Information on Business Segments (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 27,213	$ 30,137	$ 28,266
Loss from operations	(23,985)	(31,927)	(39,777)
Interest expense	7,837	8,243	12,024
Depreciation and amortization expense	6,747	6,573	4,880
Acquisitions of plant, property and equipment	5,938	1,464	4,894
Total assets	112,324	102,831
Intercompany Eliminations
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total assets	(154,497)	(155,224)
Gevo
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	2,425	2,911	4,718
Loss from operations	(11,045)	(19,723)	(26,567)
Interest expense	7,789	8,147	10,446
Depreciation and amortization expense	738	856	937
Acquisitions of plant, property and equipment	350	7	116
Gevo | Operating Segments
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total assets	110,072	100,394
Gevo Development / Agri-Energy
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	24,788	27,226	23,548
Loss from operations	(12,940)	(12,204)	(13,210)
Interest expense	48	96	1,578
Depreciation and amortization expense	6,009	5,717	3,943
Acquisitions of plant, property and equipment	5,588	1,457	$ 4,778
Gevo Development / Agri-Energy | Operating Segments
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total assets	$ 156,749	$ 157,661