Document and Entity Information - shares	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Oct. 22, 2020
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2020
Document Transition Report	false
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2020
Entity File Number	001-33841
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Entity Registrant Name	VULCAN MATERIALS COMPANY
Entity Central Index Key	0001396009
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	NJ
Entity Tax Identification Number	20-8579133
Entity Address, Address Line One	1200 Urban Center Drive
Entity Address, City or Town	Birmingham
Entity Address, State or Province	AL
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	35242
City Area Code	205
Local Phone Number	298-3000
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock, $1 par value
Trading Symbol	New York Stock Exchange
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		132,511,361