Equity (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014		Sep. 30, 2013
Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Stockholders' equity, beginning balance			$ 786,344		$ 871,858
Purchase of common stock			(4,751)	[1]	(5,457)	[2]
Other transactions with shareholders			10,505	[3]	11,430	[3]
Transactions with noncontrolling interests, net			15,174		(21,654)
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent	15,282	13,037	8,370		(7,526)
Comprehensive income (loss):
Net income (loss)	14,105	6,532	15,051		(11,512)
Dividends on common stock			(15,260)		(15,150)
Stockholders' equity, ending balance	807,063	829,515	807,063		829,515
Shares Purchased for Tax Withholding for Share Based Compensation			123,000		181,000
Granite Construction [Member]
Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Stockholders' equity, beginning balance			781,940		829,953
Purchase of common stock			(4,751)	[1]	(5,457)	[2]
Other transactions with shareholders			10,505	[3]	11,430	[3]
Transactions with noncontrolling interests, net			0		0
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent			8,370
Comprehensive income (loss):
Net income (loss)					(7,526)
Dividends on common stock			(15,260)		(15,150)
Stockholders' equity, ending balance	780,804	813,250	780,804		813,250
Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Stockholders' equity, beginning balance			4,404		41,905
Purchase of common stock			0	[1]	0	[2]
Other transactions with shareholders			0	[3]	0	[3]
Transactions with noncontrolling interests, net			15,174		(21,654)
Comprehensive income (loss):
Net income (loss)			6,681		(3,986)
Dividends on common stock			0		0
Stockholders' equity, ending balance	$ 26,259	$ 16,265	$ 26,259		$ 16,265

[1] Represents 123,000 shares purchased in connection with employee tax withholding for shares/units vested under our Amended and Restated 1999 Equity Incentive Plan.

[2] Represents 181,000 shares purchased in connection with employee tax withholding for shares/units vested under our Amended and Restated 1999 Equity Incentive Plan.

[3] Amounts are comprised primarily of amortized restricted stock and units.