diff --git a/examples/add_route.rs b/examples/add_route.rs
index 27e7bcf..ab7ff81 100644
--- a/examples/add_route.rs
+++ b/examples/add_route.rs
@@ -1,9 +1,9 @@
 // SPDX-License-Identifier: MIT
 
-use std::env;
+use std::{env, net::Ipv4Addr};
 
 use ipnetwork::Ipv4Network;
-use rtnetlink::{new_connection, Error, Handle};
+use rtnetlink::{new_connection, Error, Handle, RouteMessageBuilder};
 
 const TEST_TABLE_ID: u32 = 299;
 
@@ -40,15 +40,12 @@ async fn add_route(
     gateway: &Ipv4Network,
     handle: Handle,
 ) -> Result<(), Error> {
-    let route = handle.route();
-    route
-        .add()
-        .v4()
+    let route = RouteMessageBuilder::<Ipv4Addr>::new()
         .destination_prefix(dest.ip(), dest.prefix())
         .gateway(gateway.ip())
         .table_id(TEST_TABLE_ID)
-        .execute()
-        .await?;
+        .build();
+    handle.route().add(route).execute().await?;
     Ok(())
 }
 
diff --git a/examples/add_route_pref_src.rs b/examples/add_route_pref_src.rs
index 17002ae..3cb42e7 100644
--- a/examples/add_route_pref_src.rs
+++ b/examples/add_route_pref_src.rs
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ use futures::TryStreamExt;
 use std::{env, net::Ipv4Addr};
 
 use ipnetwork::Ipv4Network;
-use rtnetlink::{new_connection, Error, Handle};
+use rtnetlink::{new_connection, Error, Handle, RouteMessageBuilder};
 
 #[tokio::main]
 async fn main() -> Result<(), ()> {
@@ -53,15 +53,12 @@ async fn add_route(
         .header
         .index;
 
-    let route = handle.route();
-    route
-        .add()
-        .v4()
+    let route = RouteMessageBuilder::<Ipv4Addr>::new()
         .destination_prefix(dest.ip(), dest.prefix())
         .output_interface(iface_idx)
         .pref_source(source)
-        .execute()
-        .await?;
+        .build();
+    handle.route().add(route).execute().await?;
     Ok(())
 }
 
diff --git a/examples/listen.rs b/examples/listen.rs
index b7c25c6..7f20452 100644
--- a/examples/listen.rs
+++ b/examples/listen.rs
@@ -6,7 +6,10 @@
 use futures::stream::StreamExt;
 use netlink_sys::{AsyncSocket, SocketAddr};
 use rtnetlink::{
-    constants::{RTMGRP_IPV4_ROUTE, RTMGRP_IPV6_ROUTE},
+    constants::{
+        RTMGRP_IPV4_IFADDR, RTMGRP_IPV4_ROUTE, RTMGRP_IPV6_IFADDR,
+        RTMGRP_IPV6_ROUTE, RTMGRP_LINK,
+    },
     new_connection,
 };
 
@@ -18,7 +21,11 @@ async fn main() -> Result<(), String> {
 
     // These flags specify what kinds of broadcast messages we want to listen
     // for.
-    let mgroup_flags = RTMGRP_IPV4_ROUTE | RTMGRP_IPV6_ROUTE;
+    let mgroup_flags = RTMGRP_LINK
+        | RTMGRP_IPV4_IFADDR
+        | RTMGRP_IPV4_ROUTE
+        | RTMGRP_IPV6_IFADDR
+        | RTMGRP_IPV6_ROUTE;
 
