Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited) (USD $) In Millions, except Per Share data	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010
Consolidated Statements of Income
Operating revenues (a)	$ 31,293	$ 20,561	$ 57,601	$ 39,054
Costs and expenses:
Cost of sales	28,380	18,227	52,948	35,283
Operating expenses:
Refining	813	693	1,557	1,457
Retail	169	163	331	315
Ethanol	104	91	199	171
General and administrative expenses	151	131	281	228
Depreciation and amortization expense	386	350	751	690
Asset impairment loss	0	2	0	2
Total costs and expenses	30,003	19,657	56,067	38,146
Operating income	1,290	904	1,534	908
Other income, net	10	1	27	12
Interest and debt expense, net of capitalized interest	(107)	(117)	(224)	(244)
Income from continuing operations before income tax expense	1,193	788	1,337	676
Income tax expense	449	268	489	236
Income from continuing operations	744	520	848	440
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income taxes	(1)	63	(7)	30
Net income	743	583	841	470
Less: Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	(1)	0	(1)	0
Net income attributable to Valero Energy Corporation stockholders	744	583	842	470
Net income attributable to Valero Energy Corporation stockholders:
Continuing operations	745	520	849	440
Discontinued operations	(1)	63	(7)	30
Total	744	583	842	470
Earnings per common share:
Continuing operations	$ 1.31	$ 0.92	$ 1.49	$ 0.78
Discontinued operations	$ 0.00	$ 0.11	$ (0.01)	$ 0.05
Total	$ 1.31	$ 1.03	$ 1.48	$ 0.83
Weighted-average common shares outstanding (in millions)	567	563	567	563
Earnings per common share - assuming dilution:
Continuing operations	$ 1.3	$ 0.92	$ 1.48	$ 0.78
Discontinued operations	$ 0.00	$ 0.11	$ (0.01)	$ 0.05
Total	$ 1.3	$ 1.03	$ 1.47	$ 0.83
Weighted-average common shares outstanding - assuming dilution (in millions)	574	567	573	567
Dividends per common share	$ 0.05	$ 0.05	$ 0.10	$ 0.10
Supplemental Information [Abstract]
(a) Includes excise taxes on sales by our U.S. retail system	$ 227	$ 225	$ 441	$ 433