Consolidated Statements of Equity (unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Total	Valero Energy Corporation Stockholders' Equity [Member]	Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Treasury Stock [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Member]	Non-controlling Interests [Member]
Balance as of beginning of period at Dec. 31, 2019	$ 22,536	$ 21,803	$ 7	$ 6,821	$ (15,648)	$ 31,974	$ (1,351)	$ 733
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity Roll Forward
Net loss	(1,754)	(1,851)				(1,851)		97
Dividends on common stock	(401)	(401)				(401)
Stock-based compensation expense	24	24		24
Transactions in connection with stock-based compensation plans	(17)	(17)		(31)	14
Open market stock purchases	(130)	(130)			(130)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	(1)							(1)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(572)	(586)					(586)	14
Balance as of end of period at Mar. 31, 2020	19,685	18,842	7	6,814	(15,764)	29,722	(1,937)	843
Balance as of beginning of period at Dec. 31, 2020	19,642	18,801	7	6,814	(15,719)	28,953	(1,254)	841
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity Roll Forward
Net loss	(622)	(704)				(704)		82
Dividends on common stock	(400)	(400)				(400)
Stock-based compensation expense	28	28		28
Transactions in connection with stock-based compensation plans	(13)	(13)		(32)	19
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	(2)							(2)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	94	89					89	5
Balance as of end of period at Mar. 31, 2021	$ 18,727	$ 17,801	$ 7	$ 6,810	$ (15,700)	$ 27,849	$ (1,165)	$ 926