     // A netlink socket address is created with said flags.
     let addr = SocketAddr::new(0, mgroup_flags);
diff --git a/src/route/add.rs b/src/route/add.rs
index 1416049..ebf8067 100644
--- a/src/route/add.rs
+++ b/src/route/add.rs
@@ -1,28 +1,19 @@
 // SPDX-License-Identifier: MIT
 
 use futures::stream::StreamExt;
-use std::{
-    marker::PhantomData,
-    net::{Ipv4Addr, Ipv6Addr},
-};
+use std::{marker::PhantomData, net::IpAddr};
 
 use netlink_packet_core::{
     NetlinkMessage, NLM_F_ACK, NLM_F_CREATE, NLM_F_EXCL, NLM_F_REPLACE,
     NLM_F_REQUEST,
 };
-use netlink_packet_route::{
-    route::{
-        RouteAddress, RouteAttribute, RouteHeader, RouteMessage, RouteProtocol,
-        RouteScope, RouteType,
-    },
-    AddressFamily, RouteNetlinkMessage,
-};
+use netlink_packet_route::{route::RouteMessage, RouteNetlinkMessage};
 
 use crate::{try_nl, Error, Handle};
 
 /// A request to create a new route. This is equivalent to the `ip route add`
 /// commands.
-pub struct RouteAddRequest<T = ()> {
+pub struct RouteAddRequest<T = IpAddr> {
     handle: Handle,
     message: RouteMessage,
     replace: bool,
@@ -30,14 +21,7 @@ pub struct RouteAddRequest<T = ()> {
 }
 
 impl<T> RouteAddRequest<T> {
-    pub(crate) fn new(handle: Handle) -> Self {
-        let mut message = RouteMessage::default();
-
-        message.header.table = RouteHeader::RT_TABLE_MAIN;
-        message.header.protocol = RouteProtocol::Static;
-        message.header.scope = RouteScope::Universe;
-        message.header.kind = RouteType::Unicast;
-
+    pub(crate) fn new(handle: Handle, message: RouteMessage) -> Self {
         RouteAddRequest {
             handle,
             message,
@@ -46,91 +30,8 @@ impl<T> RouteAddRequest<T> {
         }
     }
 
-    /// Sets the input interface index.
-    pub fn input_interface(mut self, index: u32) -> Self {
-        self.message.attributes.push(RouteAttribute::Iif(index));
-        self
-    }
-
-    /// Sets the output interface index.
-    pub fn output_interface(mut self, index: u32) -> Self {
-        self.message.attributes.push(RouteAttribute::Oif(index));
-        self
-    }
-
-    /// Sets the route priority (metric)
-    pub fn priority(mut self, priority: u32) -> Self {
-        self.message
-            .attributes
-            .push(RouteAttribute::Priority(priority));
-        self
-    }
-
-    /// Sets the route table.
-    ///
-    /// Default is main route table.
-    #[deprecated(note = "Please use `table_id` instead")]
-    pub fn table(mut self, table: u8) -> Self {
-        self.message.header.table = table;
-        self
-    }
-
-    /// Sets the route table ID.
-    ///
-    /// Default is main route table.
-    pub fn table_id(mut self, table: u32) -> Self {
-        if table > 255 {
-            self.message.attributes.push(RouteAttribute::Table(table));
-        } else {
-            self.message.header.table = table as u8;
-        }
-        self
-    }
-
-    /// Sets the route protocol.
-    ///
-    /// Default is static route protocol.
-    pub fn protocol(mut self, protocol: RouteProtocol) -> Self {
-        self.message.header.protocol = protocol;
-        self
-    }
-
-    /// Sets the route scope.
-    ///
-    /// Default is universe route scope.
-    pub fn scope(mut self, scope: RouteScope) -> Self {
-        self.message.header.scope = scope;
-        self
-    }
-
-    /// Sets the route kind.
-    ///
-    /// Default is unicast route kind.
-    pub fn kind(mut self, kind: RouteType) -> Self {
-        self.message.header.kind = kind;
-        self
-    }
-
-    /// Build an IP v4 route request
-    pub fn v4(mut self) -> RouteAddRequest<Ipv4Addr> {
-        self.message.header.address_family = AddressFamily::Inet;
-        RouteAddRequest {
-            handle: self.handle,
-            message: self.message,
-            replace: false,
-            _phantom: Default::default(),
-        }
-    }
-
-    /// Build an IP v6 route request
-    pub fn v6(mut self) -> RouteAddRequest<Ipv6Addr> {
-        self.message.header.address_family = AddressFamily::Inet6;
-        RouteAddRequest {
-            handle: self.handle,
-            message: self.message,
-            replace: false,
-            _phantom: Default::default(),
-        }
+    pub fn message_mut(&mut self) -> &mut RouteMessage {
+        &mut self.message
     }
 
