Various example embodiments relate generally to supporting path compression in routing of source routed packets in communication networks. Various example embodiments for supporting path compression in routing of source routed packets may be configured to support path compression in routing of source routed packets based on use of various source routing protocols which may be based on various underlying communication protocols. Various example embodiments for supporting path compression in routing of source routed packets may be configured to support path compression in routing of source routed packets based on encoding of a set of hops within a header of a source routed packet using a path identifier (e.g., a path label, a path address, or the like) representing the set of hops (e.g., a set of hops providing a segment of the path, a set of hops providing a protection path configured to protect a portion of the path, or the like).