Consolidated Statements of Earnings and Comprehensive Earnings (Unaudited) - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net Sales	$ 791,684	$ 733,960
Freight and delivery revenues	52,175	54,774
Total revenues	843,859	788,734
Cost of sales	644,617	588,710
Freight and delivery costs	52,175	54,774
Total cost of revenues	696,792	643,484
Gross Profit	147,067	145,250
Selling, general & administrative expenses	69,535	58,349
Acquisition-related expenses, net	22	299
Other operating expenses, net	360	579
Earnings from Operations	77,150	86,023
Interest expense	20,851	20,034
Other nonoperating (income) and expenses, net	(536)	1,224
Earnings before taxes on income	56,835	64,765
Taxes on income	14,528	19,710
Consolidated net earnings	42,307	45,055
Less: Net (loss) earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests	(27)	61
Net Earnings Attributable to Martin Marietta Materials, Inc.	42,334	44,994
Consolidated Comprehensive Earnings: (See Note 1)
Earnings attributable to Martin Marietta Materials, Inc.	44,596	46,783
(Loss) Earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests	(26)	92
Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	$ 44,570	$ 46,875
Net Earnings Attributable to Martin Marietta Materials, Inc. Per Common Share:
Basic attributable to common shareholders	$ 0.67	$ 0.70
Diluted attributable to common shareholders	$ 0.67	$ 0.69
Weighted-Average Common Shares Outstanding:
Basic	63,024	64,158
Diluted	63,319	64,350
Cash Dividends Per Common Share	$ 0.42	$ 0.40