Trade Routes (Part 1)

Trade routes seem to be a subject of great mystery to many pilots so I am going to throw myself into a new project. Over the next few posts we will try to demystify the elusive trade route and show you how to profit from running the lanes.

The first step is selecting a region to work with. We are using the Lonetrek region for our study area since we are familiar with all the jump gates. We are also avoiding any low sec. space for now. Once you have selected a region to work in decide what trade goods you want to transport. Consumer goods tend to be smaller in size so this may be a good choice for pilots with limited cargo space. We carry industrial goods of a larger size in our freighter.
Now it's time to get to work. Fly to a system where you would like to start your route, we use our Corps. home system, and open the market window. Scan through the available goods for that system and buy something at a low price that will sell elsewhere for a higher price. Set an auto pilot destination to where you are going to sell your newly purchased goods. Now, make a note of all the systems in between your current location and your destination. The trick is to find goods in each system of your route that will sell further along in your route. Each time you jump to the next system check the market and adjust your flight plan to exploit more selling opportunities. Ultimately you will be buying and selling goods in every system along your route and as supply and demand renews you will be able to exploit this route over and over.

On the next post we will give you an actual trade route so you can apply what you have learned above.

Topava suggests buying Light Faction Missiles in Jita / The Forge and selling them in Todaki / Lonetrek.