Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited) (USD $) In Millions, except Per Share data	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010
Consolidated Statements of Income
Operating revenues (a)	$ 33,713	$ 21,015	$ 91,314	$ 60,069
Costs and expenses:
Cost of sales	30,033	18,915	82,981	54,198
Operating expenses:
Refining	870	753	2,427	2,210
Retail	177	169	508	484
Ethanol	103	96	302	267
General and administrative expenses	161	139	442	367
Depreciation and amortization expense	390	353	1,141	1,043
Asset impairment loss	0	0	0	2
Total costs and expenses	31,734	20,425	87,801	58,571
Operating income	1,979	590	3,513	1,498
Other income, net	1	17	28	29
Interest and debt expense, net of capitalized interest	(88)	(119)	(312)	(363)
Income from continuing operations before income tax expense	1,892	488	3,229	1,164
Income tax expense	689	185	1,178	421
Income from continuing operations	1,203	303	2,051	743
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income taxes	0	(11)	(7)	19
Net income	1,203	292	2,044	762
Less: Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	0	(1)	0
Net income attributable to Valero Energy Corporation stockholders	1,203	292	2,045	762
Net income attributable to Valero Energy Corporation stockholders:
Continuing operations	1,203	303	2,052	743
Discontinued operations	0	(11)	(7)	19
Total	1,203	292	2,045	762
Earnings per common share:
Continuing operations	$ 2.12	$ 0.54	$ 3.61	$ 1.31
Discontinued operations	$ 0.00	$ (0.02)	$ (0.01)	$ 0.03
Total	$ 2.12	$ 0.52	$ 3.6	$ 1.34
Weighted-average common shares outstanding (in millions)	564	564	566	563
Earnings per common share - assuming dilution:
Continuing operations	$ 2.11	$ 0.53	$ 3.59	$ 1.31
Discontinued operations	$ 0.00	$ (0.02)	$ (0.01)	$ 0.03
Total	$ 2.11	$ 0.51	$ 3.58	$ 1.34
Weighted-average common shares outstanding - assuming dilution (in millions)	569	568	572	567
Dividends per common share	$ 0.05	$ 0.05	$ 0.15	$ 0.15
Supplemental Information [Abstract]
(a) Includes excise taxes on sales by our U.S. retail system	$ 229	$ 234	$ 670	$ 667