     /// Replace existing matching route.
@@ -160,89 +61,4 @@ impl<T> RouteAddRequest<T> {
         }
         Ok(())
     }
-
-    /// Return a mutable reference to the request message.
-    pub fn message_mut(&mut self) -> &mut RouteMessage {
-        &mut self.message
-    }
-}
-
-impl RouteAddRequest<Ipv4Addr> {
-    /// Sets the source address prefix.
-    pub fn source_prefix(mut self, addr: Ipv4Addr, prefix_length: u8) -> Self {
-        self.message.header.source_prefix_length = prefix_length;
-        self.message
-            .attributes
-            .push(RouteAttribute::Source(RouteAddress::Inet(addr)));
-        self
-    }
-
-    /// Sets the preferred source address.
-    pub fn pref_source(mut self, addr: Ipv4Addr) -> Self {
-        self.message
-            .attributes
-            .push(RouteAttribute::PrefSource(RouteAddress::Inet(addr)));
-        self
-    }
-
-    /// Sets the destination address prefix.
-    pub fn destination_prefix(
-        mut self,
-        addr: Ipv4Addr,
-        prefix_length: u8,
-    ) -> Self {
-        self.message.header.destination_prefix_length = prefix_length;
-        self.message
-            .attributes
-            .push(RouteAttribute::Destination(RouteAddress::Inet(addr)));
-        self
-    }
-
-    /// Sets the gateway (via) address.
-    pub fn gateway(mut self, addr: Ipv4Addr) -> Self {
-        self.message
-            .attributes
-            .push(RouteAttribute::Gateway(RouteAddress::Inet(addr)));
-        self
-    }
-}
-
-impl RouteAddRequest<Ipv6Addr> {
-    /// Sets the source address prefix.
-    pub fn source_prefix(mut self, addr: Ipv6Addr, prefix_length: u8) -> Self {
-        self.message.header.source_prefix_length = prefix_length;
-        self.message
-            .attributes
-            .push(RouteAttribute::Source(RouteAddress::Inet6(addr)));
-        self
-    }
-
-    /// Sets the preferred source address.
-    pub fn pref_source(mut self, addr: Ipv6Addr) -> Self {
-        self.message
-            .attributes
-            .push(RouteAttribute::PrefSource(RouteAddress::Inet6(addr)));
-        self
-    }
-
-    /// Sets the destination address prefix.
-    pub fn destination_prefix(
-        mut self,
-        addr: Ipv6Addr,
-        prefix_length: u8,
-    ) -> Self {
-        self.message.header.destination_prefix_length = prefix_length;
-        self.message
-            .attributes
-            .push(RouteAttribute::Destination(RouteAddress::Inet6(addr)));
-        self
-    }
-
-    /// Sets the gateway (via) address.
-    pub fn gateway(mut self, addr: Ipv6Addr) -> Self {
-        self.message
-            .attributes
-            .push(RouteAttribute::Gateway(RouteAddress::Inet6(addr)));
-        self
-    }
 }
diff --git a/src/route/builder.rs b/src/route/builder.rs
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..c8024c1
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/route/builder.rs
@@ -0,0 +1,368 @@
+// SPDX-License-Identifier: MIT
+
+use std::{
+    marker::PhantomData,
+    net::{IpAddr, Ipv4Addr, Ipv6Addr},
+};
+
+use netlink_packet_route::{
+    route::{
+        RouteAddress, RouteAttribute, RouteHeader, RouteMessage, RouteProtocol,
+        RouteScope, RouteType,
+    },
+    AddressFamily,
+};
+
+pub struct RouteMessageBuilder<T = IpAddr> {
+    message: RouteMessage,
+    _phantom: PhantomData<T>,
+}
+
+impl<T> RouteMessageBuilder<T> {
+    fn new_no_address_family() -> Self {
+        let mut message = RouteMessage::default();
+        message.header.table = RouteHeader::RT_TABLE_MAIN;
+        message.header.protocol = RouteProtocol::Static;
+        message.header.scope = RouteScope::Universe;
+        message.header.kind = RouteType::Unicast;
