Consolidated Statements Of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Statement of Other Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 343,371	$ 247,020
Securities available for sale
Unrealized gain on available-for-sale securities	19	305
Reclassification adjustments to net income on sale or maturity of marketable securities	(3)	(117)
Net unrealized gain (loss) on available-for-sale securities	16	188
Change in Fair Value of Cash Flow Hedge	(10,346)	(140,697)
Reclassification adjustments to net income on settlement of cash flow hedging instruments	27,704	(16,192)
Amortization of unrealized loss attributable to discontinued cash flow hedges	939	1,274
Ner unrealized gain (loss) before income taxes	18,297	(155,615)
Actuarial loss on post-retirement healthcare plan reclassified to net income upon partial plan settlement	1,726	0
Other comprehensive income (loss) before income taxes	20,039	(155,427)
Income tax expense (benefit)	(7,488)	60,670
Other comprehensive income (loss)	12,551	(94,757)
Total comprehensive income	355,922	152,263
Less noncontrolling interest in comprehensive income	10,494	5,861
Comprehensive income attributable to HollyFrontier stockholders	$ 345,428	$ 146,402