An approach for finding cost effective network connections while maintaining physical layer diversity is described. A logical segment within a path between a start node and an end node of a network is determined. A plurality of physical connections of the logical segment is then determined, wherein each of the physical connections is associated with a cost value, selecting one of the physical connections of the logical segment based on the cost values. A determination is made of another logical segment between the start node and the end node to include another physical connection, wherein the another logical segment is diverse physically with respect to the logical segment.