Consolidated Statements Of Income (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Income Statement [Abstract]
Sales and other revenues	$ 19,764,327	$ 20,160,560	$ 20,090,724
Operating costs and expenses:
Cost of products sold (exclusive of lower of cost or market inventory valuation adjustment)	17,228,385	17,392,227	15,840,643
Lower of cost or market inventory adjustment	397,478	0	0
Cost of Goods Sold	17,625,863	17,392,227	15,840,643
Operating expenses (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)	1,144,940	1,090,850	994,966
General and administrative expenses (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)	114,609	127,963	128,101
Depreciation and amortization	363,381	303,446	242,868
Total operating costs and expenses	19,248,793	18,914,486	17,206,578
Income from operations	515,534	1,246,074	2,884,146
Other income (expense):
Earnings (loss) of equity method investments	(2,007)	(2,072)	2,923
Interest income	4,430	5,556	4,786
Interest expense	(43,646)	(68,050)	(104,186)
Loss on early extinguishment of debt	(7,677)	(22,109)	0
Gain on sale of assets	866	0	326
Other income (expense) total	(48,034)	(86,675)	(96,151)
Income before income taxes	467,500	1,159,399	2,787,995
Income tax provision:
Current	334,834	277,172	932,554
Deferred	(193,662)	114,404	95,408
Income tax provision total	141,172	391,576	1,027,962
Net income	326,328	767,823	1,760,033
Less net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	45,036	31,981	32,861
Net income attributable to HollyFrontier stockholders	$ 281,292	$ 735,842	$ 1,727,172
Earnings per share attributable to HollyFrontier stockholders:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 1.42	$ 3.66	$ 8.41
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 1.42	$ 3.64	$ 8.38
Average number of common shares outstanding:
Basic (in shares)	197,243	200,419	204,379
Diluted (in shares)	197,428	201,234	205,274