Compressed routing header

A node receives an internet protocol (IP) payload packet that includes an IPv6 transport header that has been extended with a compressed routing header (CRH). The CRH includes a list of segment identifiers (SIDs) that identify nodes that the IP payload packet is to traverse. The node determines, by referencing the list of SIDs, a next segment for the IP payload packet. The node updates a destination IP address that is included in the IPv6 transport header to a particular destination IP address of a next-hop node. The node updates a remaining segments value, included in the CRH, that identifies a number of segments left in a route of the IP payload packet. The node provides the IP payload packet to the next-hop node to allow the next-hop node to route the IP payload packet to another node in the network or to a destination device.