CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended									12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Sep. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Sales	$ 3,348,911	$ 3,245,653	$ 3,507,540	$ 2,979,626	$ 3,274,301	$ 3,468,835	$ 3,126,575	$ 2,802,891		$ 13,081,730	$ 12,672,602	$ 8,920,552
Cost of sales										12,418,973	12,022,193	8,337,500
Gross profit	151,001	187,769	167,143	156,844	221,844	134,974	149,261	144,330		662,757	650,409	583,052
Costs and operating expenses:
Selling, general and administrative expenses										170,937	171,002	155,033
Operating expenses										342,382	321,115	283,650
(Gain) loss on trustee taxes								52,600	$ (16,200)		52,627	(16,194)
Lease exit and termination											(3,506)
Lease exit and termination gain, ASC842						(3,500)				(493)		16,194
Amortization expense										11,431	10,960	9,206
Net (gain) loss on sale and disposition of assets	(2,400)	300	(1,100)	500	100	900	3,000	1,900		(2,730)	5,880	(1,624)
Goodwill and long-lived asset impairment	1,400	600								2,022	414	809
Total costs and operating expenses										523,549	453,238	463,268
Operating income	20,682	50,877	37,875	29,774	82,201	8,144	27,619	79,207		139,208	197,171	119,784
Interest expense										(89,856)	(89,145)	(86,230)
Loss on early extinguishment of debt		(13,100)								(13,080)
Income before income tax (expense) benefit										36,272	108,026	33,554
Income tax (expense) benefit										(1,094)	(5,623)	23,563
Net income	(880)	14,893	14,371	6,794	52,170	(14,464)	6,022	58,675		35,178	102,403	57,117
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest										689	1,502	1,635
Net income attributable to Global Partners LP	(828)	15,080	14,489	7,126	52,530	(14,080)	6,413	59,042		35,867	103,905	58,752
Less: General partner’s interest in net income, including incentive distribution rights										1,379	1,033	394
Limited partners' interest in net income	$ (2,824)	$ 13,003	$ 12,441	$ 5,140	$ 50,294	$ (15,062)	$ 6,303	$ 58,646		$ 27,760	$ 100,181	58,358
Basic net income per limited partner unit (in dollars per unit)	$ (0.08)	$ 0.38	$ 0.37	$ 0.15	$ 1.49	$ (0.44)	$ 0.19	$ 1.74		$ 0.82	$ 2.98
Diluted net income per limited partner unit (in dollars per unit)	$ (0.08)	$ 0.38	$ 0.36	$ 0.15	$ 1.47	$ (0.44)	$ 0.19	$ 1.73		$ 0.81	$ 2.95
Series A Preferred Limited Partners
Costs and operating expenses:
Limited partners' interest in net income										$ 6,728	$ 2,691
Common Limited Partners
Costs and operating expenses:
Limited partners' interest in net income										$ 27,760	$ 100,181	$ 58,358
Basic net income per limited partner unit (in dollars per unit)										$ 0.82	$ 2.97	$ 1.74
Diluted net income per limited partner unit (in dollars per unit)										$ 0.81	$ 2.95	$ 1.74
Basic weighted average limited partner units outstanding (in units)										33,810	33,701	33,589
Diluted weighted average limited partner units outstanding (in units)										34,339	33,972	33,634