alternative route

Secondary path choice

An alternative route is a different path to reach a destination, typically chosen when the usual way is blocked, congested, or otherwise unavailable: Traffic was backed up, so I took an alternative route through the side streets.

The phrase extends to any backup plan or secondary approach: If the funding falls through, we'll need an alternative route to get this project finished.

Related
  • detourAlternate path around obstruction
  • bypassRoute that skirts obstacles
  • shortcutQuicker alternative path
  • rat runTraffic-avoiding residential route
  • cut throughCross directly, ignoring boundaries

scenic · backroad · diversion · path · beaten path · workaround · side street · side road · escape · GPS · traffic · road less traveled · winding · countryside · map · junction · fork · turnoff

Opposites
directness

alternative routedirect route

Straightest path available

straight path · direct path · shortest route · main road · fastest route

primacy/status

alternative routemain road

Primary vehicular thoroughfare

primary road · first choice

Family

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Familiarity
Top 50,000
Profile
Known to kids · Used worldwide · Timeless · Concrete · Everyday, not technical · Rated G