Quarterly Financial Data (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Quarterly Financial Data [Abstract]
Total revenues	$ 88,413	$ 82,130	$ 74,998	$ 87,004	$ 77,876	$ 77,723	$ 75,285	$ 74,298	$ 332,545	$ 305,182	$ 292,560
Operating Income (Loss)	38,343	38,925	32,033	45,453	30,826	34,173	32,520	31,047	154,754	128,566	138,263
Income before Income Taxes	30,484	31,231	24,478	27,855	20,331	23,097	21,641	21,345	114,048	86,414	91,476
Net Income	30,394	31,189	24,450	27,780	20,438	23,057	21,297	21,289	113,813	86,081	91,105
Net Income attributable to Holly Energy Partners	$ 28,668	$ 29,680	$ 23,034	$ 24,143	$ 18,998	$ 21,885	$ 20,167	$ 18,399	$ 105,525	$ 79,449	$ 94,152
Limited partners’ per unit interest in earnings—basic and diluted:	$ 0.33	$ 0.35	$ 0.25	$ 0.27	$ 0.19	$ 0.25	$ 0.23	$ 0.21	$ 1.20	$ 0.88	$ 1.29
Limited Partners' per unit interest in net income - basic and diluted	$ 0.530	$ 0.523	$ 0.515	$ 0.5075	$ 0.500	$ 0.493	$ 0.485	$ 0.478	$ 2.075	$ 1.955	$ 1.835