForwardAirMember
      93,842us-gaap_Goodwill
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= fwrd_ForwardAirMember
37,926us-gaap_Goodwill
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= fwrd_ForwardAirMember
  37,926us-gaap_Goodwill
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= fwrd_ForwardAirMember
       
Net income (loss)                 53,985us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= fwrd_ForwardAirMember
51,251us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= fwrd_ForwardAirMember
51,127us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= fwrd_ForwardAirMember
         
FASI [Member]                                
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]                                
Goodwill, Net 12,359us-gaap_Goodwill
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= fwrd_FasiMember
      12,359us-gaap_Goodwill
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= fwrd_FasiMember
      12,359us-gaap_Goodwill
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= fwrd_FasiMember
12,359us-gaap_Goodwill
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= fwrd_FasiMember
  12,359us-gaap_Goodwill
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= fwrd_FasiMember
       
Net income (loss)                 3,790us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= fwrd_FasiMember
1,255us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= fwrd_FasiMember
1,541us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= fwrd_FasiMember
         
TQI [Member]                                
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]                                
Net income (loss)                 3,394us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= fwrd_TQIMember
1,961us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= fwrd_TQIMember
           
RGL and MMT [Member]                                
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]                                
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Other Noncurrent Assets                           287us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedPropertyPlantAndEquipment
/ fwrd_ForwardAirCorp.SubsidiariesAxis
= fwrd_RGLandMMTMember
   
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Total Liabilities Assumed, Total Tangible Assets                           287fwrd_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredandTotalLiabilitiesAssumedTotalTangibleAssets
/ fwrd_ForwardAirCorp.SubsidiariesAxis
= fwrd_RGLandMMTMember
   
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Finite-Lived Intangibles                           7,888us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedIntangibles
/ fwrd_ForwardAirCorp.SubsidiariesAxis
= fwrd_RGLandMMTMember
   
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Current Liabilities                           1,000us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedCurrentLiabilities
/ fwrd_ForwardAirCorp.SubsidiariesAxis
= fwrd_RGLandMMTMember
   
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Liabilities                           1,000us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedLiabilities
/ fwrd_ForwardAirCorp.SubsidiariesAxis
= fwrd_RGLandMMTMember
   
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Net Assets                           8,175us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedAssets
/ fwrd_ForwardAirCorp.SubsidiariesAxis
= fwrd_RGLandMMTMember
   
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Total Liabilities Assumed, Net Total Assets                           7,175fwrd_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredandTotalLiabilitiesAssumedNetTotalAssets
/ fwrd_ForwardAirCorp.SubsidiariesAxis
= fwrd_RGLandMMTMember
   
RGL and MMT [Member] | Noncompete Agreements [Member]                                
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]                                
Acquired Finite-lived Intangible Assets, Weighted Average Useful Life                 5 years              
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Intangible Assets, Other than Goodwill                           92us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedIntangibleAssetsOtherThanGoodwill
/ us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= us-gaap_NoncompeteAgreementsMember
/ fwrd_ForwardAirCorp.SubsidiariesAxis
= fwrd_RGLandMMTMember
   
RGL and MMT [Member] | Customer Relationships [Member]                                
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]                                
Acquired Finite-lived Intangible Assets, Weighted Average Useful Life                 15 years              
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Intangible Assets, Other than Goodwill                           3,590us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedIntangibleAssetsOtherThanGoodwill
/ us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= us-gaap_CustomerRelationshipsMember
/ fwrd_ForwardAirCorp.SubsidiariesAxis
= fwrd_RGLandMMTMember
   
RGL and MMT [Member] | Goodwill [Member]                                
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]                                
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Finite-Lived Intangibles                           4,206us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedIntangibles
/ us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= us-gaap_GoodwillMember
/ fwrd_ForwardAirCorp.SubsidiariesAxis
= fwrd_RGLandMMTMember
   
MMT [Member]                                
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]                                
Business Acquisition, Cash Paid                           5,825fwrd_BusinessAcquisitionCashPaid
/ fwrd_ForwardAirCorp.SubsidiariesAxis
= fwrd_MMTMember
   
