Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Components And Allocated Tax Effects Of Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Abstract]
Unrealized loss on available-for-sale securities Before-Tax	$ 13	$ (655)		$ (203)	$ (972)
Unrealized gain (loss) on hedging activities, Before-Tax	(111,333)	23,272		(236,147)	24,864
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Finalization of Pension and Non-Pension Postretirement Plan Valuation, before Tax				7,102
Other comprehensive income (loss), Before-Tax	(111,320)	22,626		(229,248)	23,901
Less other comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest, Before-Tax	129	717		529	1,737
Other comprehensive income attributable to HollyFrontier stockholders, Before-Tax	(111,449)	21,909		(229,777)	22,164
Unrealized loss on available-for-sale securities, Tax Expense (Benefit)	6	(252)		(78)	(376)
Unrealized gain on hedging activities, Tax Expense (Benefit)	(43,359)	8,772		(92,068)	8,994
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Finalization of Pension and Non-Pension Postretirement Plan Valuation, Tax				2,763
Other comprehensive income, Tax Expense (Benefit)	(43,353)	8,520		(89,383)	8,618
Less other comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest, Tax Expense (Benefit)	0	0		0	0
Other comprehensive income attributable to HollyFrontier stockholders, Tax Expense (Benefit)	(43,353)	8,520		(89,383)	8,618
Unrealized loss on available-for-sale securities, After-Tax	7	(403)		(125)	(596)
Unrealized gain on hedging activities, After-Tax	(67,974)	14,500		(144,079)	15,870
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Adjustment, before Tax	0	9	700	0	9
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Tax		0			0
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Adjustment, Net of Tax		9			9
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Finalization of Pension and Non-Pension Postretirement Plan Valuation, Net of Tax				4,339
Other comprehensive income, After-Tax	(67,967)	14,106		(139,865)	15,283
Less other comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest, After-Tax	129	717		529	1,737
Other comprehensive income attributable to HollyFrontier stockholders, After-Tax	$ (68,096)	$ 13,389		$ (140,394)	$ 13,546