Earnings Per Common Share (Details) (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
Earnings per common share from continuing operations:
Net income attributable to Valero stockholders from continuing operations	$ 1,203	$ 303	$ 2,052	$ 743
Common stock			85	85
Weighted-average common shares outstanding	564	564	566	563
Earnings per common share:
Distributed earnings	$ 0.05	$ 0.05	$ 0.15	$ 0.15
Total earnings per common share from continuing operations	$ 2.12	$ 0.54	$ 3.61	$ 1.31
Earnings per common share from continuing operations - assuming dilution
Net income attributable to Valero stockholders from continuing operations	1,203	303	2,052	743
Weighted-average common shares outstanding	564	564	566	563
Common equivalent shares:
Weighted-average common shares outstanding - assuming dilution (in millions)	569	568	572	567
Earnings per common share from continuing operations - assuming dilution	$ 2.11	$ 0.53	$ 3.59	$ 1.31
Common Stock [Member]
Earnings per common share from continuing operations:
Net income attributable to Valero stockholders from continuing operations	1,203	303	2,052	743
Common stock	28	28	85	85
Nonvested restricted stock	0	0	0	0
Undistributed earnings	1,175	275	1,967	658
Weighted-average common shares outstanding	564	564	566	563
Earnings per common share:
Distributed earnings	$ 0.05	$ 0.05	$ 0.15	$ 0.15
Undistributed earnings	$ 2.07	$ 0.49	$ 3.46	$ 1.16
Total earnings per common share from continuing operations	$ 2.12	$ 0.54	$ 3.61	$ 1.31
Earnings per common share from continuing operations - assuming dilution
Net income attributable to Valero stockholders from continuing operations	$ 1,203	$ 303	$ 2,052	$ 743
Weighted-average common shares outstanding	564	564	566	563
Common equivalent shares:
Stock options	3	3	4	3
Performance awards and unvested restricted stock	2	1	2	1
Weighted-average common shares outstanding - assuming dilution (in millions)	569	568	572	567
Earnings per common share from continuing operations - assuming dilution	$ 2.11	$ 0.53	$ 3.59	$ 1.31
Restricted Stock [Member]
Earnings per common share from continuing operations:
Weighted-average common shares outstanding	3	3	3	3
Earnings per common share:
Distributed earnings	$ 0.05	$ 0.05	$ 0.15	$ 0.15
Undistributed earnings	$ 2.07	$ 0.49	$ 3.46	$ 1.16
Total earnings per common share from continuing operations	$ 2.12	$ 0.54	$ 3.61	$ 1.31
Earnings per common share from continuing operations - assuming dilution
Weighted-average common shares outstanding	3	3	3	3

Aggregate dividends paid during the period for each share of common stock outstanding.

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