Debt (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended							3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2013 9.875% Senior Notes Due 2017 [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 9.875% Senior Notes Due 2017 [Member]	Mar. 31, 2013 6.875% Senior Notes Due 2018 [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 6.875% Senior Notes Due 2018 [Member]	Mar. 31, 2013 Holly Frontier Credit Agreement [Member]	Mar. 31, 2013 Plains [Member] Lease [Member]	Mar. 31, 2013 HEP [Member]	Mar. 31, 2012 HEP [Member]	Mar. 31, 2013 HEP [Member] 8.25% Senior Notes Due 2018 [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 HEP [Member] 8.25% Senior Notes Due 2018 [Member]	Mar. 31, 2013 HEP [Member] 6.5% Senior Notes Due 2020 [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 HEP [Member] 6.5% Senior Notes Due 2020 [Member]	Mar. 31, 2013 HEP [Member] Letter of Credit [Member]	Mar. 31, 2013 HEP [Member] Distributions To Unit Holder [Member]	Mar. 31, 2013 HEP [Member] Holly Energy Partners Credit Agreement Member	Dec. 31, 2012 HEP [Member] Holly Energy Partners Credit Agreement Member
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maximum borrowing capacity under revolving credit agreement							$ 1,000,000,000								$ 50,000,000	$ 60,000,000	$ 550,000,000
Borrowings outstanding under revolving credit agreement							29,000,000										368,000,000	421,000,000
Stated interest rate, senior notes			9.875%		6.875%						8.25%		6.50%
Net proceeds from issuance of senior notes - HEP									0	294,750,000
Principal tender on senior notes									0	(157,761,000)
Senior notes			286,812,000	286,812,000	150,000,000	150,000,000					150,000,000	150,000,000	300,000,000	300,000,000
Interest Expense	21,320,000	33,315,000
Proceeds from sale of storage assets								40,000,000
Term of lease, years								15 years
Capitalized interest attributable to construction projects	$ 3,400,000	$ 1,500,000