+        Self {
+            message,
+            _phantom: Default::default(),
+        }
+    }
+
+    /// Sets the input interface index.
+    pub fn input_interface(mut self, index: u32) -> Self {
+        self.message.attributes.push(RouteAttribute::Iif(index));
+        self
+    }
+
+    /// Sets the output interface index.
+    pub fn output_interface(mut self, index: u32) -> Self {
+        self.message.attributes.push(RouteAttribute::Oif(index));
+        self
+    }
+
+    /// Sets the route priority (metric)
+    pub fn priority(mut self, priority: u32) -> Self {
+        self.message
+            .attributes
+            .push(RouteAttribute::Priority(priority));
+        self
+    }
+
+    /// Sets the route table ID.
+    ///
+    /// Default is main route table.
+    pub fn table_id(mut self, table: u32) -> Self {
+        if table > 255 {
+            self.message.attributes.push(RouteAttribute::Table(table));
+        } else {
+            self.message.header.table = table as u8;
+        }
+        self
+    }
+
+    /// Sets the route protocol.
+    ///
+    /// Default is static route protocol.
+    pub fn protocol(mut self, protocol: RouteProtocol) -> Self {
+        self.message.header.protocol = protocol;
+        self
+    }
+
+    /// Sets the route scope.
+    ///
+    /// Default is universe route scope.
+    pub fn scope(mut self, scope: RouteScope) -> Self {
+        self.message.header.scope = scope;
+        self
+    }
+
+    /// Sets the route kind.
+    ///
+    /// Default is unicast route kind.
+    pub fn kind(mut self, kind: RouteType) -> Self {
+        self.message.header.kind = kind;
+        self
+    }
+
+    /// Return a mutable reference to the request message.
+    pub fn get_mut(&mut self) -> &mut RouteMessage {
+        &mut self.message
+    }
+
+    pub fn build(self) -> RouteMessage {
+        self.message
+    }
+}
+
+impl RouteMessageBuilder<Ipv4Addr> {
+    pub fn new() -> Self {
+        let mut builder = Self::new_no_address_family();
+        builder.get_mut().header.address_family = AddressFamily::Inet;
+        builder
+    }
+
+    /// Sets the source address prefix.
+    pub fn source_prefix(mut self, addr: Ipv4Addr, prefix_length: u8) -> Self {
+        self.message.header.source_prefix_length = prefix_length;
+        self.message
+            .attributes
+            .push(RouteAttribute::Source(RouteAddress::Inet(addr)));
+        self
+    }
+
+    /// Sets the preferred source address.
+    pub fn pref_source(mut self, addr: Ipv4Addr) -> Self {
+        self.message
+            .attributes
+            .push(RouteAttribute::PrefSource(RouteAddress::Inet(addr)));
+        self
+    }
+
+    /// Sets the destination address prefix.
+    pub fn destination_prefix(
+        mut self,
+        addr: Ipv4Addr,
+        prefix_length: u8,
+    ) -> Self {
+        self.message.header.destination_prefix_length = prefix_length;
+        self.message
+            .attributes
+            .push(RouteAttribute::Destination(RouteAddress::Inet(addr)));
+        self
+    }
+
+    /// Sets the gateway (via) address.
+    pub fn gateway(mut self, addr: Ipv4Addr) -> Self {
+        self.message
+            .attributes
+            .push(RouteAttribute::Gateway(RouteAddress::Inet(addr)));
+        self
+    }
+}
+
+impl Default for RouteMessageBuilder<Ipv4Addr> {
+    fn default() -> Self {
+        Self::new()
+    }
+}
+
+impl RouteMessageBuilder<Ipv6Addr> {
+    pub fn new() -> Self {
+        let mut builder = Self::new_no_address_family();
+        builder.get_mut().header.address_family = AddressFamily::Inet6;
+        builder
+    }
+
+    /// Sets the source address prefix.
