Debt (Carrying Amounts Of Long-Term Debt) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total long-term debt	$ 1,283,245	$ 1,336,238
Holly Corporation [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total long-term debt	471,332	471,565
9.875% Senior Notes Due 2017 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal	286,812	286,812
Unamortized discount	(7,139)	(7,468)
Long-term debt carrying amount	279,673	279,344
6.875% Senior Notes Due 2018 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal	150,000	150,000
Unamortized premium	5,700	5,910
Long-term debt carrying amount	155,700	155,910
Holly Financing Obligation [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Financing obligation	35,959	36,311
HEP [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total HEP long-term debt	811,913	864,673
Total long-term debt	811,913	864,673
HEP [Member] \| Holly Energy Partners Credit Agreement Member
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
HEP Credit Agreement	368,000	421,000
HEP [Member] \| 8.25% Senior Notes Due 2018 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal	150,000	150,000
Unamortized discount	(1,525)	(1,602)
Long-term debt carrying amount	148,475	148,398
HEP [Member] \| 6.5% Senior Notes Due 2020 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal	300,000	300,000
Unamortized discount	(4,562)	(4,725)
Long-term debt carrying amount	$ 295,438	$ 295,275

Amount equal to the present value (the principal) at the beginning of the lease term of minimum lease payments during the lease term (excluding that portion of the payments representing executory costs such as insurance, maintenance, and taxes to be paid by the lessor, together with any profit thereon) net of payments or other amounts applied to the principal through the balance sheet date.

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Including current and noncurrent portions, aggregate carrying amount of long-term borrowings as of the balance sheet date before deducting unamortized discount or premiums (if any). May include notes payable, bonds payable, commercial loans, mortgage loans, convertible debt, subordinated debt and other types of debt, which had initial maturities beyond one year or beyond the normal operating cycle, if longer.

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The amount of debt discount that was originally recognized at the issuance of the instrument that has yet to be amortized.

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The amount of debt premium that was originally recognized at the issuance of the instrument that has yet to be amortized.

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Amount borrowed under the credit facility as of the balance sheet date.

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Carrying amount of long-term debt, net of unamortized discount or premium, excluding amounts to be repaid within one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer (current maturities). Includes, but not limited to, notes payable, bonds payable, debentures, mortgage loans and commercial paper. Excludes capital lease obligations.

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Carrying value as of the balance sheet date of debt not otherwise defined (with maturities initially due after one year or beyond the operating cycle if longer), excluding current portion.

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Carrying value as of the balance sheet date of Notes with the highest claim on the assets of the issuer in case of bankruptcy or liquidation (with maturities initially due after one year or beyond the operating cycle if longer), excluding current portion. Senior note holders are paid off in full before any payments are made to junior note holders.

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