CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended												12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Sep. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2010	Mar. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011		Dec. 31, 2010
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
OPERATING REVENUES	$ 537,042	$ 577,546	$ 510,543	$ 440,867	$ 463,241	$ 510,887	$ 498,550	$ 434,931					$ 2,065,999		$ 1,907,609		$ 1,657,864
OPERATING EXPENSES AND COSTS	548,058	565,313	503,342	463,854	461,606	489,769	489,552	456,923					2,080,567		1,897,850		1,712,409
OPERATING INCOME (LOSS)	(11,016)	12,233	7,201	(22,987)	1,635	21,118	8,998	(21,992)					(14,568)		9,759		(54,545)
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE)
Interest and dividend income													808		1,069		1,194
Interest expense and other related financing costs													(5,273)		(3,953)		(2,852)
Other, net													2,041		2,618		2,406
TOTAL OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE)	(1,300)	(457)	(1,117)	451	299	(2,045)	(378)	1,859					(2,424)		(266)		748
INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAXES													(16,992)		9,493		(53,797)
INCOME TAX PROVISION (BENEFIT)	(4,387)	5,258	(5,757)	(4,374)	530	6,808	3,169	(7,346)					(9,260)		3,160		(21,376)
NET INCOME (LOSS)					1,404	12,265	5,451	(12,787)					(7,732)		6,333		(32,421)
LESS: NONCONTROLLING INTEREST IN NET INCOME OF SUBSIDIARY							153	21							174		272
NET INCOME (LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO ARKANSAS BEST CORPORATION	$ (7,929)	$ 6,518	$ 11,841	$ (18,162)	$ 1,404	$ 12,265	$ 5,298	$ (12,808)					$ (7,732)		$ 6,159		$ (32,693)
EARNINGS (LOSS) PER COMMON SHARE
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ (0.31)	$ 0.24	$ 0.44	$ (0.71)	$ 0.05	$ 0.46	$ 0.20	$ (0.51)					$ (0.31)	[1]	$ 0.23	[1]	$ (1.30)	[1]
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ (0.31)	$ 0.24	$ 0.44	$ (0.71)	$ 0.05	$ 0.46	$ 0.20	$ (0.51)					$ (0.31)	[1]	$ 0.23	[1]	$ (1.30)	[1]
AVERAGE COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING
Basic (in shares)	25,629,309	25,613,315	25,544,455	25,455,607	25,421,887	25,421,887	25,411,339	25,296,854					25,564,752		25,403,073		25,187,723
Diluted (in shares)	25,629,309	25,613,315	25,544,455	25,455,607	25,421,887	25,421,887	25,411,942	25,296,854					25,564,752		25,403,073		25,187,723
CASH DIVIDENDS DECLARED PER COMMON SHARE (in dollars per share)	$ 0.03	$ 0.03	$ 0.03	$ 0.03	$ 0.03	$ 0.03	$ 0.03	$ 0.03	$ 0.03	$ 0.03	$ 0.03	$ 0.03	$ 0.12		$ 0.12		$ 0.12

[1] The Company uses the two-class method for calculating earnings per share. See Note M.