Document and Entity Information Document	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014	Jul. 24, 2014
Entity Information [Line Items]
Entity Registrant Name	GRANITE CONSTRUCTION INC
Entity Central Index Key	0000861459
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Jun. 30, 2014
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2014
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		39,150,090