Segment Reporting - Reconciliation (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
 3 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2016
Sep. 30, 2016
Jun. 30, 2016
Mar. 31, 2016
Dec. 31, 2015
Sep. 30, 2015
Jun. 30, 2015
Mar. 31, 2015
Dec. 31, 2016
Dec. 31, 2015
Dec. 31, 2014
Reconciliation of the totals reported for the reportable segments to the applicable line items in the consolidated financial statements                      
Combined gross profit $ 154,478 $ 132,611 $ 129,342 $ 130,059 $ 132,624 $ 152,299 $ 144,188 $ 168,558 $ 546,490 $ 597,669 $ 544,787
Operating costs and expenses                      
Selling, general and administrative expenses                 149,673 177,043 153,961
Operating expenses                 288,547 290,307 204,070
Lease exit and termination expenses 80,700               80,665    
Amortization expense                 9,389 13,499 18,867
Net loss on sale and disposition of assets 6,500 7,500 400 6,100         20,495 2,097 2,182
Goodwill and long-lived asset impairment   149,900             149,972    
Total costs and operating expenses                 698,741 482,946 379,080
Operating income                 (152,251) 114,723 165,707
Interest expense                 (86,319) (73,332) (47,764)
Income tax (expense) benefit                 (53) 1,873 (963)
Net (loss) income (65,662) (156,583) (8,543) (7,835) (2,905) 8,146 7,614 30,409 (238,623) 43,264 116,980
Net loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interest                 39,211 299 (2,271)
Net (loss) income attributable to Global Partners LP $ (65,527) $ (119,551) $ (7,310) $ (7,024) $ (2,282) $ 8,212 $ 7,218 $ 30,415 (199,412) 43,563 114,709
Operating costs and expenses not allocated to operating segments                      
Operating costs and expenses                      
Selling, general and administrative expenses                 149,673 177,043 153,961
Operating expenses                 288,547 290,307 204,070
Lease exit and termination expenses                 80,665    
Amortization expense                 9,389 13,499 18,867
Net loss on sale and disposition of assets                 20,495 2,097 2,182
Goodwill and long-lived asset impairment                 149,972    
Total costs and operating expenses                 $ 698,741 $ 482,946 $ 379,080