Earnings Per Share (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Net income (loss) attributable to HollyFrontier stockholders	$ 280,787	$ (2,401)	$ 597,854	$ (483,701)
Participating securities' share in earnings	3,553	0	7,888	0
Net income (loss) attributable to common shares	$ 277,234	$ (2,401)	$ 589,966	$ (483,701)
Average number of shares of common stock outstanding (in shares)	162,551	162,015	162,518	161,927
Average number of shares of common stock outstanding assuming dilution (in shares)	162,551	162,015	162,518	161,927
Basic earnings (loss) per share (in USD per share)	$ 1.71	$ (0.01)	$ 3.63	$ (2.99)
Diluted earnings (loss) per share (in USD per share)	$ 1.71	$ (0.01)	$ 3.63	$ (2.99)