Amount of write-down of assets recognized in the income statement. Includes, but is not limited to, losses from tangible assets, intangible assets and goodwill.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 28

-Subparagraph (b)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=31042434&loc=d3e3602-108585

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 360

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 4

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=8077374&loc=d3e2420-110228

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_AssetImpairmentCharges
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Fair value portion of probable future economic benefits obtained or controlled by an entity as a result of past transactions or events.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 820

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (a)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=25499696&loc=d3e19207-110258

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosureAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Fair value of financial and nonfinancial obligations.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LiabilitiesFairValueDisclosure
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Fair value portion of physical assets used in the normal conduct of business to produce goods and services and not intended for resale. Examples include, but are not limited to, land, buildings, machinery and equipment, office equipment, and furniture and fixtures.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 820

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (a)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=25499696&loc=d3e19190-110258

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentFairValueDisclosure
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount after accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization of physical assets used in the normal conduct of business to produce goods and services and not intended for resale. Examples include, but are not limited to, land, buildings, machinery and equipment, office equipment, and furniture and fixtures.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 360

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6391035&loc=d3e2868-110229

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.13)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 13

-Subparagraph a

-Article 5

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 03

-Paragraph 8

-Article 7

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNet
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Details

Name:	vlo_FairValueMeasurementsTextualsAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	vlo_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Fair Value Measurements, Nonrecurring (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended			1 Months Ended		3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended	1 Months Ended	9 Months Ended	1 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012 Aruba Refinery [Member]	Mar. 31, 2012 Aruba Refinery [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Aruba Refinery [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Aruba Refinery [Member]	Mar. 31, 2012 Construction in Progress [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Construction in Progress [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Retail [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Retail [Member]	Sep. 30, 2013 Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]	Sep. 30, 2013 Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring [Member] Construction in Progress [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring [Member] Retail [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring [Member] Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] Construction in Progress [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring [Member] Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] Retail [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring [Member] Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] Construction in Progress [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring [Member] Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] Retail [Member]	Mar. 31, 2012 Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring [Member] Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] Aruba Refinery [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring [Member] Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] Construction in Progress [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring [Member] Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] Retail [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring [Member] Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] Retail [Member]
Assets:
Long-lived assets, fair value												$ 5	$ 5					$ 2	$ 8	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 350	$ 2	$ 8	$ 5
Fair Value Measurements (Textual)
Assets measured at fair value, nonrecurring														138	124	0
Liabilities measured at fair value, nonrecurring														30	17	0	0
Asset impairment losses	0	345	0	956		333	595	333	928	16	16	12	12
Long-lived assets, carrying value	$ 25,642		$ 25,642		$ 26,300		$ 945