Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited) (USD $) In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011
Consolidated Statements of Income
Operating revenues (a)	$ 34,662	$ 31,293	$ 69,829	$ 57,601
Costs and expenses:
Cost of sales	31,621	28,380	64,656	52,948
Operating expenses:
Refining	868	813	1,832	1,557
Retail	170	169	336	331
Ethanol	85	104	172	199
General and administrative expenses	171	151	335	281
Depreciation and amortization expense	386	386	770	751
Asset impairment loss	0	0	611	0
Total costs and expenses	33,301	30,003	68,712	56,067
Operating income	1,361	1,290	1,117	1,534
Other income (expense), net	(5)	10	1	27
Interest and debt expense, net of capitalized interest	(74)	(107)	(173)	(224)
Income from continuing operations before income tax expense	1,282	1,193	945	1,337
Income tax expense	452	449	547	489
Income from continuing operations	830	744	398	848
Loss from discontinued operations, net of income taxes	0	(1)	0	(7)
Net income	830	743	398	841
Less: Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	(1)	(1)	(1)	(1)
Net income attributable to Valero Energy Corporation stockholders	831	744	399	842
Net income attributable to Valero Energy Corporation stockholders:
Continuing operations	831	745	399	849
Discontinued operations	0	(1)	0	(7)
Total	831	744	399	842
Earnings per common share:
Continuing operations	$ 1.50	$ 1.31	$ 0.72	$ 1.49
Discontinued operations	$ 0.00	$ 0.00	$ 0.00	$ (0.01)
Total	$ 1.50	$ 1.31	$ 0.72	$ 1.48
Weighted-average common shares outstanding (in millions)	550	567	550	567
Earnings per common share - assuming dilution:
Continuing operations	$ 1.50	$ 1.30	$ 0.72	$ 1.48
Discontinued operations	$ 0.00	$ 0.00	$ 0.00	$ (0.01)
Total	$ 1.50	$ 1.30	$ 0.72	$ 1.47
Weighted-average common shares outstanding - assuming dilution (in millions)	555	574	556	573
Dividends per common share	$ 0.15	$ 0.05	$ 0.30	$ 0.10
Supplemental Information [Abstract]
(a) Includes excise taxes on sales by our U.S. retail system	$ 241	$ 227	$ 475	$ 441