Segment Reporting [Abstract] Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment [Table Text Block] Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment [Table Text Block] Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract] Effective Tax Rate Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Percent Retirement Benefits [Abstract] Employee Benefits Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Disclosure [Text Block] Debt Disclosure [Abstract] Debt and Financing Debt Disclosure [Text Block] Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract] Operating Revenue Sales Revenue, Services, Net Operating Expenses: Operating Expenses [Abstract] Salaries, wages and employee benefits Labor and Related Expense Fuel, operating expenses and supplies Cost of Services, Direct Materials Purchased transportation Purchased Transportation Costs incurred related to the purchase of services (road and rail) from third-party transportation providers and independent contractors in direct support of shipping and logistics services. Depreciation and amortization Cost of Services, Depreciation and Amortization Other operating expenses Other Cost and Expense, Operating Losses on property disposals, net Gain (Loss) on Disposition of Property Plant Equipment Total operating expenses Operating Expenses Operating Income (Loss) Operating Income (Loss) Nonoperating Expenses: Nonoperating Income (Expense) [Abstract] Interest expense Interest Expense Non-union pension and postretirement benefits Non Union Pension And Postretirement Benefits Non Union Pension And Postretirement Benefits Other, net Other Nonoperating Income (Expense) Nonoperating expenses, net Nonoperating Income (Expense) Loss before income taxes Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes, Noncontrolling Interest Income tax benefit Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Net Loss Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Other comprehensive income, net of tax Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax Comprehensive Loss Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Average Common Shares Outstanding – Basic (in shares) Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Basic Average Common Shares Outstanding – Diluted (in shares) Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted Basic and Diluted Loss Per Share Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted [Abstract] Income (loss) Per Share – Basic (in dollars per share) Earnings Per Share, Basic Income (loss) Per Share – Diluted (in dollars per share) Earnings Per Share, Diluted Document And Entity Information [Abstract] Document and Entity Information [Abstract] Document Type Document Type Amendment Flag Amendment Flag Document Period End Date Document Period End Date Document Fiscal Year Focus Document Fiscal Year Focus Document Fiscal Period Focus Document Fiscal Period Focus Entity Registrant Name Entity Registrant Name Entity Central Index Key Entity Central Index Key Current Fiscal Year End Date Current Fiscal Year End Date Entity Filer Category Entity Filer Category Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding Income Taxes Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block] Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment [Table] Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment [Table] Consolidation Items [Axis] Consolidation Items [Axis] Consolidation Items [Domain] Consolidation Items [Domain] Operating Segments Operating Segments [Member] Corporate/ Eliminations Consolidation, Eliminations [Member] Business Segments [Axis] Segments [Axis] Segment [Domain] Segments [Domain] YRC Freight YRC Freight [Member] YRC Freight [Member] Regional Transportation Regional Transportation [Member] Regional Transportation [Member] Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] Identifiable assets Assets External revenue Operating income (loss) Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract] Commitments, Contingencies and Uncertainties Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block] Statement of Stockholders' Equity [Abstract] Statement [Table] Statement [Table] Equity Components [Axis] Equity Components [Axis] Equity Component [Domain] Equity Component [Domain] Preferred Stock: Preferred Stock [Member] Common Stock: Common Stock [Member] Capital Surplus: Additional Paid-in Capital [Member] Accumulated Deficit: Retained Earnings [Member] Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss: AOCI Attributable to Parent [Member] Reclassification of prior net pension actuarial losses, net of tax Accumulated Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment Attributable to Parent [Member] Reclassification of prior service credit, net of tax Accumulated Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment, Net