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Condensed Statements of Cash Flows (Details 4) - USD ($) $ in Thousands | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2017 | Dec. 31, 2016 | Dec. 31, 2015
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items] |  |  |
Net cash provided by operating activities | $ 448,011 | $ 462,209 | $ 661,832
Capital expenditures | (341,382) | (388,183) | (536,832)
Net proceeds from sale or disposition of property and other | 126,588 | 44,826 | 54,569
Investments | (1,608) | (1,396) | 1,515
Net cash used in investing activities | (214,168) | (305,095) | (382,453)
Issuance of long-term debt | 140,812 | 309,064 | 345,920
Repayment of long-term debt | (217,394) | (315,647) | (566,498)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock | 0 | 0 | 21,898
Dividends paid | (150,727) | (147,156) | (142,835)
Redemption of preferred stock | (15,600) | 0 | 0
Tax withholding on stock-based compensation | (757) | (323) | 0
Net cash used in financing activities | (245,350) | (194,914) | (255,730)
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents | (11,508) | (37,796) | 23,424
Cash and cash equivalents - beginning of year | 46,107 | 83,903 | 60,479
Cash and cash equivalents - end of year | 34,599 | 46,107 | 83,903
MDU Resources Group, Inc. [Member] |  |  |
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items] |  |  |
Net cash provided by operating activities | 284,075 | 238,125 | 255,273
Capital expenditures | (146,370) | (159,570) | (349,985)
Net proceeds from sale or disposition of property and other | (5,665) | 3,784 | 3,268
Investments in and advances to subsidiaries | (40,000) | (5,000) | (7,000)
Advances from subsidiaries | 40,000 | 15,000 | 100,000
Investments | (468) | (129) | 5
Net cash used in investing activities | (152,503) | (145,915) | (253,712)
Issuance of long-term debt | 70,080 | 106,420 | 224,185
Repayment of long-term debt | (37,569) | (50,010) | (108,008)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock | 0 | 0 | 21,898
Dividends paid | (150,727) | (147,156) | (142,835)
Redemption of preferred stock | (15,600) | 0 | 0
Repurchase of common stock | (564) | 0 | 0
Tax withholding on stock-based compensation | (508) | (226) | 0
Net cash used in financing activities | (134,888) | (90,972) | (4,760)
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents | (3,316) | 1,238 | (3,199)
Cash and cash equivalents - beginning of year | 4,159 | 2,921 | 6,120
Cash and cash equivalents - end of year | $ 843 | $ 4,159 | $ 2,921

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