Route vs. Path — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on September 16, 2023
Route is a specific course or direction taken, while Path typically refers to a trail or track for walking.
Difference Between Route and Path
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Route and Path, both words convey the idea of a direction or trajectory.
A Route usually indicates a pre-defined, often optimized, course or direction between two or more points, especially over longer distances or complex terrains. It might be established by authorities, GPS systems, or common convention. On the other hand, a Path tends to be a simpler, often unpaved trail or track, commonly used for walking or informal journeys.
This distinction can be blurry at times, as Routes can sometimes be paths and vice-versa.
For instance, a hiking Route can be a mountain Path. However, in many contexts, Route has a more formal or planned connotation, while Path tends to evoke imagery of nature, walking, and simplicity.
Comparison Chart
Definition
A pre-defined direction between two or more points.
A trail or track, typically for walking.
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Associated Activity
Often linked with driving, flying, or other modes of transportation.
Commonly associated with walking, hiking, or biking.
Complexity
Can be complex and may involve multiple turns and stops.
Tends to be simpler and more straightforward.
Creation
Often created by authorities or for specific purposes.
Can be naturally formed or made by frequent use.
Connotation
Formal, planned.
Natural, casual.
Compare with Definitions
Route
A prescribed course to be followed.
The delivery driver took a different Route today.
Path
A way or track laid down for walking or made by continual treading.
The forest Path was covered in fallen leaves.
Route
A regular course taken by aircraft, buses, or ships.
This airline offers several daily Routes to New York.
Path
A course of action or sequence in computer operations.
The software installation Path was corrupted.
Route
A direction or path for electrical or technological processes.
The data took a secure Route through the server.
Path
A way or track laid down for walking or made by continual treading
The path continues alongside the river for half a mile
Route
A road, course, or way for travel from one place to another
The route from Maine to Boston takes you through New Hampshire.
Ocean routes that avoided the breeding grounds of whales.
Path
(chiefly in computing and railway contexts) allocate a path.
Route
A highway
Traveled on Route 12 through Michigan.
Path
A trodden track or way.
Route
A fixed course or territory assigned to a salesperson or delivery person.
Path
A road, way, or track made for a particular purpose
A bicycle path.
Route
A means of reaching a goal
The route to success required hard work.
Path
The route or course along which something travels or moves
The path of a hurricane.
Route
(Football) A pass pattern.
Path
A course of action or conduct
The path of righteousness.
Route
To send or forward by a specific route.
Path
A sequence of commands or a link between points that is needed to reach a particular goal.
Route
A course or way which is traveled or passed.
The route was used so much that it formed a rut.
You need to find a route that you can take between these two obstacles.
Path
A pathname.
Route
A regular itinerary of stops, or the path followed between these stops, such as for delivery or passenger transportation.
We live near the bus route.
Here is a map of our delivery routes.
Path
A trail for the use of, or worn by, pedestrians.
Route
A road or path; often specifically a highway.
Follow Route 49 out of town.
Path
A course taken.
The path of a meteor, of a caravan, or of a storm
Route
(figuratively) One of multiple methods or approaches to doing something.
Path
(paganism) A Pagan tradition, for example witchcraft, Wicca, druidism, Heathenry.
Route
(historical) One of the major provinces of imperial China from the Later Jin to the Song, corresponding to the Tang and early Yuan circuits.
Path
A metaphorical course or route; progress.
Route
(computing) A specific entry in a router that tells the router how to transmit the data it receives.
Path
A method or direction of proceeding.
Route
(horse racing) A race longer than one mile.
Path
(computing) A human-readable specification for a location within a hierarchical or tree-like structure, such as a file system or as part of a URL.
Use the network path
\\Marketing\Files to find the documents you need.Route
(transitive) To direct or divert along a particular course.
All incoming mail was routed through a single office.
Path
(graph theory) A sequence of vertices from one vertex to another using the arcs (edges). A path does not visit the same vertex more than once (unless it is a closed path, where only the first and the last vertex are the same).
Route
(Internet) to connect two local area networks, thereby forming an internet.
Path
(topology) A continuous map from the unit interval to a topological space .
Route
To send (information) through a router.
Path
(rail) A slot available for allocation to a railway train over a given route in between other trains.
Route
The course or way which is traveled or passed, or is to be passed; a passing; a course; a road or path; a march.
Wide through the furzy field their route they take.
Path
Pathology.
Route
An established line of travel or access
Path
(transitive) To make a path in, or on (something), or for (someone).
Route
An open way (generally public) for travel or transportation
Path
To navigate through a file system directory tree (to a desired file or folder).
Next, you need to path to the location of the executable and run it from there.
Route
Send documents or materials to appropriate destinations
Path
A trodden way; a footway.
The dewy paths of meadows we will tread.
Route
Send via a specific route
Path
A way, course, or track, in which anything moves or has moved; route; passage; an established way; as, the path of a meteor, of a caravan, of a storm, of a pestilence. Also used figuratively, of a course of life or action.
All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth.
The paths of glory lead but to the grave.
Route
Divert in a specified direction;
Divert the low voltage to the engine cylinders
Path
To make a path in, or on (something), or for (some one).
Route
A means of reaching a goal.
She found a new Route to success.
Path
To walk or go.
Route
To send or direct along a specified course.
The call was Routed to customer service.
Path
A course of conduct;
The path of virtue
We went our separate ways
Our paths in life led us apart
Genius usually follows a revolutionary path
Path
A way especially designed for a particular use
Path
An established line of travel or access
Path
A line or route along which something travels or moves;
The hurricane demolished houses in its path
The track of an animal
The course of the river
Path
The course or direction in which something is moving.
The hurricane took an unexpected Path.
Path
A line of movement or approach.
The ball followed a curved Path.
Path
A way of life, conduct, or thought.
He chose the Path of honesty.
Common Curiosities
How is a Path usually formed?
A Path can be naturally formed or made by frequent use, often for walking or hiking.
Can Route refer to a means of achieving something?
Yes, Route can metaphorically mean a means or method of achieving a goal or purpose.
Is a Path always a physical trail?
No, Path can also refer to a direction of movement, a way of life, or even a computer operation sequence.
How is a Route different from a highway?
While both can be used for transportation, a Route is a direction or course, while a highway is a main road.
Is a Path always man-made?
No, a Path can be naturally formed by animal or human activity over time.
What does Route typically signify?
Route usually signifies a pre-defined course or direction taken between two or more points.
Can Path refer to a series of actions?
Yes, especially in computer terms, Path can refer to a sequence or course of actions or processes.
How do navigation apps use the word Route?
Navigation apps use "Route" to describe the course or direction suggested for a journey.
Can Route have technological connotations?
Yes, especially in terms of data transfer or communication pathways.
What might "crossing paths" with someone mean?
It means meeting someone unexpectedly or coincidentally.
Is Path limited to nature settings?
No, while Path often evokes imagery of nature, it can be used in varied contexts, including digital and philosophical.
Can Route be used as a verb?
Yes, Route can be a verb meaning to send or direct along a specified course.
What does "off the beaten Route" mean?
It's a variation of "off the beaten path", meaning away from what is conventionally known or popular.
Which word is more formal, Route or Path?
Route generally has a more formal connotation, whereas Path is more casual or natural.
Can a Route also be a Path?
Yes, especially in contexts like hiking, where a designated Route might follow a natural Path.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
