Subroute

Subroute is a generic term used in multiple domains to describe a route that is part of a larger route. It denotes a distinct segment, branch, or portion that depends on or feeds into a broader path.

In transportation and logistics, a subroute refers to a segment of a network that is served by a subset of vehicles or service patterns. Subroutes help planners allocate resources, schedule connections, and manage coverage on branches off a main line. For example, a metro or bus system may run a main line with one or more subroutes that diverge to serve outlying neighborhoods or airports.

In computer networking and route planning, subroutes describe portions of an end-to-end path, often in discussions of hierarchical routing, route summarization, or path selection. The term is used more commonly with phrases like subpath or nested routes, but subroute appears in some documentation to emphasize the portion that lies within a larger, parent route.

In web applications, the concept is typically handled by nested or child routes. Subroutes map to components that share a common layout while rendering different content, enabling modular design, code reuse, and guards for authentication or permissions.

Considerations for subroutes include naming and modeling, which vary by domain. Clear definitions and documentation help avoid ambiguity when coordinating schedules, routing policies, or application state. Changes to a subroute can affect the parent route and dependent services, so careful change management is often required.