CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended						6 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011
OPERATING REVENUES		$ 510,543			$ 498,550		$ 951,410	$ 933,481
OPERATING EXPENSES AND COSTS		503,342			489,552		967,196	946,475
OPERATING INCOME (LOSS)		7,201			8,998		(15,786)	(12,994)
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE)
Interest and dividend income		215			273		469	516
Interest expense and other related financing costs		(1,112)			(932)		(2,255)	(1,927)
Other, net		(220)			281		1,120	2,892
TOTAL OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE)		(1,117)			(378)		(666)	1,481
INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAXES		6,084			8,620		(16,452)	(11,513)
INCOME TAX PROVISION (BENEFIT)		(5,757)			3,169		(10,131)	(4,177)
NET INCOME (LOSS)		11,841			5,451		(6,321)	(7,336)
LESS: NONCONTROLLING INTEREST IN NET INCOME OF SUBSIDIARY					153			174
NET INCOME (LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO ARKANSAS BEST CORPORATION		11,841			5,298		(6,321)	(7,510)
EARNINGS (LOSS) PER COMMON SHARE
Basic (in dollars per share)		$ 0.44			$ 0.20		$ (0.25)	$ (0.30)
Diluted (in dollars per share)		$ 0.44			$ 0.20		$ (0.25)	$ (0.30)
AVERAGE COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING
Basic (in shares)		25,544,455			25,411,339		25,496,871	25,358,130
Diluted (in shares)		25,544,455			25,411,942		25,496,871	25,358,130
CASH DIVIDENDS DECLARED PER COMMON SHARE (in dollars per share)	$ 0.03	$ 0.03	$ 0.03	$ 0.03	$ 0.03	$ 0.03	$ 0.06	$ 0.06
TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)		$ 13,524			$ 6,402		$ (2,915)	$ (5,296)