UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549-1004

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): June 16, 2006 (June 15, 2006)

ARKANSAS BEST CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware 0-19969 71-0673405

(State or other
jurisdiction of
incorporation or
organization) (Commission
File Number) (IRS Employer
Identification No.)

3801 Old Greenwood Road
Fort Smith, Arkansas 72903
(479) 785-6000

(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of

the registrant’s principal executive offices)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions.

o Written communication pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

o Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

ITEM 8.01 — OTHER EVENTS

On June 15, 2006, Arkansas Best Corporation issued a press release announcing the completed sale of Clipper Exxpress, its intermodal transportation subsidiary, for approximately US$21 million in cash to Bluenose Holdings Inc., a division of Wheels Group, of Mississauga, Ontario Canada. A copy of the press release is attached as an exhibit to this Report on Form 8-K.

ITEM 9.01 — FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS.

99.1 Press release of Arkansas Best Corporation dated June 15, 2006.

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

ARKANSAS BEST CORPORATION

(Registrant)

Date:	June 16, 2006	/s/ Judy R. McReynolds
		Judy R. McReynolds,
		Senior Vice President –      Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer