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INVENTORIES (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Dec. 31, 2012
INVENTORIES [Abstract]      
Inventories classified as long-term assets (Other noncurrent assets) $ 17,449us-gaap_InventoryNoncurrent $ 27,331us-gaap_InventoryNoncurrent  
Inventories valued under the LIFO method 232,371us-gaap_LIFOInventoryAmount 268,674us-gaap_LIFOInventoryAmount  
Decrease in cost of goods sold due to the effect of the LIFO liquidation 2,686vmc_EffectOfLifoInventoryLiquidationOnCostOfGoodsSold 1,310vmc_EffectOfLifoInventoryLiquidationOnCostOfGoodsSold 1,124vmc_EffectOfLifoInventoryLiquidationOnCostOfGoodsSold
Increase in net earnings due to the effect of the LIFO liquidation 1,650us-gaap_EffectOfLIFOInventoryLiquidationOnIncome 802us-gaap_EffectOfLIFOInventoryLiquidationOnIncome 688us-gaap_EffectOfLIFOInventoryLiquidationOnIncome
Excess of estimated current cost over LIFO cost 181,633us-gaap_ExcessOfReplacementOrCurrentCostsOverStatedLIFOValue 184,409us-gaap_ExcessOfReplacementOrCurrentCostsOverStatedLIFOValue  
Approximate effect on net earnings due to the adoption of the LIFO method $ 19,108vmc_ApproximateEffectOnNetEarningsDueToAdoptionOfLifo $ 20,812vmc_ApproximateEffectOnNetEarningsDueToAdoptionOfLifo $ 5,990vmc_ApproximateEffectOnNetEarningsDueToAdoptionOfLifo