Consolidated Statements of Equity (unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Total	Valero Energy Corporation Stockholders' Equity [Member]	Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Treasury Stock [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Member]	Non-controlling Interests [Member]
Balance as of beginning of period at Dec. 31, 2018	$ 22,731	$ 21,667	$ 7	$ 7,048	$ (14,925)	$ 31,044	$ (1,507)	$ 1,064
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity Roll Forward
Net income (loss)	167	141				141		26
Dividends on common stock	(375)	(375)				(375)
Stock-based compensation expense	10	10		10
Transactions in connection with stock-based compensation plans	(1)	(1)		(2)	1
Open market stock purchases	(34)	(34)			(34)
Acquisition of Valero Energy Partners LP (VLP) publicly held common units	(950)	(328)		(328)				(622)
Other	74	74		74	0	0	0	0
Other comprehensive income (loss)	157	155					155	2
Balance as of end of period at Mar. 31, 2019	21,779	21,309	7	6,802	(14,958)	30,810	(1,352)	470
Balance as of beginning of period at Dec. 31, 2019	22,536	21,803	7	6,821	(15,648)	31,974	(1,351)	733
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity Roll Forward
Net income (loss)	(1,754)	(1,851)				(1,851)		97
Dividends on common stock	(401)	(401)				(401)
Stock-based compensation expense	24	24		24
Transactions in connection with stock-based compensation plans	(17)	(17)		(31)	14
Open market stock purchases	(130)	(130)			(130)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	(1)							(1)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(572)	(586)					(586)	14
Balance as of end of period at Mar. 31, 2020	$ 19,685	$ 18,842	$ 7	$ 6,814	$ (15,764)	$ 29,722	$ (1,937)	$ 843