This item represents the carrying amount on the entity's balance sheet of its investment in common stock of an equity method investee. This is not an indicator of the fair value of the investment, rather it is the initial cost adjusted for the entity's share of earnings and losses of the investee, adjusted for any distributions (dividends) and other than temporary impairment (OTTI) losses recognized.

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 323
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109237563&loc=d3e33749-111570

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 280
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 25
-Subparagraph (a)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=115929826&loc=d3e8813-108599

Reference 3: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.12)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestments
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_OtherCommitmentsAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The cash outflow associated with the investment in or advances to an entity in which the reporting entity shares control of the entity with another party or group.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 13
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109223946&loc=d3e3213-108585

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireInterestInJointVenture
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The cash outflow to purchase long lived physical asset for use in the normal oil and gas operations and to purchase mineral interests in oil and gas properties not intended for resale.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 13
-Subparagraph (c)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109223946&loc=d3e3213-108585

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireOilAndGasPropertyAndEquipment
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount before accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization of physical assets used in the normal conduct of business and not intended for resale. Examples include, but are not limited to, land, buildings, machinery and equipment, office equipment, and furniture and fixtures.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 360
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6391035&loc=d3e2868-110229

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.13)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentGross
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The liability due as of the balance sheet date for leasebacks accounted for using the deposit method.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 840
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=84164451&loc=d3e36991-112694

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 840
-SubTopic 40
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=77913982&loc=d3e50796-112755

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_SaleLeasebackTransactionAmountDueUnderFinancingArrangement
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Percentage of the Variable Interest Entity's (VIE) voting interest owned by (or beneficial interest in) the reporting entity (directly or indirectly).

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 810
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 5A
-Subparagraph (d)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=108788376&loc=SL6759159-111685

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityOwnershipPercentage
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Term of the entity's agreement renewal option that may be requested.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	vlo_DurationofRenewalOption
Namespace Prefix:	vlo_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Represents the number of times an entity may request to renew or extend the term of an agreement or contract.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	vlo_NumberOfRenewalOptions
Namespace Prefix:	vlo_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Number of Properties

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	vlo_NumberofProperties
Namespace Prefix:	vlo_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Pipeline Capacity

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	vlo_PipelineCapacity
Namespace Prefix:	vlo_
Data Type:	us-types:flowItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Terminal Storage Capacity

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	vlo_TerminalStorageCapacity
Namespace Prefix:	vlo_
Data Type:	num:volumeItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Terminalling Agreement, Initial Term

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	vlo_TerminallingAgreementInitialTerm
Namespace Prefix:	vlo_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Undivided Ownership Interest in Assets Percentage

