VANET (Vehicular Ad-hoc Network) facilitates real-time and efficient communication among vehicles via vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-infrastructure interactions. The continuously evolving topology of VANET raises significant concerns about scalability and dependability. Many manufacturers produce vehicles, making it crucial to consider the heterogeneity in VANET routing. Using Software Defined Networking (SDN) and Vehicular Ad Hoc Networks (SD-VANET) together makes it easier to handle heterogeneity and scalability. However, the Roadside Unit’s (RSU) workload is still a big issue. This study proposes a cluster-based routing method for SD-VANET, termed MC2R (Multi Criteria based Cluster Routing for Software Defined VANET). The Multiple Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) method has been used to identify the cluster head that minimizes the expenses associated with cluster head selection. The Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) and the Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) are used for decision-making purposes. The efficacy of the suggested work has been assessed in comparison to leading routing algorithms. The suggested routing protocols demonstrated commendable performance in throughput, end-to-end latency, and cluster head longevity. The finding indicates a significant reduction in the burden of RSU.