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)	(798)	(1,062)				(1,062)		264
Dividends on common stock	(1,200)	(1,200)				(1,200)
Stock-based compensation expense	48	48		48
Transactions in connection with stock-based compensation plans	(16)	(16)		(35)	19
Open market stock purchases	(130)	(130)			(130)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	(208)							(208)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(216)	(220)					(220)	4
Balance as of end of period at Sep. 30, 2020	20,016	19,223	7	6,834	(15,759)	29,712	(1,571)	793
Balance as of beginning of period at Jun. 30, 2020	20,634	19,847	7	6,824	(15,760)	30,575	(1,799)	787
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity Roll Forward
Net income (loss)	(379)	(464)				(464)		85
Dividends on common stock	(399)	(399)				(399)
Stock-based compensation expense	12	12		12
Transactions in connection with stock-based compensation plans	(1)	(1)		(2)	1
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	(81)							(81)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	230	228					228	2
Balance as of end of period at Sep. 30, 2020	20,016	19,223	7	6,834	(15,759)	29,712	(1,571)	793
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)	178	(79)				(79)		257
Dividends on common stock	(1,201)	(1,201)				(1,201)
Stock-based compensation expense	52	52		52
Transactions in connection with stock-based compensation plans	(13)	(13)		(36)	23
Contributions from noncontrolling interests	25							25
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	(2)							(2)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(92)	(84)					(84)	(8)
Balance as of end of period at Sep. 30, 2021	18,589	17,476	7	6,830	(15,696)	27,673	(1,338)	1,113
Balance as of beginning of period at Jun. 30, 2021	18,704	17,651	7	6,819	(15,696)	27,610	(1,089)	1,053
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity Roll Forward
Net income (loss)	508	463				463		45
Dividends on common stock	(400)	(400)				(400)
Stock-based compensation expense	11	11		11
Contributions from noncontrolling interests	25							25
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(259)	(249)					(249)	(10)
Balance as of end of period at Sep. 30, 2021	$ 18,589	$ 17,476	$ 7	$ 6,830	$ (15,696)	$ 27,673	$ (1,338)	$ 1,113