Equity (Details) - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended
		Mar. 31, 2017		Mar. 31, 2016
Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Stockholders' equity, beginning balance		$ 922,591		$ 870,121
Purchase of common stock		(6,448)	[1]	(4,459)	[2]
Other transactions with shareholders	[3]	8,943		5,892
Transactions with noncontrolling interests, net				904
Net loss attributable to Granite Construction Incorporated		(23,790)		(10,441)
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest		(61)		678
Net loss		(23,851)		(9,763)
Dividends on common stock		(5,176)		(5,143)
Stockholders' equity, ending balance		$ 896,059		$ 855,744
Shares Purchased for Tax Withholding for Share Based Compensation		131,000		101,000
Granite Construction [Member]
Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Stockholders' equity, beginning balance		$ 885,988		$ 839,237
Purchase of common stock		(6,448)	[1]	(4,459)	[2]
Other transactions with shareholders	[3]	8,943		5,892
Transactions with noncontrolling interests, net				(2,441)
Net loss attributable to Granite Construction Incorporated		(23,790)		(10,441)
Dividends on common stock		(5,176)		(5,143)
Stockholders' equity, ending balance		859,517		827,527
Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Stockholders' equity, beginning balance		36,603		30,884
Purchase of common stock		0	[1]	0	[2]
Other transactions with shareholders	[3]	0		0
Transactions with noncontrolling interests, net				(3,345)
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest		(61)		678
Dividends on common stock		0		0
Stockholders' equity, ending balance		$ 36,542		$ 28,217

[1] Represents 131,000 shares purchased in connection with employee tax withholding for restricted stock units vested under our 2012 Equity Incentive Plan.

[2] Represents 101,000 shares purchased in connection with employee tax withholding for restricted stock units vested under our 2012 Equity Incentive Plan.

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