Document and Entity Information - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2021	Feb. 25, 2022	Jun. 30, 2021
Document and Entity Information
Document Type	10-K
Document Annual Report	true
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2021
Document Transition Report	false
Entity File Number	0-19969
Entity Registrant Name	ARCBEST CORPORATION
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	DE
Entity Tax Identification Number	71-0673405
Entity Address, Address Line One	8401 McClure Drive
Entity Address, City or Town	Fort Smith
Entity Address, State or Province	AR
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	72916
City Area Code	479
Local Phone Number	785-6000
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock
Trading Symbol	ARCB
Security Exchange Name	NASDAQ
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
ICFR Auditor Attestation Flag	true
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Public Float			$ 1,458,553,375
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		24,597,758
Auditor Name	Ernst & Young LLP
Auditor Location	Tulsa, Oklahoma
Auditor Firm ID	42
Entity Central Index Key	0000894405
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2021
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Amendment Flag	false