A method for reducing response times in an information-centric network includes receiving an indication from an ingress node of a content object entering a network, the content object associated with a new delivery flow through the network. An egress node in the network for the content object and a size of the content object are identified. A backlog and bandwidth for the new delivery flow is determined based in part on the size of the content object. Backlogs and bandwidths for existing delivery flows in the network are determined. A set of candidate paths in the network for the new delivery flow from the ingress node to the egress node is determined. For each candidate path, a total response time is estimated for completion of all delivery flows for each candidate path based on the backlog and bandwidth. The candidate path having the lowest total response time is selected for the new delivery flow.