Quarterly Information (Unaudited) (Schedule Of Quarterly Information) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Sales and other revenues	$ 4,826,801	$ 5,327,122	$ 5,298,848	$ 4,707,789	$ 5,147,507	$ 5,204,798	$ 4,806,681	$ 4,931,738	$ 20,160,560	$ 20,090,724	$ 15,439,528
Operating costs and expenses	4,739,678	5,177,372	4,838,842	4,158,594	4,474,366	4,226,494	3,993,544	4,512,174	18,914,486	17,206,578	13,707,980
Income (loss) from operations	87,123	149,750	460,006	549,195	673,141	978,304	813,137	419,564	1,246,074	2,884,146	1,731,548
Income before income taxes	74,705	137,437	417,792	529,465	652,209	960,272	788,088	387,426	1,159,399	2,787,995
Net income attributable to HollyFrontier stockholders	$ 62,902	$ 82,290	$ 256,981	$ 333,669	$ 391,604	$ 600,373	$ 493,499	$ 241,696	$ 735,842	$ 1,727,172	$ 1,023,397
Net income per share attributable to HollyFrontier stockholders - basic (in dollars per share)	$ 0.32	$ 0.41	$ 1.27	$ 1.64	$ 1.92	$ 2.95	$ 2.40	$ 1.16	$ 3.66	$ 8.41	$ 6.46
Net income per share attributable to HollyFrontier stockholders - diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.31	$ 0.41	$ 1.27	$ 1.63	$ 1.92	$ 2.94	$ 2.39	$ 1.16	$ 3.64	$ 8.38	$ 6.42
Dividends per common share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.80	$ 0.80	$ 0.80	$ 0.80	$ 0.70	$ 1.15	$ 0.65	$ 0.60	$ 3.20	$ 3.10
Basic (in shares)	198,371	199,098	201,543	202,726	202,480	202,655	204,787	207,681	200,419	204,379	157,948
Diluted (in shares)	199,311	199,509	201,905	203,428	203,498	203,532	205,541	208,288	201,234	205,274	158,756