Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Components And Allocated Tax Effects Of Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Abstract]
Unrealized gain (loss) on available-for-sale securities, Before-Tax	$ (236)	$ (516)	$ 114
Unrealized gain (loss) on hedging activities, Before-Tax	(191,039)	176,936	(923)
Pension plan curtailment, Before-Tax	7,102
Minimum pension liability adjustment, Before-Tax	(9,161)	(71)	(1,470)
Retirement medical obligation adjustment, Before-Tax	53,450	(3,515)	(238)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before income taxes	(139,884)	172,834	(2,517)
Less other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest, Before-Tax	1,364	2,815	(1,623)
Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to HollyFrontier stockholders, Before-Tax	(141,248)	170,019	(894)
Unrealized gain (loss) on available-for-sale securities, Tax Expense (Benefit)	(95)	(199)	42
Unrealized gain (loss) on hedging activities, Tax Expense (Benefit)	(74,846)	67,732	275
Pension plan curtailment, Tax Expense (Benefit)	2,763
Retirement medical obligation adjustment, Tax Expense (Benefit)	20,792	(1,367)	(93)
Minimum pension liability adjustment, Tax Expense (Benefit)	(3,564)	(28)	(572)
Other comprehensive income (loss), Tax Expense (Benefit)	(54,950)	66,138	(348)
Less other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest, Tax Expense (Benefit)	0	0	0
Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to HollyFrontier stockholders, Tax Expense (Benefit)	(54,950)	66,138	(348)
Unrealized gain (loss) on available-for-sale securities, After-Tax	(141)	(317)	72
Unrealized gain (loss) on hedging activities, After-Tax	(116,193)	109,204	(1,198)
Pension plan curtailment, After-Tax	4,339
Retirement medical obligation adjustment, After-Tax	32,658	(2,148)	(145)
Minimum pension liability adjustment, After-Tax	(5,597)	(43)	(898)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(84,934)	106,696	(2,169)
Less other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest, After-Tax	1,364	2,815	(1,623)
Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to HollyFrontier stockholders, After-Tax	$ (86,298)	$ 103,881	$ (546)