Dynamic　clustering　provides　a　scalable　and　energy　efficient　solution　for　data　transmission　in　wireless　sensor　networks.　Observing　the　fact　that　the　cluster　reorganization　can　not　solve　the　problem　of　imbalanced　energy　consumption　in　the　inter-cluster　communication,　we　propose　an　adaptive　routing　strategy　for　cluster-based　wireless　sensor　networks　(ARC).　The　goal　of　ARC　is　to　balance　the　energy　consumption　of　nodes　by　adaptively　controlling　the　modes　of　inter-cluster　routing.　In　ARC,　an　adaptive　energy　threshold　and　a　tunable　cost　function　are　designed　for　cluster　heads　to　make　routing　decisions.　Simulation　results　demonstrate　that　ARC　effectively　balances　the　energy　consumption　in　the　inter-cluster　communication,　and　hence　improves　the　energy　efficiency　and　prolongs　the　network　lifetime.　©　2015　IEEE.