trade route vs route

trade route and route both are nouns.

Word	Noun	Adjective	Verb	Adverb
trade route	Yes	No	No	No
route	Yes	No	Yes	No

As nouns, route is a hypernym of trade route; that is, route is a word with a broader meaning than trade route:

Other hypernyms of trade route include itinerary, path.

trade route (noun)	route (noun)
a lane at sea that is a regularly used route for vessels	an open way (generally public) for travel or transportation
a route followed by traders (usually in caravans)	an established line of travel or access

trade route (verb)	route (verb)
	send via a specific route
	divert in a specified direction
	send documents or materials to appropriate destinations