Consolidated Statements of Earnings and Comprehensive Earnings - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net Sales	$ 1,005,218	$ 917,942	$ 2,487,342	$ 1,899,557
Freight and delivery revenues	77,031	85,781	207,672	202,021
Total revenues	1,082,249	1,003,723	2,695,014	2,101,578
Cost of sales	742,713	722,349	1,950,424	1,542,527
Freight and delivery costs	77,031	85,781	207,672	202,021
Total cost of revenues	819,744	808,130	2,158,096	1,744,548
Gross Profit	262,505	195,593	536,918	357,030
Selling, general & administrative expenses	54,887	48,427	161,120	119,239
Acquisition-related expenses, net	2,087	26,118	5,783	41,178
Other operating expenses, net	26,033	5,092	27,963	313
Earnings from Operations	179,498	115,956	342,052	196,300
Interest expense	18,926	19,805	57,344	44,954
Other nonoperating (income) and expenses, net	(4,489)	(1,841)	(6,607)	1,330
Earnings from continuing operations before taxes on income	165,061	97,992	291,315	150,016
Taxes on income	47,483	44,089	85,600	59,571
Earnings from Continuing Operations	117,578	53,903	205,715	90,445
Loss on discontinued operations, net of related tax benefit of $28 and $53, respectively		(69)		(140)
Consolidated net earnings	117,578	53,834	205,715	90,305
Less: Net earnings (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	34	91	108	(1,341)
Net Earnings Attributable to Martin Marietta Materials, Inc.	117,544	53,743	205,607	91,646
Net Earnings (Loss) Attributable to Martin Marietta Materials, Inc.:
Earnings from continuing operations	117,544	53,812	205,607	91,786
Loss from discontinued operations		(69)		(140)
Net Earnings Attributable to Martin Marietta Materials, Inc.	117,544	53,743	205,607	91,646
Consolidated Comprehensive Earnings: (See Note 1)
Earnings attributable to Martin Marietta Materials, Inc.	117,616	52,603	199,024	92,479
Earnings (Loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	37	93	116	(1,337)
Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	$ 117,653	$ 52,696	$ 199,140	$ 91,142
Net Earnings Attributable to Martin Marietta Materials, Inc. per common share
Basic from continuing operations attributable to common shareholders	$ 1.75	$ 0.80	$ 3.05	$ 1.71
Earnings Per Share, Basic, Total	1.75	0.80	3.05	1.71
Diluted from continuing operations attributable to common shareholders	1.74	0.79	3.03	1.70
Earnings Per Share, Diluted, Total	$ 1.74	$ 0.79	$ 3.03	$ 1.70
Weighted-Average Common Shares Outstanding:
Basic	66,830	67,086	67,203	53,342
Diluted	67,108	67,495	67,470	53,559
Cash Dividends Per Common Share	$ 0.40	$ 0.40	$ 1.20	$ 1.20