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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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 DlP5kBCvuVc+93j/6TTMog==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001209191-03-026800.txt : 20031024
<SEC-HEADER>0001209191-03-026800.hdr.sgml : 20031024
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20031024173230
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001209191-03-026800
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20031023
FILED AS OF DATE:		20031024

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			ARKANSAS BEST CORP /DE/
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000894405
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	TRUCKING (NO LOCAL) [4213]
		IRS NUMBER:				710673405
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		3801 OLD GREENWOOD RD
		CITY:			FORT SMITH
		STATE:			AR
		ZIP:			72903
		BUSINESS PHONE:		5017856000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		P O BOX 48
		CITY:			FORT SMITH
		STATE:			AR
		ZIP:			72902

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			YARBROUGH JERRY A
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001193008

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-19969
		FILM NUMBER:		03957167

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O ARKANSAS BEST CORP
		STREET 2:		3801 OLD GREENWOOD ROAD
		CITY:			FORT SMITH
		STATE:			AR
		ZIP:			72903
		BUSINESS PHONE:		4797856130

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		ARKANSAS BEST CORP
		STREET 2:		3801 OLD GREEN ROD
		CITY:			FORT SMITH
		STATE:			AR
		ZIP:			72903
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>doc4.xml
<DESCRIPTION>FORM 4 SUBMISSION
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?><ownershipDocument><schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>    <documentType>4</documentType><periodOfReport>2003-10-23</periodOfReport><notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16><issuer><issuerCik>0000894405</issuerCik><issuerName>ARKANSAS BEST CORP /DE/</issuerName>        <issuerTradingSymbol>ABFS</issuerTradingSymbol></issuer><reportingOwner><reportingOwnerId><rptOwnerCik>0001193008</rptOwnerCik><rptOwnerName>YARBROUGH JERRY A</rptOwnerName></reportingOwnerId><reportingOwnerAddress><rptOwnerStreet1>3801 OLD GREENWOOD ROAD</rptOwnerStreet1><rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2><rptOwnerCity>FORT SMITH</rptOwnerCity><rptOwnerState>AR</rptOwnerState><rptOwnerZipCode>72903</rptOwnerZipCode><rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription></reportingOwnerAddress><reportingOwnerRelationship><isDirector>0</isDirector><isOfficer>1</isOfficer><isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner><isOther>0</isOther><officerTitle>Senior Vice President</officerTitle></reportingOwnerRelationship></reporting
Owner><nonDerivativeTable><nonDerivativeTransaction><securityTitle><value>Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share</value></securityTitle><transactionDate><value>2003-10-23</value></transactionDate><deemedExecutionDate></deemedExecutionDate><transactionCoding><transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType><transactionCode>S</transactionCode><equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved></transactionCoding><transactionTimeliness><value></value></transactionTimeliness><transactionAmounts><transactionShares><value>400</value><footnoteId id="F1" /></transactionShares><transactionPricePerShare><value>32.5975</value></transactionPricePerShare><transactionAcquiredDisposedCode><value>D</value></transactionAcquiredDisposedCode></transactionAmounts><postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>119789</value></sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction></postTransactionAmounts><ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>D</value></directOrIndirectOwnership></ownershipNature></nonDerivativeTransaction><nonDerivati
veHolding><securityTitle><value>Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share</value></securityTitle><postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>25935.515</value></sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction></postTransactionAmounts><ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>I</value></directOrIndirectOwnership><natureOfOwnership><value>401(k) Plan</value><footnoteId id="F2" /></natureOfOwnership></ownershipNature></nonDerivativeHolding></nonDerivativeTable><footnotes><footnote id="F1">These shares were from the 1,200 option shares exercised on 1/31/2003.</footnote><footnote id="F2">Includes 73.775 shares acquired on August 20, 2003, through automatic dividend reinvestment in the Arkansas Best Corporation 401(k) Plan.  This dividend reinvestment is exempt from Section 16 pursuant to Rule 16a-3(f)(1)(i)(B). Calculation of stock in 401(k) account is based on Arkansas Best Corporation Stock Fund figures provided by the fund management company on 10/22/2003.</footnote></footnotes><remarks></remarks><ow
nerSignature><signatureName>/s/ Jerry A. Yarbrough</signatureName><signatureDate>2003-10-23</signatureDate></ownerSignature></ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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