Prior Service Attributable to Parent [Member] Foreign currency translation adjustments Accumulated Foreign Currency Adjustment Attributable to Parent [Member] Treasury Stock, At Cost: Treasury Stock [Member] Statement [Line Items] Statement [Line Items] Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward] Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward] Beginning balance Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Equity-based compensation Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Share-based Compensation, Requisite Service Period Recognition Net loss Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent Change in other comprehensive income Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Portion Attributable to Parent Ending balance Schedule of Operating Leased Assets [Table] Schedule of Operating Leased Assets [Table] Property, Plant and Equipment, Type [Axis] Property, Plant and Equipment, Type [Axis] Property, Plant and Equipment, Type [Domain] Property, Plant and Equipment, Type [Domain] Revenue Equipment [Member] Revenue Equipment [Member] Revenue Equipment Operating Leased Assets [Line Items] Operating Leased Assets [Line Items] Operating leases, future minimum payments due Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due Operating lease term Lessee, Operating Lease, Term of Contract Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract] Reclassifications out of Accumulated Comprehensive loss [Table] Reclassifications out of Accumulated Comprehensive loss [Table] Reclassifications out of Accumulated Comprehensive loss [Table] AOCI Attributable to Parent [Member] Adjustments for New Accounting Pronouncements [Axis] Adjustments for New Accounting Pronouncements [Axis] Type of Adoption [Domain] Type of Adoption [Domain] Accounting Standards Update 2017-07 [Member] Accounting Standards Update 2017-07 [Member] Accounting Standards Update 2017-07 [Member] Accounting Standards Update 2016-09 [Member] Accounting Standards Update 2016-09 [Member] Reclassifications out of Accumulated Comprehensive loss [Line Items] Reclassifications out of Accumulated Comprehensive loss [Line Items] [Line Items] for Reclassifications out of Accumulated Comprehensive loss [Table] Salaries, wages and employee benefits Salaries Wages And Employee Benefits Salaries Wages And Employee Benefits Change in other operating liabilities Increase (Decrease) in Other Operating Liabilities Reclassification adjustment from AOCI, after tax Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Defined Benefit Plan, Gain (Loss), Reclassification Adjustment from AOCI, after Tax Payments for tax withheld on equity-based compensation Payments Related to Tax Withholding for Share-based Compensation Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring [Table] Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring [Table] Fair Value, by Balance Sheet Grouping, Disclosure Item Amounts [Axis] Measurement Basis [Axis] Fair Value Measurement [Domain] Fair Value Measurement [Domain] Portion at Fair Value Measurement [Member] Portion at Fair Value Measurement [Member] Carrying (Reported) Amount, Fair Value Disclosure [Member] Reported Value Measurement [Member] Measurement Frequency [Axis] Measurement Frequency [Axis] Fair Value, Measurement Frequency [Domain] Fair Value, Measurement Frequency [Domain] Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] Fair Value, Hierarchy [Axis] Fair Value, Hierarchy [Axis] Fair Value, Measurements, Fair Value Hierarchy [Domain] Fair Value Hierarchy [Domain] Quoted prices in active market (Level 1) Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] Restricted amounts held in escrow-current Restricted Amounts Held In Escrow, Current, Fair Value Disclosure Restricted Amounts Held In Escrow, Current, Fair Value Disclosure Total assets at fair value Assets, Fair Value Disclosure Schedule of Long-term Debt Instruments [Table] Schedule of Long-term Debt Instruments [Table] Range [Axis] Range [Axis] Range [Domain] Range [Domain] Minimum [Member] Minimum [Member] Maximum [Member] Maximum [Member] Variable Rate [Axis] Variable Rate [Axis] Variable Rate [Domain] Variable Rate [Domain] London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member] Credit Facility [Axis] Credit Facility [Axis] Credit Facility [Domain] Credit Facility [Domain] 2014 ABL Facility Credit Agreement [Member] 2014 ABL Facility Credit Agreement [Member] 2014 ABL Facility Credit Agreement [Member] Term Loan Agreement Term Loan Agreement [Member] Term Loan Agreement [Member] Long-term Debt, Type [Axis] Long-term Debt, Type [Axis] Long-term Debt, Type [Domain] Long-term Debt, Type [Domain] Term Loan Term Loan [Member] Term Loan Line of Credit [Member] Line of Credit [Member] Secured Second A&R CDA [Member] Secured Second A&R CDA [Member] Secured