BNSF unveils expedited LA–Houston rail service
BNSF Railway has introduced a new expedited intermodal rail service between Los Angeles and Houston, offering a third-day delivery schedule that strengthens its ability to compete with over-the-road freight options. The new service is designed to provide a faster, more reliable transit solution for shippers moving goods between two of the largest metropolitan regions in the southern United States.
The launch is the latest enhancement to BNSF's Southern Transcon corridor, a high-volume freight route that plays a critical role in the movement of consumer goods from West Coast ports to inland markets. By leveraging this well-established network, the company aims to improve transit times and increase capacity while offering a cost-effective alternative to long-haul trucking.
"Our expedited service from Los Angeles to Houston is a strategic development that not only extends BNSF's market reach but also connects two major metropolitan areas more effectively," said Jon Gabriel, BNSF Group Vice President, Consumer Products. "By continuing to create more opportunities to convert over-the-road (OTR) freight to rail, we provide a cost-effective, direct solution to bring freight to the dynamic and growing Houston area."
The new offering links BNSF's Hobart intermodal terminal in Los Angeles with its Pearland facility in the Houston metro area.
It targets shipments that require enhanced speed and consistency--particularly for customers currently moving freight from Dallas-Fort Worth to Houston via road. The rail option is expected to deliver improved supply chain resilience, reduced highway congestion, and lower emissions through modal shift.
According to BNSF, the Los Angeles-Houston route was selected based on increasing demand for direct intermodal connections into the Gulf Coast region. The three-day service offers shippers a viable alternative for time-sensitive cargo that may otherwise travel by lorry over long distances, often encountering delays and variability.
Operational as of Thursday, 10 July, the service is already available for customers, with bookings open through BNSF's regular intermodal channels.
The company reports that it will monitor performance metrics closely to ensure consistency and evaluate opportunities to scale the service further based on market uptake.
By focusing on transit time reliability and integrated end-to-end solutions, BNSF aims to support wider efforts within the logistics sector to enhance resilience across supply chains. The service is expected to benefit sectors such as retail, e-commerce, and manufacturing, where efficient freight movement is essential to meeting customer expectations and maintaining inventory flow.
BNSF[1]'s Southern Transcon route, which spans nearly 2,200 miles between Southern California and Chicago, is among the busiest and most advanced rail corridors in North America. Investments in signalling, double-tracking, and terminal infrastructure have enabled the railway to deliver higher service levels and compete more directly with long-haul trucking.
The new expedited service to Houston further strengthens the company's network reach and reflects its broader strategy to drive modal conversion by offering high-performance intermodal options.
In recent years, the rail operator has increasingly focused on aligning its services with shipper needs in major growth markets such as Texas, where infrastructure investment and population growth have contributed to surging freight volumes.
Houston is one of the most important freight hubs in the United States, with strong links to petrochemical, energy, manufacturing, and consumer sectors.
BNSF's investment in the Pearland intermodal facility and new service corridor is intended to enhance freight flow into and out of this strategically significant region.
Share on:
