Entity tax identification number Entity Tax Identification Number Rollovers EBP, Change in Net Asset Available for Benefit, Increase from Participant Contribution, Rollover Maximum Maximum [Member] Net change in deemed distributions EBP, Reconciliation to Form 5500, Change in Net Asset Available for Benefit, Increase (Decrease) from Deemed Distribution Forfeitures used to reduce employer contribution EBP, Forfeited Nonvested Account, Decrease from Administrative Expense Legal Entity [Axis] Legal Entity [Axis] Statistical Measurement [Domain] Statistical Measurement [Domain] EBP, Description of Plan [Table] EBP, Description of Plan [Table] Value of shares sold EBP, Investment Sold, Excluding Plan Interest in Master Trust, Selling Price EBP, Related Party and Party-in-Interest Transactions [Table] EBP, Related Party and Party-in-Interest Transactions [Table] Maximum percentage of eligible compensation EBP, Participant Contribution, Pretax, Maximum Annual Compensation to Total Compensation, Percentage EBP, Discretionary Profit Sharing Contribution EBP, Discretionary Profit Sharing Contribution [Member] EBP, Discretionary Profit Sharing Contribution Total deductions EBP, Change in Net Asset Available for Benefit, Decrease Maximum borrowing, amount EBP, Note Receivable from Participant, Account, Maximum Borrowing, Amount FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS EBP, Investment, Fair Value and NAV [Text Block] Minimum borrowing, amount EBP, Note Receivable from Participant, Account, Minimum Borrowing, Amount Increase in deferral rate (as a percent) EBP, Participant Contribution, Automatic, Annual Increase Deferral Rate Annual increase in percentage of eligible compensation contributed for participant automatically enrolled in employee stock purchase, saving, or similar plan (employee benefit plan (EBP)) until the contribution reaches maximum threshold. Employee contributions receivable not accrued on Schedule H of Form 5500 EBP, Reconciliation To Form 5500, Net Asset Available for Benefit, Employee Contribution Receivable, Not Accrued EBP, Reconciliation To Form 5500, Net Asset Available for Benefit, Employee Contribution Receivable, Not Accrued Participant directed investments, at fair value Plan's investment assets at fair value Investment assets, fair value EBP, Investment, Excluding Plan Interest in Master Trust, Fair Value LEVEL 1 Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] Reconciliation of Financial Statements to Form 5500 EBP, Reconciliation of Financial Statement to Form 5500 [Table Text Block] EBP, Investment, Fair Value and NAV [Abstract] ASSETS EBP, Asset [Abstract] Statistical Measurement [Axis] Statistical Measurement [Axis] ADDITIONS TO NET ASSETS ATTRIBUTED TO EBP, Change in Net Asset Available for Benefit, Increase [Abstract] EBP, Statement of Change in Net Asset Available for Benefit [Table] EBP, Statement of Change in Net Asset Available for Benefit [Table] Payment of Benefits EBP, Payment to Participant [Policy Text Block] Amendment Flag Amendment Flag Deemed distributions EBP, Reconciliation to Form 5500, Net Asset Available for Benefit, Deemed Distribution Basis of Accounting EBP, Basis of Accounting [Policy Text Block] EBP, Schedule of Asset Held for Investment [Table] EBP, Schedule of Asset Held for Investment [Table] Number of shares held EBP, Investment, Number of Shares EBP, Description of Plan and Accounting Change [Abstract] Receivables: EBP, Receivable [Abstract] Plan's Investment Assets at Fair Value EBP, Investment, Fair Value and NAV [Table Text Block] EBP, Employer Contribution, Type [Axis] EBP, Employer Contribution, Type [Axis] EBP, Employer Contribution, Type Scenario [Domain] Scenario [Domain] Vesting service period EBP, Participant Contribution Vesting Service Period EBP, Participant Contribution Vesting Service Period Investments [Domain] Investments [Domain] Use of Estimates EBP, Use of Estimate [Policy Text Block] SCHEDULE H, LINE 4I-SCHEDULE OF ASSETS (HELD AT END OF YEAR) EBP, Schedule of Asset Held for Investment [Text Block] Cover [Abstract] Employer Employer contributions EBP, Change in Net Asset Available for Benefit, Increase from Employer Contribution, Cash Net change in employer contribution receivable EBP, Reconciliation To Form 5500, Change In Net Asset Available For Benefit, Increase (Decrease) From Employer's Contribution Receivable EBP, Reconciliation To Form 5500, Change In Net Asset Available For Benefit, Increase (Decrease) From Employer's Contribution Receivable Minimum Minimum [Member] Interest income on notes receivable from participants EBP, Change in Net Asset Available for Benefit, Increase from Interest Income on Note Receivable from Participant Investment Type [Axis] Investment Type [Axis] Total contributions