CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010
OPERATING REVENUES	$ 498,550	$ 411,347	$ 933,481	$ 771,237
OPERATING EXPENSES AND COSTS	489,552	422,157	946,475	817,313
OPERATING INCOME (LOSS)	8,998	(10,810)	(12,994)	(46,076)
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE)
Interest and dividend income	273	274	516	608
Interest expense and other related financing costs	(932)	(434)	(1,927)	(999)
Other, net	281	(457)	2,892	211
TOTAL OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE)	(378)	(617)	1,481	(180)
INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAXES	8,620	(11,427)	(11,513)	(46,256)
INCOME TAXES
Current provision (benefit)	3,132	(847)	2,392	(9,336)
Deferred provision (benefit)	37	(3,232)	(6,569)	(8,200)
TOTAL INCOME TAXES	3,169	(4,079)	(4,177)	(17,536)
NET INCOME (LOSS)	5,451	(7,348)	(7,336)	(28,720)
LESS: NONCONTROLLING INTEREST IN NET INCOME OF SUBSIDIARY	153	96	174	116
NET INCOME (LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO ARKANSAS BEST CORPORATION	$ 5,298	$ (7,444)	$ (7,510)	$ (28,836)
EARNINGS (LOSS) PER COMMON SHARE
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 0.20	$ (0.30)	$ (0.30)	$ (1.15)
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.20	$ (0.30)	$ (0.30)	$ (1.15)
AVERAGE COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING
Basic (in shares)	25,411,339	25,182,579	25,358,130	25,137,886
Diluted (in shares)	25,411,942	25,182,579	25,358,130	25,137,886
CASH DIVIDENDS DECLARED PER COMMON SHARE (in dollars per share)	$ 0.03	$ 0.03	$ 0.06	$ 0.06