Information on Business Segments (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended		109 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 7,721	$ 1,859	$ 8,624	$ 5,402	$ 123,421
Operating income (loss)	(9,032)	(13,864)	(21,954)	(26,750)	(269,544)
Interest expense	5,794	2,312	7,395	5,588
Depreciation expense	778	845	1,604	1,694	18,602
Acquisitions of plant, property and equipment	968	761	3,837	2,758	82,330
Total assets	101,972		101,972		101,972	116,355
Intercompany Eliminations
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total assets	(53,758)		(53,758)		(53,758)	(49,814)
Operating Segments | Gevo
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	2,216	949	3,102	2,073
Operating income (loss)	(5,979)	(10,904)	(13,833)	(21,317)
Interest expense	4,789	1,455	5,913	3,712
Depreciation expense	239	311	480	627
Acquisitions of plant, property and equipment	17	14	49	262
Total assets	98,266		98,266		98,266	100,888
Operating Segments | Gevo Development / Agri-Energy
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	5,505	910	5,522	3,329
Operating income (loss)	(3,053)	(2,960)	(8,121)	(5,433)
Interest expense	1,005	857	1,482	1,876
Depreciation expense	539	534	1,124	1,067
Acquisitions of plant, property and equipment	951	747	3,788	2,496
Total assets	$ 57,464		$ 57,464		$ 57,464	$ 65,281