+    pub fn source_prefix(mut self, addr: Ipv6Addr, prefix_length: u8) -> Self {
+        self.message.header.source_prefix_length = prefix_length;
+        self.message
+            .attributes
+            .push(RouteAttribute::Source(RouteAddress::Inet6(addr)));
+        self
+    }
+
+    /// Sets the preferred source address.
+    pub fn pref_source(mut self, addr: Ipv6Addr) -> Self {
+        self.message
+            .attributes
+            .push(RouteAttribute::PrefSource(RouteAddress::Inet6(addr)));
+        self
+    }
+
+    /// Sets the destination address prefix.
+    pub fn destination_prefix(
+        mut self,
+        addr: Ipv6Addr,
+        prefix_length: u8,
+    ) -> Self {
+        self.message.header.destination_prefix_length = prefix_length;
+        self.message
+            .attributes
+            .push(RouteAttribute::Destination(RouteAddress::Inet6(addr)));
+        self
+    }
+
+    /// Sets the gateway (via) address.
+    pub fn gateway(mut self, addr: Ipv6Addr) -> Self {
+        self.message
+            .attributes
+            .push(RouteAttribute::Gateway(RouteAddress::Inet6(addr)));
+        self
+    }
+}
+
+impl Default for RouteMessageBuilder<Ipv6Addr> {
+    fn default() -> Self {
+        Self::new()
+    }
+}
+
+#[derive(Debug, thiserror::Error)]
+pub enum InvalidRouteMessage {
+    #[error("invalid address family {:?}", _0)]
+    AddressFamily(AddressFamily),
+
+    #[error("invalid gateway {}", _0)]
+    Gateway(IpAddr),
+
+    #[error("invalid preferred source {}", _0)]
+    PrefSource(IpAddr),
+
+    #[error("invalid source prefix {}/{}", _0, _1)]
+    SourcePrefix(IpAddr, u8),
+
+    #[error("invalid destination prefix {}/{}", _0, _1)]
+    DestinationPrefix(IpAddr, u8),
+}
+
+impl RouteMessageBuilder<IpAddr> {
+    pub fn new() -> Self {
+        Self::new_no_address_family()
+    }
+
+    /// Sets the source address prefix.
+    pub fn source_prefix(
+        mut self,
+        addr: IpAddr,
+        prefix_length: u8,
+    ) -> Result<Self, InvalidRouteMessage> {
+        self.set_address_family_from_ip_addr(addr);
+        match self.message.header.address_family {
+            AddressFamily::Inet => {
+                if addr.is_ipv6() || prefix_length > 32 {
+                    return Err(InvalidRouteMessage::SourcePrefix(
+                        addr,
+                        prefix_length,
+                    ));
+                }
+            }
+            AddressFamily::Inet6 => {
+                if addr.is_ipv4() || prefix_length > 128 {
+                    return Err(InvalidRouteMessage::SourcePrefix(
+                        addr,
+                        prefix_length,
+                    ));
+                }
+            }
+            af => return Err(InvalidRouteMessage::AddressFamily(af)),
+        };
+        self.message
+            .attributes
+            .push(RouteAttribute::Source(addr.into()));
+        self.message.header.source_prefix_length = prefix_length;
+        Ok(self)
+    }
+
+    /// Sets the preferred source address.
+    pub fn pref_source(
+        mut self,
+        addr: IpAddr,
+    ) -> Result<Self, InvalidRouteMessage> {
+        self.set_address_family_from_ip_addr(addr);
+        match self.message.header.address_family {
+            AddressFamily::Inet => {
+                if addr.is_ipv6() {
+                    return Err(InvalidRouteMessage::PrefSource(addr));
+                };
+            }
+            AddressFamily::Inet6 => {
+                if addr.is_ipv4() {
+                    return Err(InvalidRouteMessage::PrefSource(addr));
+                };
+            }
+            af => {
+                return Err(InvalidRouteMessage::AddressFamily(af));
