CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (USD $) In Thousands, 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, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
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)
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS), net of tax
Change in foreign currency translation									19	(108)	76
Unrecognized net actuarial gain (loss)									(5,830)	(27,178)	3,064
Amortization of unrecognized net periodic benefit costs:
Net actuarial loss									6,957	4,497	4,819
Prior service credit									(116)	(115)	(4)
Net transition obligation											82
Pension settlement expense										687	109
Other										(132)	13
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS), net of tax									1,030	(22,349)	8,159
COMPREHENSIVE LOSS ATTRIBUTABLE TO ARKANSAS BEST CORPORATION									$ (6,702)	$ (16,190)	$ (24,534)