Consolidated Statements of Earnings and Comprehensive Earnings (Unaudited) - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net Sales	$ 1,038,344	$ 1,005,218	$ 2,687,740	$ 2,487,342
Freight and delivery revenues	65,557	77,031	182,194	207,672
Total revenues	1,103,901	1,082,249	2,869,934	2,695,014
Cost of sales	745,776	742,713	2,003,837	1,950,424
Freight and delivery costs	65,557	77,031	182,194	207,672
Total cost of revenues	811,333	819,744	2,186,031	2,158,096
Gross Profit	292,568	262,505	683,903	536,918
Selling, general & administrative expenses	56,348	54,887	177,718	161,120
Acquisition-related expenses, net	306	2,087	1,627	5,783
Other operating (income) and expenses, net	(4,441)	26,033	(7,309)	27,963
Earnings from Operations	240,355	179,498	511,867	342,052
Interest expense	20,568	18,926	60,896	57,344
Other nonoperating income, net	(10,560)	(4,489)	(19,690)	(6,607)
Earnings before taxes on income	230,347	165,061	470,661	291,315
Taxes on income	70,869	47,483	144,014	85,600
Consolidated net earnings	159,478	117,578	326,647	205,715
Less: Net (loss) earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests	(1)	34	121	108
Net Earnings Attributable to Martin Marietta Materials, Inc.	159,479	117,544	326,526	205,607
Consolidated Comprehensive Earnings: (See Note 1)
Earnings attributable to Martin Marietta Materials, Inc.	161,036	117,616	327,637	199,024
Earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests	19	37	173	116
Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	$ 161,055	$ 117,653	$ 327,810	$ 199,140
Net Earnings Attributable to Martin Marietta Materials, Inc. Per Common Share:
Basic attributable to common shareholders	$ 2.50	$ 1.75	$ 5.10	$ 3.05
Diluted attributable to common shareholders	$ 2.49	$ 1.74	$ 5.08	$ 3.03
Weighted-Average Common Shares Outstanding:
Basic	63,452	66,830	63,713	67,203
Diluted	63,723	67,108	63,967	67,470
Cash Dividends Per Common Share	$ 0.42	$ 0.40	$ 1.22	$ 1.20