The Trade Route is a predetermined path across a map in Age of Empires III to which a Mother Nature-controlled (and completely non-interactable) trade units are traveling. Control over the bulk of the route can mean the difference between victory or defeat. The Trade Route replaces the Trade feature of previous games in the series.
Overview[]
A Trading Post, next to a Trade Route
To secure the route, Trading Posts or Tambos (for the Inca) must be built on the site sockets along it. Walls cannot be built over them. While the trade unit does not count as a true unit in terms of interaction or collision with other units, or for Line of Sight improvements, it will cause Gates to open and close if built close enough. This occurs regardless of who owns the entire route, or the Gates themselves.
Controlling most of the Trading Posts or Tambos built on the site sockets on the map (both on Trade Routes and at minor civilization settlements) enables the Trade Monopoly countdown to achieve victory without fully destroying the enemy if the condition is toggled on.
Players in the Silk Road map with the Asian Dynasties or Definitive Edition expansions have a pre-set Trade Route. Unlike other maps, a Trading Post is already built, but is protected by Treasure guardians. Killing these guardians will relinquish control of the Trading Post to the player who captured it, and in order to maintain its control, players must keep a unit within range.
Rates and improvements[]
A fully upgraded Trade Route
The length of the Trade Route determines the total resources acquired per trade unit pass, and is the map size determines how long the Trade Route is. Most maps are generally consistent with the number of site sockets and Trade Route, but a few (e.g Saguenay) can potentially utilize a different Trade Route and site sockets.
The following table lists the average rates; results may vary in some situations:
| Trade unit Level | Rate |
|---|---|
| Level 1 | 1.2 XP per second |
| Level 2 | 2.0 resources per second |
| Level 3 | 2.4 resources per second |
- Resources are not delivered per second, but in lump sums equivalent to a trickle of that amount over the time the trade unit taken to travel the route.
Note: Upgrading the Trade Route will increase the rate for ALL players using that Trade Route, not just the player or their allies.
| Age | Upgrade | Cost | Effect |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
 Stagecoach
|
200 food 200 wood |
Upgrades this Trade Route to use Stagecoaches, which can deliver resources, move faster and provide greater line of sight. |
 Traveling Merchant
|
Upgrades this Trade Route to use Traveling Merchants, which can deliver resources, move faster and provide greater line of sight. | ||
 Trade Cart
|
Upgrades this Trade Route to use Trade Carts, which can deliver resources, move faster and provide greater line of sight. | ||
 Caravan Trade
|
Upgrades this Trade Route to Caravan Trade, which can deliver resources, move faster and provide greater line of sight. | ||
 Trade Galleons
|
Upgrades this Naval Trade Route to use Trade Galleons, which can deliver resources, move faster and provide greater line of sight. | ||
 Waterways
|
Upgrades this River Trade Route to use Cargo Boats, which can deliver resources, move faster and provide greater line of sight. | ||
| Stagecoach
|
Upgrades this Trade Route to use Stagecoaches, which can deliver resources, move faster and provide greater line of sight. | ||
 |
 Iron Horse
|
300 wood 400 coin |
Upgrades this Trade Route to use Trains, which can deliver resources, move faster and provide greater line of sight. |
| Iron Llama
| |||
| Iron Horse
| |||
 Trans-Sahara Trade
|
Upgrades this Trade Route to Trans-Sahara Trade, which can deliver resources, move faster and provide greater line of sight. | ||
 East India Trading Company
|
Upgrades this Naval Trade Route to East India Trading Company, which can deliver resources, move faster and provide greater line of sight. | ||
 River Traffic
|
Upgrades this River Trade Route to use Trading Barges, which can deliver resources, move faster and provide greater line of sight. | ||
 Railroad
|
Upgrades this Trade Route to use Trains, which can deliver resources, move faster and provide greater line of sight. |
- Resources will be wasted if two or more players upgrade the Trade Route from their own Trading Posts or Tambos at the same time.
- AI players only occasionally upgrade the Trade Route to Level 2, and rarely upgrade to Level 3.
Trade units and upgrades[]
Different trade units are represented depending on the region and mean:
| Region | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| North America |  Travois
|
 Stagecoach
|
 Steam Train
|
| Central/South America |  Barter Merchant
|
 Traveling Merchant
|
Steam Train
|
| Asia |  Rickshaw
|
 Trade Cart
|
Steam Train
|
| Africa/Middle East |  Trader
|
 Caravan Trader
|
 Caravan Guide
|
| Sea |  Oceanic Carrack
|
 Trade Galleon
|
 East Indiaman
|
| European Rivers |  River Trader
|
 Cargo Boat
|
 Trading Barge
|
| European Land |  Scholar
|
Stagecoach
|
 Steam Train
|
- Before the Definitive Edition, Travois, Stagecoach, and Train (Iron Horse) were also represented in Central/South America regions.
Trivia[]
- The Train in American and Asian maps is based on the Lincoln Memorial Train.
- The Train in European maps is based on the Midland Railway 483 Class. This is anachronistic, as these were built in 1914-1921.
Gallery[]