Second A&R CDA [Member] Unsecured Second A&R CD [Member] Unsecured Second A&R CD [Member] Unsecured Second A&R CD [Member] Lease Financing Obligations [Member] Lease financing obligations [Member] Lease financing obligations [Member] Letter of Credit [Member] Letter of Credit [Member] Other Debt Obligations [Member] Other Debt Obligations [Member] Debt Instrument [Axis] Debt Instrument [Axis] Debt Instrument, Name [Domain] Debt Instrument, Name [Domain] Carrying Amount [Member] Fair Value [Member] Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member] Debt Instrument [Line Items] Debt Instrument [Line Items] Long-term Debt, Gross Long-term Debt, Gross Premium/(Discount), Debt Debt Instrument, Unamortized Discount (Premium), Net Debt Issuance Cost Debt Issuance Costs, Noncurrent, Net Book Value Long-term Debt Debt Instrument, Gross, Current Maturities Debt Instrument, Gross, Current Maturities Debt Instrument, Gross, Current Maturities Premium/(Discount), Current Maturities Debt Instrument, Unamortized Discount (Premium), Net, Current Maturities Debt Instrument, Unamortized Discount (Premium), Net, Current Maturities Deferred Finance Costs, Current, Net Debt Issuance Costs, Current, Net Book Value, Current Maturities Long-term Debt, Current Maturities Par Value, Excluding Current Maturities Debt Instrument, Face Amount, Excluding Current Maturities Debt Instrument, Face Amount, Excluding Current Maturities Premium (Discount) Debt Instrument, Unamortized Discount (Premium), Net, Noncurrent Maturities Debt Instrument, Unamortized Discount (Premium), Net, Noncurrent Maturities Book Value, Excluding Current Maturities Long-term Debt, Excluding Current Maturities Stated Interest Rate Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage Average Effective Interest Rate Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Effective Percentage Floor interest rate Debt Instrument, Floor Interest Rate Debt Instrument, Floor Interest Rate Basis spread on variable rate Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate Line of credit facility, total cash and availability Line Of Credit Facility, Total Cash and Availability Line Of Credit Facility, Total Cash and Availability Letters of credit outstanding, amount Letters of Credit Outstanding, Amount Maximum borrowing capacity (Managed Accessibility) Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity Maximum Total Leverage Ratio, March 31, 2018 Debt Instrument, Covenant, Maximum Total Leverage Ratio, Quarter Four Debt Instrument, Covenant, Maximum Total Leverage Ratio, Quarter Four Maximum Total Leverage Ratio, June 30, 2018 Debt Instrument, Covenant, Maximum Total Leverage Ratio, Quarter Five Debt Instrument, Covenant, Maximum Total Leverage Ratio, Quarter Five Maximum Total Leverage Ratio, September 30, 2018 Debt Instrument, Covenant, Maximum Total Leverage Ratio, Quarter Six Debt Instrument, Covenant, Maximum Total Leverage Ratio, Quarter Six Maximum Total Leverage Ratio, December 31, 2018 Debt Instrument, Covenant, Maximum Total Leverage Ratio, Quarter Seven Debt Instrument, Covenant, Maximum Total Leverage Ratio, Quarter Seven Maximum Total Leverage Ratio, March 31, 2019 Debt Instrument, Covenant, Maximum Total Leverage Ratio, Quarter Eight Debt Instrument, Covenant, Maximum Total Leverage Ratio, Quarter Eight Maximum Total Leverage Ratio, June 30, 2019 Debt Instrument, Covenant, Maximum Total Leverage Ratio, Quarter Nine Debt Instrument, Covenant, Maximum Total Leverage Ratio, Quarter Nine Maximum Total Leverage Ratio, September 30, 2019 Debt Instrument, Covenant, Maximum Total Leverage Ratio, Quarter Ten Debt Instrument, Covenant, Maximum Total Leverage Ratio, Quarter Ten Maximum Total Leverage Ratio, December 31, 2019 Debt Instrument, Covenant, Maximum Total Leverage Ratio, Quarter Eleven Debt Instrument, Covenant, Maximum Total Leverage Ratio, Quarter Eleven Maximum Total Leverage Ratio, March 31, 2020 Debt Instrument, Covenant, Maximum Total Leverage Ratio, Quarter Twelve Debt Instrument, Covenant, Maximum Total Leverage Ratio, Quarter Twelve Maximum Total Leverage Ratio, June 30, 2020 Debt Instrument, Covenant, Maximum Total Leverage Ratio, Quarter Thirteen Debt Instrument, Covenant, Maximum Total Leverage Ratio, Quarter Thirteen Maximum Total Leverage Ratio, September 30, 2020 Debt Instrument, Covenant, Maximum Total Leverage Ratio, Quarter Fourteen Debt Instrument, Covenant, Maximum Total Leverage Ratio, Quarter Fourteen Maximum Total Leverage Ratio, December 31, 2020 Debt Instrument, Covenant, Maximum Total Leverage Ratio, Quarter Fifteen Debt Instrument, Covenant, Maximum Total Leverage Ratio, Quarter Fifteen Maximum Total Leverage Ratio, March 31, 2021 Debt Instrument, Covenant, Maximum Total Leverage Ratio, Quarter Sixteen Debt Instrument, Covenant, Maximum Total Leverage