Arkansas Best Corporation Promotes David Loeffler and Richard Cooper

(Fort Smith, Arkansas, January 30, 2004) - Arkansas Best Corporation (Nasdaq: ABFS) today announced that David E. Loeffler, has been promoted to Senior Vice President - Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer. Mr. Loeffler currently serves as the company's Vice President - Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer. Richard F. Cooper, has been promoted to Senior Vice President - Administration, General Counsel and Secretary. Mr. Cooper currently serves as the company's Vice President - Administration, General Counsel and Secretary. These promotions were announced by Robert A. Young III, Arkansas Best's President and Chief Executive Officer.
Mr. Loeffler joined the company in 1995 and has been Arkansas Best's Chief Financial Officer since 1997. Mr. Cooper joined Arkansas Best in 1984 as the company's General Counsel and has been Arkansas Best's Vice President of Administration since 1995.
Arkansas Best Corporation, headquartered in Fort Smith, AR, is a diversified transportation holding company with two primary operating subsidiaries. ABF Freight System, Inc., in continuous service since 1923, provides national transportation of LTL general commodities throughout North America. Clipper is an intermodal marketing company that provides domestic freight services, utilizing rail and over-the-road transportation.
Contact: Mr. David Humphrey, Director of Investor Relations
               Telephone (479) 785-6200