(Fort Smith, Arkansas, February 7, 2003) -- Arkansas Best Corporation (Nasdaq: ABFS) will be making a presentation at the 13th Annual Deutsche Bank Global Transportation Conference on Thursday, February 13th at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Naples, FL. This presentation will be done by Robert A. Young III, President and Chief Executive Officer and David E. Loeffler, Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer. Arkansas Best’s 35-minute presentation will begin at 8:25 a.m. EST.

To access the live audio webcast of this presentation and slide materials, please go to Arkansas Best’s Web site at www.arkbest.com. A replay of this presentation will be available approximately one hour later and will be archived until Friday, March 14.

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 less-than-truckload (“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