Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended												12 Months Ended			6 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011		Sep. 30, 2011		Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010		Sep. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2010		Mar. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009	Jun. 30, 2010 Delaware City Refinery [Member]		Dec. 31, 2010 Paulsboro Refinery [Member]
Results of operations
Operating revenues	$ 34,673	[1]	$ 33,713	[2]	$ 31,293	$ 26,308	$ 22,164		$ 21,015	$ 20,561		$ 18,493	$ 125,987	$ 82,233	$ 64,599
Operating income	167	[1]	1,979	[2]	1,290	244	378		590	904		4	3,680	1,876	83
Income from continuing operations	45	[1]	1,203	[2]	744	104	180		303	520		(80)	2,096	923	(273)
Net income (loss)	45	[1]	1,203	[2]	743	98	(438)	[3]	292	583	[4]	(113)	2,089	324	(1,982)
Net income (loss) attributable to Valero Energy Corporation stockholders	45	[1]	1,203	[2]	744	98	(438)	[3]	292	583	[4]	(113)	2,090	324	(1,982)
Earnings (loss) per common share from continuing operations - assuming dilution	$ 0.08	[1]	$ 2.11	[2]	$ 1.30	$ 0.18	$ 0.32	[3]	$ 0.53	$ 0.92	[4]	$ (0.14)	$ 3.69	$ 0.57	$ (3.67)
Earnings (loss) per common share - assuming dilution	$ 0.08	[1]	$ 2.11	[2]	$ 1.30	$ 0.17	$ (0.77)	[3]	$ 0.51	$ 1.03	[4]	$ (0.20)	$ 3.68	$ 0.57	$ (3.67)
Quarterly Financial Data (Textual)
Gain (loss) on sale of refinery assets													$ (12)	$ (888)	$ (1,868)	$ 92	[4]	$ (980)	[3]

[1] Includes the operations related to the Meraux Acquisition beginning October 1, 2011.

[2] Includes the operations related to the Pembroke Acquisition beginning August 1, 2011.

[3] Net loss for the quarter ended December 31, 2010 includes the $980 million pre-tax loss related to the sale of the Paulsboro Refinery as discussed in Note 3.

[4] Net income for the quarter ended June 30, 2010 includes the $92 million pre-tax gain related to the sale of the Delaware City Refinery as discussed in Note 3.