Business Combination, Contingent Consideration Arrangements, Range of Outcomes, Value, High                           1,000us-gaap_BusinessCombinationContingentConsiderationArrangementsRangeOfOutcomesValueHigh
/ fwrd_ForwardAirCorp.SubsidiariesAxis
= fwrd_MMTMember
   
RGL [Member]                                
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]                                
Business Acquisition, Cash Paid   1,350fwrd_BusinessAcquisitionCashPaid
/ fwrd_ForwardAirCorp.SubsidiariesAxis
= fwrd_RGLMember
                           
CST [Member]                                
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]                                
Logistics revenue                 52,061fwrd_LogisticsRevenue
/ fwrd_ForwardAirCorp.SubsidiariesAxis
= fwrd_CSTMember
             
Other revenues                 20,253us-gaap_RevenueOtherFinancialServices
/ fwrd_ForwardAirCorp.SubsidiariesAxis
= fwrd_CSTMember
             
Business Acquisition, Cash Paid                             82,998fwrd_BusinessAcquisitionCashPaid
/ fwrd_ForwardAirCorp.SubsidiariesAxis
= fwrd_CSTMember
 
Noncash or Part Noncash Acquisition, Debt Assumed       11,215us-gaap_NoncashOrPartNoncashAcquisitionDebtAssumed1
/ fwrd_ForwardAirCorp.SubsidiariesAxis
= fwrd_CSTMember
                       
Escrow Deposit                             10,000us-gaap_EscrowDeposit
/ fwrd_ForwardAirCorp.SubsidiariesAxis
= fwrd_CSTMember
 
Business Combination, Acquired Receivables, Gross Contractual Amount                             9,339us-gaap_BusinessCombinationAcquiredReceivablesGrossContractualAmount
/ fwrd_ForwardAirCorp.SubsidiariesAxis
= fwrd_CSTMember
 
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Property, Plant, and Equipment                             101us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedCurrentAssetsPrepaidExpenseAndOtherAssets
/ fwrd_ForwardAirCorp.SubsidiariesAxis
= fwrd_CSTMember
 
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Other Noncurrent Assets                             2,132us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedPropertyPlantAndEquipment
/ fwrd_ForwardAirCorp.SubsidiariesAxis
= fwrd_CSTMember
 
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Deferred Tax Assets                             35us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedOtherNoncurrentAssets
/ fwrd_ForwardAirCorp.SubsidiariesAxis
= fwrd_CSTMember
 
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Total Liabilities Assumed, Total Tangible Assets                             11,607fwrd_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredandTotalLiabilitiesAssumedTotalTangibleAssets
/ fwrd_ForwardAirCorp.SubsidiariesAxis
= fwrd_CSTMember
 
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Finite-Lived Intangibles                             89,140us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedIntangibles
/ fwrd_ForwardAirCorp.SubsidiariesAxis
= fwrd_CSTMember
 
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Current Liabilities                             6,535us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedCurrentLiabilities
/ fwrd_ForwardAirCorp.SubsidiariesAxis
= fwrd_CSTMember
 
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Noncurrent Liabilities, Long-term Debt                             11,215us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedNoncurrentLiabilitiesLongTermDebt
/ fwrd_ForwardAirCorp.SubsidiariesAxis
= fwrd_CSTMember
 
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Liabilities                             17,750us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedLiabilities
/ fwrd_ForwardAirCorp.SubsidiariesAxis
= fwrd_CSTMember
 
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Net Assets                             100,747us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedAssets
/ fwrd_ForwardAirCorp.SubsidiariesAxis
= fwrd_CSTMember
 
Operating Income (Loss)                 7,525us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss
/ fwrd_ForwardAirCorp.SubsidiariesAxis
= fwrd_CSTMember
             
Net income (loss)                 4,586us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss
/ fwrd_ForwardAirCorp.SubsidiariesAxis
= fwrd_CSTMember
             