EBP, Change in Net Asset Available for Benefit, Increase from Contribution Participant EBP, Change in Net Asset Available for Benefit, Increase from Participant Contribution, Excluding Rollover Total vesting percentage EBP, Employer Contribution Vesting Percentage Company contribution and/ or investment earning percentage vesting to the participant in Company Matching Contributions, Fixed Rate Contributions, Discretionary Profit-Sharing Contributions, Qualified Non-Elective Contributions, and Disability Contributions, upon completion of minimum service period or attainment of maximum vesting age Net appreciation in fair value of investments EBP, Change in Net Asset Available for Benefit, Increase (Decrease) from Gain (Loss) on Investment Interest and dividends EBP, Change in Net Asset Available for Benefit, Increase from Interest and Dividend Income on Investment EBP, Description of Plan [Line Items] EBP, Description of Plan [Line Items] Plan number EBP, Plan Number EBP, Investment, Fair Value and NAV [Line Items] EBP, Investment, Fair Value and NAV [Line Items] DESCRIPTION OF PLAN EBP, Description of Plan [Text Block] EBP, Statement of Change in Net Asset Available for Benefit [Line Items] EBP, Statement of Change in Net Asset Available for Benefit [Line Items] EBP, Statement of Net Asset Available for Benefit [Table] EBP, Statement of Net Asset Available for Benefit [Table] EBP, Schedule of Asset Held for Investment [Line Items] EBP, Schedule of Asset Held for Investment [Line Items] Basis spread on variable rate (as a percent) EBP, Participant Loan, Basis Spread On Variable Rate EBP, Participant Loan, Basis Spread On Variable Rate Lithia Motors, Inc. Common Stock Common Stock EBP, Employer, Common Stock [Member] EBP, Schedule of Asset Held for Investment [Abstract] EBP, Accounting Policy [Table] EBP, Accounting Policy [Table] Total additions EBP, Change in Net Asset Available for Benefit, Increase Investment income: EBP, Change in Net Asset Available for Benefit, Increase (Decrease) from Income (Loss) on Investment [Abstract] Investment, Identifier [Axis] Investment, Identifier [Axis] Administrative expenses EBP, Change in Net Asset Available for Benefit, Decrease from Administrative Expense Total current value EBP, Asset Held for Investment Scenario [Axis] Scenario [Axis] EBP, Statement of Change in Net Asset Available for Benefit [Abstract] LEVEL 2 Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] Employer contribution receivable not accrued on Schedule H of Form 5500 EBP, Reconciliation To Form 5500, Net Asset Available for Benefit, Employer's Contribution Receivable, Not Accrued EBP, Reconciliation To Form 5500, Net Asset Available for Benefit, Employer's Contribution Receivable, Not Accrued Vesting percentage after one year of service EBP, Participant Contribution, Annual Vesting Percentage After One Year Of Service Period EBP, Participant Contribution, Annual Vesting Percentage After One Year Of Service Period General loan, borrowing term EBP, Note Receivable From Participant, General Loan, Maximum Borrowing Term EBP, Note Receivable From Participant, General Loan, Maximum Borrowing Term Net increase in net assets per the Form 5500 EBP, Form 5500 Caption, Net Income (Loss) Employer contribution, participant compensation matched EBP, Employer Contribution, Participant Compensation Matched, Amount EBP, Employer Contribution, Participant Compensation Matched, Amount EBP, Tax Status [Table] EBP, Tax Status [Table] INCREASE IN NET ASSETS Net increase in net assets per the financial statements EBP, Change in Net Asset Available for Benefit, Increase (Decrease) TRANSACTIONS WITH PARTIES-IN-INTEREST AND RELATED PARTIES EBP, Related Party and Party-in-Interest Transactions [Text Block] EBP, Related Party and Party-in-Interest Transactions [Abstract] EBP, Accounting Policy, Accounting Standard Update, and Change in Accounting Principle [Abstract] Receivables EBP, Receivable Employer contributions EBP, Employer Contribution, Receivable Net depreciation EBP, Change in Net Asset Available for Benefit, Increase (Decrease) from Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investment Deferral rate (as a percent) EBP, Participant Contribution, Automatic, Deferral Rate Dividends EBP, Change in Net Asset Available for Benefit, Increase from Dividend Income on Investment Benefits paid to participants EBP, Change in Net Asset Available for Benefit, Decrease from Payment to Participant Investments, current value EBP, Asset Held for Investment, Investment, Excluding Plan Interest in Master Trust, Current Value Primary residence, borrowing term EBP, Note Receivable From Participant, Account, Primary Residence, Maximum Borrowing Term EBP, Note Receivable From Participant, Account, Primary Residence, Maximum