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	vlo_UndividedOwnershipInterestinAssetsPercentage
Namespace Prefix:	vlo_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LeaseArrangementTypeAxis=vlo_TerminallingAgreementMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	srt_CounterpartyNameAxis=vlo_MVPTerminallingLLCMVPMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis=us-gaap_ConstructionInProgressMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationDescriptionOfPropertyAxis=vlo_MVPTerminalMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis=us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_AdjustmentsForNewAccountingPronouncementsAxis=us-gaap_AccountingStandardsUpdate201602Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	srt_CounterpartyNameAxis=vlo_MagellanMidstreamPartnersLPMagellanMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis=us-gaap_ScenarioForecastMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	srt_RangeAxis=srt_MinimumMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	srt_RangeAxis=srt_MaximumMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationDescriptionOfPropertyAxis=vlo_CentralTexasPipelineMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationDescriptionOfPropertyAxis=vlo_SunrisePipelineSystemMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationDescriptionOfPropertyAxis=vlo_ColoradoCityStorageTanksMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	srt_OwnershipAxis=vlo_ValeroEnergyCorporationMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis=us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityNotPrimaryBeneficiaryMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	srt_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis=vlo_MVPTerminallingLLCMVPMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Commitments and Contingencies, Narrative (Details) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended			16 Months Ended	22 Months Ended	28 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018 USD ($) bbl / d renewal property MBbls	Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2018 USD ($) bbl / d renewal MBbls	Jun. 30, 2019 USD ($)	Jan. 01, 2020 USD ($)	Jan. 01, 2019 USD ($)
Commitments and Contingencies (Textual)
MVP Terminal construction costs	$ 42,473	$ 40,010		$ 42,473
Contributions to MVP	181	406	$ 4
Equity investment in MVP	542	530		$ 542
Cost of undivided interest in pipeline	$ 212	72	$ 0
Terminalling Agreement [Member] \| MVP Terminalling, LLC (MVP) [Member]
Commitments and Contingencies (Textual)
Initial term of terminal agreement	12 years
Number of available automatic renewals \| renewal	2			2
Automatic renewal term of terminalling agreement	5 years
Construction in Progress [Member]
Commitments and Contingencies (Textual)
MVP Terminal construction costs	$ 1,960	$ 1,274		$ 1,960
MVP Terminal [Member]
Commitments and Contingencies (Textual)
Approximate storage capacity of terminal (in thousands of barrels) \| MBbls	5,000			5,000
Contributions to MVP	$ 166			$ 247
MVP Terminal [Member] \| Subsequent Event [Member] \| Topic 842 [Member]
Commitments and Contingencies (Textual)
MVP Terminal construction costs							$ (539)
Long-term liability recorded							(292)
Equity investment in MVP							$ 247
MVP Terminal [Member] \| Magellan Midstream Partners LP (Magellan) [Member]
Commitments and Contingencies (Textual)
Long-term liability recorded	292			292
MVP Terminal [Member] \| Expected Impact [Member]
Commitments and Contingencies (Textual)
Contributions to MVP						$ 420
MVP Terminal [Member] \| Construction in Progress [Member]
Commitments and Contingencies (Textual)
MVP Terminal construction costs	$ 539			$ 539
MVP Terminal [Member] \| Minimum [Member] \| Construction in Progress [Member] \| Expected Impact [Member]
Commitments and Contingencies (Textual)
MVP Terminal construction costs						840
MVP Terminal [Member] \| Maximum [Member] \| Construction in Progress [Member] \| Expected Impact [Member]
Commitments and Contingencies (Textual)
MVP Terminal construction costs						$ 1,400
Central Texas Pipeline [Member]
Commitments and Contingencies (Textual)
Undivided interest in project (percent)	40.00%			40.00%
Pipeline capacity (barrels per day) \| bbl / d	150,000			150,000
Cost of undivided interest in pipeline	$ 73			$ 80
Central Texas Pipeline [Member] \| Expected Impact [Member]
Commitments and Contingencies (Textual)
Cost of undivided interest in pipeline					$ 170
Sunrise Pipeline System [Member]
Commitments and Contingencies (Textual)
Undivided interest in project (percent)	20.00%			20.00%
Pipeline capacity (barrels per day) \| bbl / d	500,000			500,000
Cost of undivided interest in pipeline	$ 139
Colorado City Storage Tanks [Member]
Commitments and Contingencies (Textual)
Approximate storage capacity of terminal (in thousands of barrels) \| MBbls	270			270
Number of properties \| property	2
Valero Energy Corporation [Member] \| MVP Terminal [Member]
Commitments and Contingencies (Textual)
Approximate storage capacity of terminal (in thousands of barrels) \| MBbls	4,000			4,000
Variable Interest Entity, Not Primary Beneficiary [Member] \| MVP Terminalling, LLC (MVP) [Member]
Commitments and Contingencies (Textual)
Membership interest (percent)	50.00%
Variable Interest Entity, Not Primary Beneficiary [Member] \| MVP Terminalling, LLC (MVP) [Member] \| Expected Impact [Member]
Commitments and Contingencies (Textual)
Membership interest (percent)						50.00%