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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 AEq4DI5Gg2Jt7wUuf7SuxCRtus2iD/nuLnQ2gt+ipnsa1B0wPllSork9YIznqqGp
 aDxNnZwhnsLNyJiRJRnxPw==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001104659-04-036921.txt : 20041119
<SEC-HEADER>0001104659-04-036921.hdr.sgml : 20041119
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20041119143453
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001104659-04-036921
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20041119
FILED AS OF DATE:		20041119
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20041119

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			MCQUADE LAWRENCE C
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001197857

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-08123
		FILM NUMBER:		041157501

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		BUSINESS PHONE:		312-467-6755

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		QUIXOTE CORP
		STREET 2:		35 EAST WACKER DRIVE, SUITE 1100
		CITY:			CHICAGO
		STATE:			IL
		ZIP:			60601

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			QUIXOTE CORP
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000032870
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	PLASTICS PRODUCTS, NEC [3089]
		IRS NUMBER:				362675371
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			0630

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		ONE E WACKER DR
		STREET 2:		STE 3000
		CITY:			CHICAGO
		STATE:			IL
		ZIP:			60601
		BUSINESS PHONE:		3124676755

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		ONE EAST WACKER DRIVE
		CITY:			CHICAGO
		STATE:			IL
		ZIP:			60601

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	ENERGY ABSORPTION SYSTEMS INC
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19800815
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>a4.xml
<DESCRIPTION>4
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2004-11-19</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000032870</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>QUIXOTE CORP</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>QUIX</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001197857</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>MCQUADE LAWRENCE C</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>QUIXOTE CORPORATION</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>35 EAST WACKER DRIVE, SUITE 1100</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>CHICAGO</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>IL</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>60601</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Director Stock Option (right to buy)</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>20.68</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2004-11-19</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>5000</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>20.68</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2005-05-19</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2011-11-19</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>5000</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>86000</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
    </derivativeTable>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/Lawrence C. McQuade</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-11-19</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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