Borrowing Term Fair Value Hierarchy and NAV [Domain] Fair Value Hierarchy and NAV [Domain] EBP, Statement of Net Asset Available for Benefit [Abstract] EBP, Accounting Policy [Line Items] EBP, Accounting Policy [Line Items] EBP, Tax Status [Abstract] Plan termination, vesting percentage EBP, Plan Termination, Participant Vesting Percentage EBP, Plan Termination, Participant Vesting Percentage EBP, Reconciliation of Financial Statement to Form 5500 [Table] EBP, Reconciliation of Financial Statement to Form 5500 [Table] Automatic distribution of vested account balance EBP, Involuntary Cash-out Limit EBP, Involuntary Cash-out Limit Percentage of investment of Plan's net assets EBP, Plan Assets Investment, Percentage EBP, Plan Assets Investment, Percentage EBP, Reconciliation of Financial Statement to Form 5500 [Line Items] EBP, Reconciliation of Financial Statement to Form 5500 [Line Items] Vesting percentage upon participation EBP, Participant Contribution, Vesting Percentage Upon Participation EBP, Participant Contribution, Vesting Percentage Upon Participation RECONCILIATION OF FINANCIAL STATEMENTS TO SCHEDULE H OF FORM 5500 EBP, Reconciliation of Financial Statement to Form 5500 [Text Block] Interest and non-interest bearing cash Interest And Non-Interest Bearing Cash [Member] Interest And Non-Interest Bearing Cash Participant loan, current value EBP, Asset Held for Investment, Participant Loan, after Deemed Distribution Investment Valuation and Income Recognition EBP, Investment [Policy Text Block] Participant contributions EBP, Participant Contribution, Receivable LEVEL 1, 2 AND 3 Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3 [Member] Registered investment companies Registered Investment Companies [Member] Registered Investment Companies Document Type Document Type PLAN TERMINATION EBP, Plan Termination [Text Block] Entity Central Index Key Entity Central Index Key Participant loan, interest rate (as a percent) EBP, Asset Held for Investment, Participant Loan, Interest Rate EBP, Reconciliation of Financial Statement to Form 5500 [Abstract] Common collective trust funds Common Collective Trust [Member] EBP, Tax Status [Line Items] EBP, Tax Status [Line Items] Net change in participant contribution receivable EBP, Reconciliation To Form 5500, Change In Net Asset Available For Benefit, Increase (Decrease) From Participants' Contribution Receivable EBP, Reconciliation To Form 5500, Change In Net Asset Available For Benefit, Increase (Decrease) From Participants' Contribution Receivable DEDUCTIONS FROM NET ASSETS ATTRIBUTED TO EBP, Change in Net Asset Available for Benefit, Decrease [Abstract] Notes receivable from participants EBP, Note Receivable from Participant Fair Value Hierarchy and NAV [Axis] Fair Value Hierarchy and NAV [Axis] SUMMARY OF ACCOUNTING POLICIES EBP, Summary of Accounting Policy [Text Block] Entity Registrant Name Entity Registrant Name Value of shares purchased EBP, Investment Acquired, Excluding Plan Interest in Master Trust, Cost Forecast Forecast [Member] INCOME TAX STATUS EBP, Tax Status [Text Block] Maximum borrowing, to total account, percentage EBP, Note Receivable from Participant, Account, Maximum Borrowing, to Total Account, Percentage EBP 003 EBP 003 [Member] EBP 003 EBP, Employer Contribution, Type [Domain] EBP, Employer Contribution, Type [Domain] EBP, Employer Contribution, Type [Domain] Note Receivable from Participants EBP, Note Receivable from Participant [Policy Text Block] Total investment income EBP, Change in Net Asset Available for Benefit, Increase (Decrease) from Income (Loss) on Investment Vesting percentage thereafter EBP, Participant Contribution, Annual Vesting Percentage Thereafter EBP, Participant Contribution, Annual Vesting Percentage Thereafter EBP, Related Party and Party-in-Interest Transactions [Line Items] EBP, Related Party and Party-in-Interest Transactions [Line Items] LEVEL 3 Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] NET ASSETS AVAILABLE FOR BENEFITS Beginning of year End of year Net assets available for benefits per the financial statements EBP, Net Asset Available for Benefit Entity [Domain] Entity [Domain] Contributions: EBP, Change in Net Asset Available for Benefit, Increase from Contribution [Abstract] Forfeitures EBP, Forfeited Nonvested Account Employer contribution, matching percentage EBP, Employer Contribution, Matching Percentage Net assets available for benefits per Schedule H of Form 5500 EBP, Form 5500 Caption, Net Assets NAV Fair Value Measured at Net Asset Value Per Share [Member] EBP, Investment, Fair Value and NAV [Table] EBP, Investment, Fair Value and NAV [Table] EBP, Statement of Net Asset Available for Benefit [Line Items] EBP, Statement of Net Asset Available for Benefit [Line Items]