* Historical: "The Silk Road was a network of ancient trade routes that connected the East and West for centuries."
* Modern: "The development of new shipping lanes has drastically altered the flow of goods along global trade routes."
* Economic: "The expansion of the railway system in the 19th century greatly facilitated the movement of goods along trade routes throughout the United States."
* Specific: "The ancient Egyptians used the Nile River as a major trade route, transporting goods up and down the river."
* Figurative: "Her mind was a labyrinth of thoughts, with connections forming and breaking like bustling trade routes."