Consolidated Statements Of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income (loss)	$ 1,177,224	$ 881,242	$ (190,945)
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Foreign currency translation adjustment	(38,227)	22,151	0
Unrealized gain (loss) on marketable securities	0	(4)	81
Reclassification adjustment to net income on sale or maturity of marketable securities	0	0	23
Net unrealized gain (loss) on marketable securities	0	(4)	104
Change in fair value of cash flow hedging instruments	5,166	2,919	(17,625)
Reclassification adjustments to net income on settlement of cash flow hedging instruments	6,055	10,448	41,585
Amortization of unrealized loss attributable to discontinued cash flow hedges	0	1,080	1,080
Net unrealized gain on hedging instruments	11,221	14,447	25,040
Actuarial loss on pension plans	(923)	(1,162)	0
Actuarial gain (loss) on post-retirement healthcare plans	2,612	(1,058)	2,363
Post-retirement healthcare plans gain reclassified to net income	(3,481)	(3,481)	(3,482)
Actuarial gain (loss) on retirement restoration plan	258	(123)	(9)
Retirement restoration plan loss reclassified to net income	27	17	15
Net change in other post-retirement benefit obligations	(1,507)	(5,807)	(1,113)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before income taxes	(28,513)	30,787	24,031
Income tax expense (benefit)	(5,585)	11,349	9,322
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(22,928)	19,438	14,709
Total comprehensive income (loss)	1,154,296	900,680	(176,236)
Less noncontrolling interest in comprehensive income	79,264	75,790	69,450
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to HollyFrontier stockholders	$ 1,075,032	$ 824,890	$ (245,686)