Basic (in dollars per share)                 $ 0.15us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasic
/ fwrd_ForwardAirCorp.SubsidiariesAxis
= fwrd_CSTMember
             
Diluted (in dollars per share)                 $ 0.15us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDiluted
/ fwrd_ForwardAirCorp.SubsidiariesAxis
= fwrd_CSTMember
             
Business Acquisition, Transaction Costs   900us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionCostOfAcquiredEntityTransactionCosts
/ fwrd_ForwardAirCorp.SubsidiariesAxis
= fwrd_CSTMember
                           
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Total Liabilities Assumed, Net Total Assets                             82,997fwrd_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredandTotalLiabilitiesAssumedNetTotalAssets
/ fwrd_ForwardAirCorp.SubsidiariesAxis
= fwrd_CSTMember
 
CST [Member] | Noncompete Agreements [Member]                                
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]                                
Acquired Finite-lived Intangible Assets, Weighted Average Useful Life                 5 years              
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Intangible Assets, Other than Goodwill                             930us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedIntangibleAssetsOtherThanGoodwill
/ us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= us-gaap_NoncompeteAgreementsMember
/ fwrd_ForwardAirCorp.SubsidiariesAxis
= fwrd_CSTMember
 
CST [Member] | Trade Names [Member]                                
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]                                
Acquired Finite-lived Intangible Assets, Weighted Average Useful Life                 2 years              
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Intangible Assets, Other than Goodwill                             500us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedIntangibleAssetsOtherThanGoodwill
/ us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= us-gaap_TradeNamesMember
/ fwrd_ForwardAirCorp.SubsidiariesAxis
= fwrd_CSTMember
 
CST [Member] | Customer Relationships [Member]                                
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]                                
Acquired Finite-lived Intangible Assets, Weighted Average Useful Life                 15 years              
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Intangible Assets, Other than Goodwill                             36,000us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedIntangibleAssetsOtherThanGoodwill
/ us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= us-gaap_CustomerRelationshipsMember
/ fwrd_ForwardAirCorp.SubsidiariesAxis
= fwrd_CSTMember
 
CST [Member] | Goodwill [Member]                                
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]                                
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Finite-Lived Intangibles                             51,710us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedIntangibles
/ us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= us-gaap_GoodwillMember
/ fwrd_ForwardAirCorp.SubsidiariesAxis
= fwrd_CSTMember
 
TQI [Member]                                
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]                                
Logistics revenue                       41,842fwrd_LogisticsRevenue
/ fwrd_ForwardAirCorp.SubsidiariesAxis
= fwrd_TQIMember
       
Business Acquisition, Percentage of Voting Interests Acquired                               100.00%us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionPercentageOfVotingInterestsAcquired
/ fwrd_ForwardAirCorp.SubsidiariesAxis
= fwrd_TQIMember
Goodwill, Net 45,164us-gaap_Goodwill
/ fwrd_ForwardAirCorp.SubsidiariesAxis
= fwrd_TQIMember
      45,164us-gaap_Goodwill
/ fwrd_ForwardAirCorp.SubsidiariesAxis
= fwrd_TQIMember
      45,164us-gaap_Goodwill
/ fwrd_ForwardAirCorp.SubsidiariesAxis
= fwrd_TQIMember
45,164us-gaap_Goodwill
/ fwrd_ForwardAirCorp.SubsidiariesAxis
= fwrd_TQIMember
  45,164us-gaap_Goodwill
/ fwrd_ForwardAirCorp.SubsidiariesAxis
= fwrd_TQIMember
       
Business Acquisition, Cash Paid                               45,328fwrd_BusinessAcquisitionCashPaid
/ fwrd_ForwardAirCorp.SubsidiariesAxis
= fwrd_TQIMember
Noncash or Part Noncash Acquisition, Debt Assumed                 20,113us-gaap_NoncashOrPartNoncashAcquisitionDebtAssumed1
/ fwrd_ForwardAirCorp.SubsidiariesAxis
= fwrd_TQIMember
             
