Revisions in Estimates - Summary of Impact of Revisions in Estimates to Gross Profit (Details) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2024 USD ($) project $ / shares	Mar. 31, 2023 USD ($) project $ / shares
Change in Accounting Estimate [Line Items]
Range of change in gross profit from each project, net	$ 54,285	$ 32,359
Changes to project profitability, net	(38,968)	(35,241)
Changes to net income (loss)	(29,442)	(25,772)
Changes to net income (loss) attributable to Granite Construction Incorporated	$ (30,983)	$ (23,023)
Net income per share, diluted (USD per share) | $ / shares	$ (0.70)	$ (0.53)
Revisions in Estimates, Increase
Change in Accounting Estimate [Line Items]
Range of change in gross profit from each project, net	$ 7,400
Changes to net income (loss)	5,600
Amounts attributable to non-controlling interests	$ 0
Net income per share, diluted (USD per share) | $ / shares	$ 0.13
Revisions in Estimates, Decrease
Change in Accounting Estimate [Line Items]
Number of projects with estimate changes | project	1	2
Range of change in gross profit from each project, net	$ 5,000
Changes to project profitability, net	7,700	$ 17,600
Changes to net income (loss)	5,800	13,100
Amounts attributable to non-controlling interests	0	5,700
Changes to net income (loss) attributable to Granite Construction Incorporated	$ 5,800	$ 7,500
Net income per share, diluted (USD per share) | $ / shares	$ 0.13	$ 0.17
Revisions in Estimates, Decrease | Minimum
Change in Accounting Estimate [Line Items]
Range of change in gross profit from each project, net	$ 7,700	$ 6,200
Revisions in Estimates, Decrease | Maximum
Change in Accounting Estimate [Line Items]
Range of change in gross profit from each project, net		$ 11,400