Consolidated Statements Of Income (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012
Income Statement [Abstract]
Sales and other revenues	$ 5,298,848	$ 4,806,681	$ 10,006,637	$ 9,738,419
Operating costs and expenses:
Cost of products sold (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)	4,456,808	3,681,764	8,249,343	7,868,681
Operating expenses (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)	277,542	222,726	542,641	464,353
General and administrative expenses (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)	34,000	32,106	63,198	59,634
Depreciation and amortization	70,492	56,948	142,254	113,050
Total operating costs and expenses	4,838,842	3,993,544	8,997,436	8,505,718
Income from operations	460,006	813,137	1,009,201	1,232,701
Other income (expense):
Earnings of equity method investments	(1,089)	886	(1,030)	1,603
Interest income	778	681	2,309	1,141
Interest expense	(19,794)	(26,942)	(41,114)	(60,257)
Loss on early extinguishment of debt	(22,109)	0	(22,109)	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Realized Gain (Loss)	0	326	0	326
Other income (expense) total	(42,214)	(25,049)	(61,944)	(57,187)
Income before income taxes	417,792	788,088	947,257	1,175,514
Income tax provision:
Current	143,439	285,937	350,066	428,807
Deferred	8,604	(219)	(11,929)	(2,683)
Income tax provision total	152,043	285,718	338,137	426,124
Net income	265,749	502,370	609,120	749,390
Less net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	8,768	8,871	18,470	14,195
Net income attributable to HollyFrontier stockholders	$ 256,981	$ 493,499	$ 590,650	$ 735,195
Earnings per share attributable to HollyFrontier stockholders:
Basic	$ 1.27	$ 2.40	$ 2.91	$ 3.55
Diluted	$ 1.27	$ 2.39	$ 2.91	$ 3.54
Cash dividends declared per common share	$ 0.80	$ 0.65	$ 1.60	$ 1.25
Average number of common shares outstanding:
Basic	201,543	205,727	202,131	207,129
Diluted	201,905	206,481	202,485	207,938