Embodiments are provided to enable a user controlled path selection for servicing content requests from users. In an embodiment, a user device sends a cost request for a service to a network, and in return receives cost information for the service from the network. The user device then determines, according to the cost information, cost for one or more paths across the network. Upon determining acceptable cost for a path from the paths, the user device selects the path for receiving the service. In another embodiment, a network node coupled to links receives loading information from neighbor nodes coupled to neighbor links, and evaluates cost using loading information for the links and the received loading information for the neighbor links. When the network node receives a cost request from a user for a service, the node returns cost information for the service.