Earnings Per Common Share (Details) (USD $) In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Earnings per common share from continuing operations:
Net income (loss) attributable to Valero stockholders from continuing operations	$ 2,097	$ 923	$ (273)
Less dividends paid:
Weighted-average common shares outstanding	563	563	541
Earnings per common share from continuing operations:
Distributed earnings	$ 0.30	$ 0.2	$ 0.60
Total earnings per common share from continuing operations	$ 3.7	$ 1.63	$ (0.5)
Earnings per common share from continuing operations – assuming dilution:
Net income (loss) attributable to Valero stockholders from continuing operations	2,097	923	(273)
Weighted-average common shares outstanding	563	563	541
Common equivalent shares:
Weighted-average common shares outstanding - assuming dilution	569	568	541
Earnings per common share from continuing operations - assuming dilution	$ 3.69	$ 1.62	$ (0.5)
Restricted Stock [Member]
Less dividends paid:
Weighted-average common shares outstanding	3	3	2
Earnings per common share from continuing operations:
Distributed earnings	$ 0.30	$ 0.20	$ 0.60
Undistributed earnings (loss)	$ 3.40	$ 1.43	$ 0.00
Total earnings per common share from continuing operations	$ 3.7	$ 1.63	$ 0.6
Earnings per common share from continuing operations – assuming dilution:
Weighted-average common shares outstanding	3	3	2
Common Stock [Member]
Earnings per common share from continuing operations:
Net income (loss) attributable to Valero stockholders from continuing operations	2,097	923	(273)
Less dividends paid:
Common stock	168	113	323
Nonvested restricted stock	1	1	1
Undistributed earnings (loss)	1,928	809	(597)
Weighted-average common shares outstanding	563	563	541
Earnings per common share from continuing operations:
Distributed earnings	$ 0.3	$ 0.2	$ 0.6
Undistributed earnings (loss)	$ 3.4	$ 1.43	$ (1.1)
Total earnings per common share from continuing operations	$ 3.7	$ 1.63	$ (0.5)
Earnings per common share from continuing operations – assuming dilution:
Net income (loss) attributable to Valero stockholders from continuing operations	$ 2,097	$ 923	$ (273)
Weighted-average common shares outstanding	563	563	541
Common equivalent shares:
Stock options	4	3	0
Performance awards and unvested restricted stock	2	2	0
Weighted-average common shares outstanding - assuming dilution	569	568	541
Earnings per common share from continuing operations - assuming dilution	$ 3.69	$ 1.62	$ (0.50)