+            }
+        }
+        self.message
+            .attributes
+            .push(RouteAttribute::PrefSource(addr.into()));
+        Ok(self)
+    }
+
+    /// Sets the destination address prefix.
+    pub fn destination_prefix(
+        mut self,
+        addr: IpAddr,
+        prefix_length: u8,
+    ) -> Result<Self, InvalidRouteMessage> {
+        self.set_address_family_from_ip_addr(addr);
+        match self.message.header.address_family {
+            AddressFamily::Inet => {
+                if addr.is_ipv6() || prefix_length > 32 {
+                    return Err(InvalidRouteMessage::DestinationPrefix(
+                        addr,
+                        prefix_length,
+                    ));
+                }
+            }
+            AddressFamily::Inet6 => {
+                if addr.is_ipv4() || prefix_length > 128 {
+                    return Err(InvalidRouteMessage::DestinationPrefix(
+                        addr,
+                        prefix_length,
+                    ));
+                }
+            }
+            af => {
+                return Err(InvalidRouteMessage::AddressFamily(af));
+            }
+        };
+        self.message.header.destination_prefix_length = prefix_length;
+        self.message
+            .attributes
+            .push(RouteAttribute::Destination(addr.into()));
+        Ok(self)
+    }
+
+    /// Sets the gateway (via) address.
+    pub fn gateway(
+        mut self,
+        addr: IpAddr,
+    ) -> Result<Self, InvalidRouteMessage> {
+        self.set_address_family_from_ip_addr(addr);
+        match self.message.header.address_family {
+            AddressFamily::Inet => {
+                if addr.is_ipv6() {
+                    return Err(InvalidRouteMessage::Gateway(addr));
+                };
+            }
+            AddressFamily::Inet6 => {
+                if addr.is_ipv4() {
+                    return Err(InvalidRouteMessage::Gateway(addr));
+                };
+            }
+            af => {
+                return Err(InvalidRouteMessage::AddressFamily(af));
+            }
+        }
+        self.message
+            .attributes
+            .push(RouteAttribute::Gateway(addr.into()));
+        Ok(self)
+    }
+
+    /// If it is not set already, set the address family based on the
+    /// given IP address. This is a noop is the address family is
+    /// already set.
+    fn set_address_family_from_ip_addr(&mut self, addr: IpAddr) {
+        if self.message.header.address_family != AddressFamily::Unspec {
+            return;
+        }
+        if addr.is_ipv4() {
+            self.message.header.address_family = AddressFamily::Inet;
+        } else {
+            self.message.header.address_family = AddressFamily::Inet6;
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+impl Default for RouteMessageBuilder<IpAddr> {
+    fn default() -> Self {
+        Self::new()
+    }
+}
diff --git a/src/route/handle.rs b/src/route/handle.rs
index e2d2116..c3bc820 100644
--- a/src/route/handle.rs
+++ b/src/route/handle.rs
@@ -19,8 +19,8 @@ impl RouteHandle {
     }
 
     /// Add an routing table entry (equivalent to `ip route add`)
-    pub fn add(&self) -> RouteAddRequest {
-        RouteAddRequest::new(self.0.clone())
+    pub fn add(&self, route: RouteMessage) -> RouteAddRequest {
+        RouteAddRequest::new(self.0.clone(), route)
     }
 
     /// Delete the given routing table entry (equivalent to `ip route del`)
diff --git a/src/route/mod.rs b/src/route/mod.rs
index 56747b3..e4b476c 100644
--- a/src/route/mod.rs
+++ b/src/route/mod.rs
@@ -11,3 +11,6 @@ pub use self::del::*;
 
 mod get;
 pub use self::get::*;
+
+mod builder;
+pub use self::builder::RouteMessageBuilder;