Variable Interest Entities, Non-Consolidated (Details) - MVP Terminalling, LLC (MVP) [Member] $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2018 USD ($) member
Variable Interest Entity, Not Primary Beneficiary [Member]
Variable Interest Entity (Textual)
Ownership interest (percent)	50.00%
Number of members \| member	2
Maximum exposure to loss	$ 247
VLO equity investment in MVP	$ 247
Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary [Member] \| Magellan Midstream Partners LP (Magellan) [Member]
Variable Interest Entity (Textual)
Ownership interest (percent)	50.00%

The reporting entity's maximum amount of exposure to loss as a result of its involvement with the Variable Interest Entity (VIE).

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 810
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 6
-Subparagraph (c)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=108788376&loc=d3e5747-111685

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 810
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4
-Subparagraph b
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=108788376&loc=d3e5728-111685

+ Details

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

- Definition

Carrying amount of the assets in the reporting entity's statement of financial position that relate to the reporting entity's variable interest in the Variable Interest Entity (VIE), where the reporting entity is not the VIE's primary beneficiary.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 810
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4
-Subparagraph a
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=108788376&loc=d3e5728-111685

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityNonconsolidatedCarryingAmountAssets
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
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

Variable Interest Entity, Qualitative or Quantitative Information, Number of Members

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

Variable Interest Entity Textual [Abstract]

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	vlo_VariableInterestEntityTextualAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	vlo_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- 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:

- Details

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

- Details

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