Revisions in Estimates - Summary of Impact of Revisions in Estimates to Gross Profit (Details) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2023 USD ($) project $ / shares	Jun. 30, 2022 USD ($) project $ / shares	Jun. 30, 2023 USD ($) project $ / shares	Jun. 30, 2022 USD ($) project $ / shares
Change in Accounting Estimate [Line Items]
Range of reduction in gross profit from each project, net	$ 103,086	$ 97,566	$ 135,445	$ 157,658
Decrease to project profitability, net	(14,822)	28,246	(50,063)	9,503
Decrease to net income/increase to net loss	(23,846)	19,578	(49,618)	(5,517)
Decrease to net income/increase to net loss attributable to Granite Construction Incorporated	$ (17,000)	$ 18,681	$ (40,023)	$ (8,052)
Net loss per share, diluted (USD per share) | $ / shares	$ (0.39)	$ 0.39	$ (0.91)	$ (0.18)
Minimum
Change in Accounting Estimate [Line Items]
Range of reduction in gross profit from each project, net		$ 5,900	$ 5,900	$ 5,600
Maximum
Change in Accounting Estimate [Line Items]
Range of reduction in gross profit from each project, net		$ 7,600	$ 32,100	$ 10,600
Estimated Cost Recovery of Customer Affirmative Claims and Back Charges
Change in Accounting Estimate [Line Items]
Number of projects with downward estimate changes | project	1	3	2	5
Range of reduction in gross profit from each project, net	$ 20,700
Decrease to project profitability, net	20,700	$ 19,500	$ 38,000	$ 35,600
Decrease to net income/increase to net loss	15,800	14,900	29,000	27,300
Amounts attributable to non-controlling interests	10,400	3,000	16,000	3,000
Decrease to net income/increase to net loss attributable to Granite Construction Incorporated	$ 5,400	$ 11,900	$ 13,000	$ 24,200
Net loss per share, diluted (USD per share) | $ / shares	$ 0.12	$ 0.23	$ 0.30	$ 0.54