Ratio, Quarter Sixteen Maximum Total Leverage Ratio, June 30, 2021 and thereafter Debt Instrument, Covenant, Maximum Total Leverage Ratio, Quarter Seventeen And Thereafter Debt Instrument, Covenant, Maximum Total Leverage Ratio, Quarter Seventeen And Thereafter Debt Instrument, Total Leverage Ratio Debt Instrument, Total Leverage Ratio Debt Instrument, Total Leverage Ratio Long-term Debt, Fair Value Long-term Debt, Fair Value Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis [Table Text Block] Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis [Table Text Block] Basis of Presentation Basis of Accounting [Text Block] Reclassification Reclassification, Policy [Policy Text Block] Fair Value of Financial Instruments Fair Value of Financial Instruments, Policy [Policy Text Block] Revenue Recognition and Revenue-Related Reserves Revenue Recognition, Policy [Policy Text Block] Newly Adopted Accounting Standards and Impact of Recently Issued Accounting Standards New Accounting Pronouncements, Policy [Policy Text Block] Principles of Consolidation Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements Disclosure and Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block] Accounting Policies [Abstract] Concentration Risk [Table] Concentration Risk [Table] Concentration Risk Benchmark [Axis] Concentration Risk Benchmark [Axis] Concentration Risk Benchmark [Domain] Concentration Risk Benchmark [Domain] Workforce Subject to Collective Bargaining Arrangements [Member] Workforce Subject to Collective Bargaining Arrangements [Member] Concentration Risk Type [Axis] Concentration Risk Type [Axis] Concentration Risk Type [Domain] Concentration Risk Type [Domain] Labor Force Concentration Risk [Member] Labor Force Concentration Risk [Member] Concentration Risk [Line Items] Concentration Risk [Line Items] Percentage of workforce subject to collective bargaining agreements Concentration Risk, Percentage Business Segments Segment Reporting Disclosure [Text Block] Description of Business Business Description and Basis of Presentation [Text Block] Schedule of Costs of Retirement Plans [Table Text Block] Schedule of Costs of Retirement Plans [Table Text Block] Statement of Cash Flows [Abstract] Operating Activities: Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities [Abstract] Net loss Noncash items included in net loss: Adjustments, Noncash Items, to Reconcile Net Income (Loss) to Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities [Abstract] Depreciation and amortization Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization Noncash equity-based compensation and employee benefits expense Share-based Compensation Losses on property disposals, net Gain (Loss) on Disposition of Property Plant Equipment, Excluding Oil and Gas Property and Timber Property Other noncash items, net Other Noncash Income (Expense) Changes in assets and liabilities, net: Increase (Decrease) in Operating Capital [Abstract] Accounts receivable Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Receivable Accounts payable Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Payable, Trade Other operating assets Increase (Decrease) in Other Operating Assets Other operating liabilities Net cash used in operating activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities Investing Activities: Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities [Abstract] Acquisition of property and equipment Payments to Acquire Property, Plant, and Equipment Proceeds from disposal of property and equipment Proceeds from Sale of Property, Plant, and Equipment Net cash used in investing activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities Financing Activities: Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities [Abstract] Repayments of long-term debt Repayments of Long-term Debt Debt issuance costs Payments of Debt Issuance Costs Payments for tax withheld on equity-based compensation Net cash used in financing activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities Net Decrease In Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Amounts Held in Escrow Cash, Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Restricted Cash Equivalents, Period Increase (Decrease), Including Exchange Rate Effect Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Amounts Held in Escrow, Beginning of Period Cash, Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Restricted Cash Equivalents Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Amounts Held in Escrow, End of Period Supplemental Cash Flow Information: Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Abstract] Interest paid Interest Paid Income tax refund (payment), net Income Taxes Paid, Net Schedule of Debt [Table Text Block] Schedule of Debt [Table Text Block] Schedule of Maximum Total Leverage Ratio for