Information on Business Segments (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		106 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 903	$ 3,543	$ 115,700
Operating income (loss)	(12,922)	(12,886)	(260,512)
Interest expense	1,601	3,276	25,819
Depreciation expense	826	849	17,824
Acquisitions of plant, property and equipment	2,869	1,997	81,362
Total assets	100,255	116,355	100,255	116,355
Intercompany Eliminations
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total assets	(47,053)	(49,814)	(47,053)
Operating Segments | Gevo
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	886	1,124
Operating income (loss)	(7,854)	(10,413)
Interest expense	1,124	2,257
Depreciation expense	241	316
Acquisitions of plant, property and equipment	32	248
Total assets	88,075	100,888	88,075
Operating Segments | Gevo Development / Agri-Energy
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	17	2,419
Operating income (loss)	(5,068)	(2,473)
Interest expense	477	1,019
Depreciation expense	585	533
Acquisitions of plant, property and equipment	2,837	1,749
Total assets	$ 59,233	$ 65,281	$ 59,233