Business Combination, Contingent Consideration, Liability 0us-gaap_BusinessCombinationContingentConsiderationLiability
/ fwrd_ForwardAirCorp.SubsidiariesAxis
= fwrd_TQIMember
              0us-gaap_BusinessCombinationContingentConsiderationLiability
/ fwrd_ForwardAirCorp.SubsidiariesAxis
= fwrd_TQIMember
            615us-gaap_BusinessCombinationContingentConsiderationLiability
/ fwrd_ForwardAirCorp.SubsidiariesAxis
= fwrd_TQIMember
Escrow Deposit                               4,500us-gaap_EscrowDeposit
/ fwrd_ForwardAirCorp.SubsidiariesAxis
= fwrd_TQIMember
Business Combination, Contingent Consideration Arrangements, Range of Outcomes, Value, Low                               0us-gaap_BusinessCombinationContingentConsiderationArrangementsRangeOfOutcomesValueLow
/ fwrd_ForwardAirCorp.SubsidiariesAxis
= fwrd_TQIMember
Business Combination, Contingent Consideration Arrangements, Range of Outcomes, Value, High                               5,000us-gaap_BusinessCombinationContingentConsiderationArrangementsRangeOfOutcomesValueHigh
/ fwrd_ForwardAirCorp.SubsidiariesAxis
= fwrd_TQIMember
Fair Value Inputs, Discount Rate                 10.90%us-gaap_FairValueInputsDiscountRate
/ fwrd_ForwardAirCorp.SubsidiariesAxis
= fwrd_TQIMember
             
Business Combination, Acquisition Related Costs                 943us-gaap_BusinessCombinationAcquisitionRelatedCosts
/ fwrd_ForwardAirCorp.SubsidiariesAxis
= fwrd_TQIMember
             
Business Combination, Acquired Receivables, Gross Contractual Amount                               5,639us-gaap_BusinessCombinationAcquiredReceivablesGrossContractualAmount
/ fwrd_ForwardAirCorp.SubsidiariesAxis
= fwrd_TQIMember
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Property, Plant, and Equipment                               1,093us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedCurrentAssetsPrepaidExpenseAndOtherAssets
/ fwrd_ForwardAirCorp.SubsidiariesAxis
= fwrd_TQIMember
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Other Noncurrent Assets                               5,103us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedPropertyPlantAndEquipment
/ fwrd_ForwardAirCorp.SubsidiariesAxis
= fwrd_TQIMember
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Deferred Tax Assets                               728us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedOtherNoncurrentAssets
/ fwrd_ForwardAirCorp.SubsidiariesAxis
= fwrd_TQIMember
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Deferred Tax Assets                               947fwrd_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredandLiabilitiesAssumedDeferredTaxAssets
/ fwrd_ForwardAirCorp.SubsidiariesAxis
= fwrd_TQIMember
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Total Liabilities Assumed, Total Tangible Assets                               13,510fwrd_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredandTotalLiabilitiesAssumedTotalTangibleAssets
/ fwrd_ForwardAirCorp.SubsidiariesAxis
= fwrd_TQIMember
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Finite-Lived Intangibles                               68,934us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedIntangibles
/ fwrd_ForwardAirCorp.SubsidiariesAxis
= fwrd_TQIMember
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Current Liabilities                               4,725us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedCurrentLiabilities
/ fwrd_ForwardAirCorp.SubsidiariesAxis
= fwrd_TQIMember
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Noncurrent Liabilities, Other                               1,735us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedNoncurrentLiabilitiesOther
/ fwrd_ForwardAirCorp.SubsidiariesAxis
= fwrd_TQIMember
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Noncurrent Liabilities, Long-term Debt                               20,113us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedNoncurrentLiabilitiesLongTermDebt
/ fwrd_ForwardAirCorp.SubsidiariesAxis
= fwrd_TQIMember
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Deferred Tax Liabilities                               10,543fwrd_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredandLiabilitiesAssumedDeferredTaxLiabilities
/ fwrd_ForwardAirCorp.SubsidiariesAxis
= fwrd_TQIMember
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Liabilities                               37,116us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedLiabilities
/ fwrd_ForwardAirCorp.SubsidiariesAxis
= fwrd_TQIMember
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Net Assets                               82,444us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedAssets
/ fwrd_ForwardAirCorp.SubsidiariesAxis
= fwrd_TQIMember
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Increase Resulting from Acquisition                 1,120us-gaap_UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsIncreasesResultingFromAcquisition
/ fwrd_ForwardAirCorp.SubsidiariesAxis
= fwrd_TQIMember
             
