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, 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)	(419)	(598)				(598)		179
Dividends on common stock	(801)	(801)				(801)
Stock-based compensation expense	36	36		36
Transactions in connection with stock-based compensation plans	(15)	(15)		(33)	18
Open market stock purchases	(130)	(130)			(130)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	(127)							(127)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(446)	(448)					(448)	2
Balance as of end of period at Jun. 30, 2020	20,634	19,847	7	6,824	(15,760)	30,575	(1,799)	787
Balance as of beginning of period at Mar. 31, 2020	19,685	18,842	7	6,814	(15,764)	29,722	(1,937)	843
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity Roll Forward
Net income (loss)	1,335	1,253				1,253		82
Dividends on common stock	(400)	(400)				(400)
Stock-based compensation expense	12	12		12
Transactions in connection with stock-based compensation plans	2	2		(2)	4
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	(126)							(126)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	126	138					138	(12)
Balance as of end of period at Jun. 30, 2020	20,634	19,847	7	6,824	(15,760)	30,575	(1,799)	787
Balance as of beginning of period at Dec. 31, 2020	19,642	18,801	7	6,814	(15,719)	28,953	(1,254)	841
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity Roll Forward
Net income (loss)	(330)	(542)				(542)		212
Dividends on common stock	(801)	(801)				(801)
Stock-based compensation expense	41	41		41
Transactions in connection with stock-based compensation plans	(13)	(13)		(36)	23
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	(2)							(2)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	167	165					165	2
Balance as of end of period at Jun. 30, 2021	18,704	17,651	7	6,819	(15,696)	27,610	(1,089)	1,053
Balance as of beginning of period at Mar. 31, 2021	18,727	17,801	7	6,810	(15,700)	27,849	(1,165)	926
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity Roll Forward
Net income (loss)	292	162				162		130
Dividends on common stock	(401)	(401)				(401)
Stock-based compensation expense	13	13		13
Transactions in connection with stock-based compensation plans	0	0		(4)	4
Other comprehensive income (loss)	73	76					76	(3)
Balance as of end of period at Jun. 30, 2021	$ 18,704	$ 17,651	$ 7	$ 6,819	$ (15,696)	$ 27,610	$ (1,089)	$ 1,053