Methods and apparatus for efficient routing in communication networks. In an aspect, a method is provided for traffic routing between first and second nodes in a communication network. The method includes detecting traffic transmitted between the first and second nodes, transmitting a request to a mobility agent associated with the first node to request authorization for a route optimization between the first and second nodes, receiving a response that authorizes the route optimization, and establishing an optimized route. In an aspect, an apparatus includes detector logic for detecting traffic transmitted between the first and second nodes, transmitting logic for transmitting a request to a mobility agent associated with the first node to request authorization for a route optimization between the first and second nodes, receiving logic for receiving a response that authorizes the route optimization, and connection logic for establishing an optimized route.