Unrecognized Tax Benefits that Would Impact Effective Tax Rate                               853us-gaap_UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsThatWouldImpactEffectiveTaxRate
/ fwrd_ForwardAirCorp.SubsidiariesAxis
= fwrd_TQIMember
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Income Tax Penalties Accrued                               174us-gaap_UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsIncomeTaxPenaltiesAccrued
/ fwrd_ForwardAirCorp.SubsidiariesAxis
= fwrd_TQIMember
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Interest on Income Taxes Accrued                               93us-gaap_UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsInterestOnIncomeTaxesAccrued
/ fwrd_ForwardAirCorp.SubsidiariesAxis
= fwrd_TQIMember
Business Combination, Indemnification Assets, Amount as of Acquisition Date                               728us-gaap_BusinessCombinationIndemnificationAssetsAmountAsOfAcquisitionDate
/ fwrd_ForwardAirCorp.SubsidiariesAxis
= fwrd_TQIMember
Operating Income (Loss)                       3,600us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss
/ fwrd_ForwardAirCorp.SubsidiariesAxis
= fwrd_TQIMember
       
Net income (loss)                       1,961us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss
/ fwrd_ForwardAirCorp.SubsidiariesAxis
= fwrd_TQIMember
       
Basic (in dollars per share)                       $ 0.07us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasic
/ fwrd_ForwardAirCorp.SubsidiariesAxis
= fwrd_TQIMember
       
Diluted (in dollars per share)                       $ 0.06us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDiluted
/ fwrd_ForwardAirCorp.SubsidiariesAxis
= fwrd_TQIMember
       
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Total Liabilities Assumed, Net Total Assets                               45,328fwrd_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredandTotalLiabilitiesAssumedNetTotalAssets
/ fwrd_ForwardAirCorp.SubsidiariesAxis
= fwrd_TQIMember
TQI [Member] | Noncompete Agreements [Member]                                
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]                                
Acquired Finite-lived Intangible Assets, Weighted Average Useful Life                 5 years              
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Intangible Assets, Other than Goodwill                               470us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedIntangibleAssetsOtherThanGoodwill
/ us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= us-gaap_NoncompeteAgreementsMember
/ fwrd_ForwardAirCorp.SubsidiariesAxis
= fwrd_TQIMember
TQI [Member] | Trade Names [Member]                                
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]                                
Acquired Finite-lived Intangible Assets, Weighted Average Useful Life                 5 years              
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Intangible Assets, Other than Goodwill                               1,000us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedIntangibleAssetsOtherThanGoodwill
/ us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= us-gaap_TradeNamesMember
/ fwrd_ForwardAirCorp.SubsidiariesAxis
= fwrd_TQIMember
TQI [Member] | Customer Relationships [Member]                                
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]                                
Acquired Finite-lived Intangible Assets, Weighted Average Useful Life                 15 years              
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Intangible Assets, Other than Goodwill                               22,300us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedIntangibleAssetsOtherThanGoodwill
/ us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= us-gaap_CustomerRelationshipsMember
/ fwrd_ForwardAirCorp.SubsidiariesAxis
= fwrd_TQIMember
TQI [Member] | Goodwill [Member]                                
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]                                
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Finite-Lived Intangibles                               $ 45,164us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedIntangibles
/ us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= us-gaap_GoodwillMember
/ fwrd_ForwardAirCorp.SubsidiariesAxis
= fwrd_TQIMember