diff --git a/line.cpp b/line.cpp
index c1c84a00..9998dee7 100644
--- a/line.cpp
+++ b/line.cpp
@@ -46,6 +46,34 @@ util::line<S,T>::intersect (plane<S,T> q) const
 }
 
 
+///----------------------------------------------------------------------------
+/// returns the distance from origin to AABB intersection
+///
+/// returns NaN on miss
+/// returns -ve if behind
+template <size_t S, typename T>
+T
+util::line<S,T>::intersect (region<S,T> r) const
+{
+    auto t1 = (r.base () - p) / d;
+    auto t2 = (r.away () - p) / d;
+
+    auto vmin = min (t1, t2);
+    auto vmax = min (t1, t2);
+
+    auto tmin = min (vmax);
+    auto tmax = max (vmin);
+
+    if (tmax < 0)
+        return tmax;
+
+    if (tmin > tmax)
+        return std::numeric_limits<T>::quiet_NaN ();
+
+    return tmin;
+}
+
+
 ///----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 /// returns the closest parameter along the line to a given point
 template <size_t S, typename T>
diff --git a/line.hpp b/line.hpp
index 1b5d017d..477e45b3 100644
--- a/line.hpp
+++ b/line.hpp
@@ -23,6 +23,7 @@
 #include "point.hpp"
 #include "vector.hpp"
 #include "plane.hpp"
+#include "region.hpp"
 
 namespace util {
     template <size_t S, typename T>
@@ -31,6 +32,8 @@ namespace util {
               util::vector<S,T> direction);
 
         T intersect (plane<S,T>) const;
+        T intersect (region<S,T>) const;
+
         T closest (point<S,T>) const;
 
         util::point<S,T> at (T) const;