-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 L2u5SVOVxxqqURSFIGMDQxB9kiS8+qGYcuyW3LZj9n4og/hMCRUUcH9pvCZsT7/u
 KUbzqMuThxSFJGe5CwEMqg==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001209191-05-058620.txt : 20051121
<SEC-HEADER>0001209191-05-058620.hdr.sgml : 20051121
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20051121133819
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001209191-05-058620
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20051117
FILED AS OF DATE:		20051121
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20051121

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			YOUNG ROBERT A III
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000915285

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-19969
		FILM NUMBER:		051217389

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		POST OFFICE BOX 48
		CITY:			FORT SMITH
		STATE:			AR
		ZIP:			72902
		BUSINESS PHONE:		5017856141

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
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>doc4.xml
<DESCRIPTION>FORM 4 SUBMISSION
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2005-11-17</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000894405</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>ARKANSAS BEST CORP /DE/</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>ABFS</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0000915285</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>YOUNG ROBERT A III</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>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>Chairman &amp; CEO</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2005-11-17</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <deemedExecutionDate></deemedExecutionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>M</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>45400</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>7.0125</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>318900</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2005-11-18</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <deemedExecutionDate></deemedExecutionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>S</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>45400</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>41.8043</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>273500</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>955.318</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>By 401(k)</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>1805639</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>By limited partnership</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F3"/>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Stock Option (Right to Buy)</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>7.0125</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2005-11-17</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <deemedExecutionDate></deemedExecutionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>M</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>45400</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <footnoteId id="F5"/>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F4"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2006-01-30</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock Par Value, $0.01 Per Share</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>45400</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>0</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">The range of prices is from $41.55 to $42.37 and includes: 400 shares @$41.55 per share, 700 @$41.56, 394 @$41.57, 800 @$41.58, 1014 @$41.59, 2239 @$41.60, 1000 @$41.61, 800 @$41.62, 592 @$41.63, 2617 @$41.64, 400 @$41.6416, 100 @$41.6458, 5300 @$41.65, 1300 @$41.66, 602 @$41.67, 733 @$41.68, 1100 @$41.70, 1900 @$41.71, 2500 @$41.72, 500 @$41.73, 200 @$41.74, 300 @$41.76, 1100 @$41.77, 300 @$41.78, 500 @41.79, 361 @$41.81, 100 @$41.82, 25 @$41.84, 1158 @$41.85, 800 @$41.86, 65 @$41.87, 200 @$41.88, 2108 @$41.90, 92 @$41.91, 200 @$41.915, 1100 @$41.94, 500 @$41.95, 600 @$41.96, 1100 @$41.97, 1028 @$41.98, 113 @$41.99, 500 @$42.00, 59 @$42.02, 894 @$42.03, 400 @$42.04, 306 @$42.06, 900 @$42.09, 395 @$42.10, 260 @$42.11, 500 @$42.12, 199 @$42.14, 600 @ $42.18, 501 @$42.19, 500 @$42.20, 1000 @$42.21, 300 @$42.22, 245 @$42.30, 400 @ $42.32, 500 @$42.37.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Includes shares acquired through automatic dividend reinvestment in the Arkansas Best 401(k) Plan: 3.465 shares on 5/18/05 and 4.186 shares on 8/25/05. 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 11/17/2005.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">Robert A. Young III retains sole voting and investment power of the 1,805,639 shares of Arkansas Best Corporation common stock held in the R.A. Young III Investments Limited Partnership.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F4">The option is exercisable in five (5) annual installments beginning on 1/31/1997.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F5">Field intentionally left blank.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <remarks></remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Robert A. Young III</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2005-11-18</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
-----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----