8-K

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): October 23, 2006 (October 20, 2006)

ARKANSAS BEST CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware	0-19969	71-0673405
(State or other	(Commission	(IRS Employer
jurisdiction of	File Number)	Identification No.)
incorporation or
organization)

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 October 20, 2006, Arkansas Best Corporation issued a press release announcing the approval by the Board of Directors of a quarterly cash dividend of $0.15 per share to holders of record on November 3, 2006, payable on November 17, 2006. 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 October 20, 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:	October 23, 2006	/s/ Judy R. McReynolds
		Judy R. McReynolds,
		Senior Vice President,
		Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

EX-99.1

EXHIBIT 99.1

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ARKANSAS BEST CORPORATION
DECLARES A $0.15/SHARE QUARTERLY DIVIDEND

     (Fort Smith, Arkansas, October 20, 2006) — The Board of Directors of Arkansas Best Corporation (Nasdaq: ABFS) has declared a quarterly cash dividend of fifteen cents ($0.15) per share to holders of record of its Common Stock $.01 par value (Nasdaq: ABFS) on November 3, 2006, payable on November 17, 2006.

     Arkansas Best Corporation, headquartered in Fort Smith, Arkansas, is a transportation holding company. ABF Freight System, Inc., Arkansas Best’s largest subsidiary, has been in continuous service since 1923. ABF provides transportation of less-than-truckload (“LTL”) general commodities throughout North America. More information is available at www.arkbest.com and www.abf.com.

Contact:	Ms. Judy R. McReynolds, Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
	Telephone: (479) 785-6281
Mr. David Humphrey, Director of Investor Relations
	Telephone: (479) 785-6200

END OF RELEASE