CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011
OPERATING REVENUES	$ 440,867	$ 434,931
OPERATING EXPENSES AND COSTS	463,854	456,923
OPERATING LOSS	(22,987)	(21,992)
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE)
Interest and dividend income	253	243
Interest expense and other related financing costs	(1,142)	(994)
Other, net	1,340	2,610
TOTAL OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE)	451	1,859
LOSS BEFORE INCOME TAXES	(22,536)	(20,133)
INCOME TAX BENEFIT	(4,374)	(7,346)
NET LOSS	(18,162)	(12,787)
LESS: NONCONTROLLING INTEREST IN NET INCOME OF SUBSIDIARY		21
NET LOSS ATTRIBUTABLE TO ARKANSAS BEST CORPORATION	(18,162)	(12,808)
LOSS PER COMMON SHARE
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ (0.71)	$ (0.51)
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ (0.71)	$ (0.51)
AVERAGE COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING
Basic (in shares)	25,455,607	25,296,854
Diluted (in shares)	25,455,607	25,296,854
CASH DIVIDENDS DECLARED PER COMMON SHARE (in dollars per share)	$ 0.03	$ 0.03
TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE LOSS	$ (16,439)	$ (11,698)