Remaining Test Periods [Table Text Block] Schedule of Maximum Total Leverage Ratio for Remaining Test Periods [Table Text Block] Schedule of Maximum Total Leverage Ratio for Remaining Test Periods [Table Text Block] Schedule of Carrying Values and Estimated Fair Values of Debt Instruments [Table Text Block] Schedule of Carrying Values and Estimated Fair Values of Debt Instruments [Table Text Block] Earnings Per Share [Abstract] Schedule of Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Table] Schedule of Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Table] Antidilutive Securities [Axis] Antidilutive Securities [Axis] Antidilutive Securities, Name [Domain] Antidilutive Securities, Name [Domain] Antidillutive options and shares Antidillutive options and shares [Member] Antidillutive options and shares [Member] Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items] Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items] Anti-dilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount Schedule of Defined Benefit Plans Disclosures [Table] Schedule of Defined Benefit Plans Disclosures [Table] Retirement Plan Type [Axis] Retirement Plan Type [Axis] Retirement Plan Type [Domain] Retirement Plan Type [Domain] Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Defined Benefit [Member] Other Postretirement Benefits Plan [Member] Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] Service cost Defined Benefit Plan, Service Cost Interest cost Defined Benefit Plan, Interest Cost Expected return on plan assets Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Return (Loss) on Plan Assets Amortization of prior service credit Defined Benefit Plan, Amortization of Prior Service Cost (Credit) Amortization of net pension loss Defined Benefit Plan, Amortization of Gain (Loss) Total periodic pension cost Defined Benefit Plan, Net Periodic Benefit Cost (Credit) Expected future benefit payments, remainder of the year Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payment, Remainder of Fiscal Year Contributions by employer Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Contributions by Employer Statement of Financial Position [Abstract] Assets Assets [Abstract] Cash and cash equivalents Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value Restricted amounts held in escrow Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, Current Accounts receivable, net Accounts Receivable, Net, Current Prepaid expenses and other Prepaid Expense and Other Assets, Current Total current assets Assets, Current Property and Equipment: Property, Plant and Equipment, Net [Abstract] Cost Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross Less – accumulated depreciation Accumulated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Property, Plant, and Equipment Net property and equipment Property, Plant and Equipment, Net Intangibles, net Intangible Assets, Net (Excluding Goodwill) Other assets Other Assets, Noncurrent Total Assets Liabilities and Shareholders’ Deficit Liabilities and Equity [Abstract] Accounts payable Accounts Payable, Current Wages, vacations and employee benefits Employee-related Liabilities, Current Claims and insurance accruals Claims And Insurance Accruals Current Claims And Insurance Accruals Current Other accrued taxes Accrued Payroll Taxes, Current Other current and accrued liabilities Other Accrued Liabilities, Current Current maturities of long-term debt Total current liabilities Liabilities, Current Other Liabilities: Liabilities, Noncurrent [Abstract] Long-term debt, less current portion Deferred income taxes, net Deferred Tax Liabilities, Net, Noncurrent Pension and postretirement Liability, Defined Benefit Plan, Noncurrent Claims and other liabilities Claims and Insurance Accruals Noncurrent Claims and insurance accruals noncurrent. Commitments and contingencies Commitments and Contingencies Shareholders’ Deficit: Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract] Preferred stock, $1 par value per share Preferred Stock, Value, Issued Common stock, $0.01 par value per share Common Stock, Value, Issued Capital surplus Additional Paid in Capital Accumulated deficit Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit) Accumulated other comprehensive loss Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax Treasury stock, at cost (410 shares) Treasury Stock, Value Total shareholders’ deficit Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Deficit Liabilities and Equity Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share) Preferred Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share Common stock, par value (in dollars per share) Common Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share Treasury stock, shares (in shares) Treasury Stock, Shares Loss Per Share Earnings Per Share [Text Block]