Road Layout Basics - Design Guide (Cities Skylines Tutorial)

*Warning: This is a really old tutorial*
Check the pinned comment below if you are looking for traffic tips.
In this tutorial I cover some of the following techniques that will allow you to create great looking city layouts:
00:20 - Finding the center of your city tile
02:09 - Creating a grid layout of city blocks
02:42 - A faster way of creating a grid layout
04:13 - Upgrading the primary roads
04:33 - Improving the grid layout
05:11 - Using the curve tool for rounding corners
06:08 - The first roundabout
07:36 - Adding diagonals
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Ways to reach me
- Official Website / strictoaster.com
- Twitter / / strictoaster (Where I'm the most active)
- Facebook / / strictoaster
- Twitch / / strictoaster
Computer Specs & Recording Gear
bit.ly/StrictsGear

[@Adol666]

Im no expert but I can see massive massive traffic problems with this.

[@gamerpaddy]

design over function, like all of these unlimited money peasants

[@samthomas7107]

Could upgrade the roads

[@NCXDesigns]

Have you seen satellite views of some cities? DC and New York being examples

[@Adol666]

Dustin Lehman Which have horrible traffic problems lol

[@christophergoffi3008]

Dustin Lehman Don't do anything dc does for traffic you go a block every 30 minutes. Gotta love dc gridlock.

[@thegreatninjaman]

this layout does not help with limited money LOL

[@pappi8338]

+David Wiita That's what taxes are meant for right!? Might as well have a nice drive when going to the cemetery

[@evangomez7451]

TheIrie One w

[@xavierrodriguez2463]

Just tax the shit out of people.

[@lunaazizella5253]

Xavier Rodriguez just like they do it in poland :-)

[@aedegroot94]

just the initial cross costs half of your entire starting budget, lmao

[@UncleP4pr1k4]

"Intended for medium to experienced players..." *Begins explaining how to make a curved road* O_O

[@enfynet]

It’s for experienced players because they know how to fix it lmao

[@andreimanta3150]

This is more like how to have mid-late game heavy unsolvable traffic

[@carbon1255]

+The Mighty Cupcake I will say that my city is 50k a week on one tile with only 2 lane roads in blocks without traffic problems...

[@MrMniksRB]

there is almost no unsolvable traffic. nobody gives enough attention to public transportation. it's got to be planned reeeally good. i almost don't have cars in my city (40k) but streets are filled (but not overcrowded) with buses, trams, trains and so on. 40k population, 6k people using public transport. the only little red spots are city enters, but i'm way too lazy to fix it, it still moves tho

[@Cafferssss]

thing is red isnt bad, so long as its moving so you are totally fine there. Couldn't agree more on the other services though. Roads are like a small issue with traffic?! Metro, trains, footpaths etc will reduce your traffic problems when utilised and thought out properly. I'm learning that the hard way right now. I have metro's etc but i laid them out badly and with nearly 100k people in the city only 4k are using my metro system. Gonna do a restart soon so I can think about things more deeply.

[@AvoidTheCadaver]

Nw.Caffers I'm working on a city that hit 150k+ and has an extensive metro network. Some metro lines are heavily used. 1500+ users a week while others are not used much, like less than 100 a week. But that's ok because as the city expands those metro lines get expanded into the new districts.

[@midnmusic2217]

AvoidTheCadaver that's what I have, I get over 2,500+ on one metro line, and over 4000 on my train lines

[@professoryakkington9691]

What did you call this, Gridlock City? Sure, it looks pretty, but I'll be damned if that doesn't bring you traffic congestion of nightmarish proportions.

[@GodActio]

+Elf Monster I wish I could like this even more!

[@schzean]

+ Professor Yakkington I did a grid city with just two way and one way two lane roads, have 60K population, and very few traffic issues, less I would say than comparable city with more traditional grid with some six lane, four lane and one ways interspersed. I had to work on some areas that were two way and change to one way, but in this game it actually worked quite well.

[@neurofiedyamato8763]

I agree grid cities in C:S tend to get bad traffic but there are ways to make it work. Grid city needs larger blocks so intersections are more spread out easing congestion. However don't have intersection TOO far as that will force all the cars and people to go to one intersection. Area where there's a lot of intersection should use more one-way to help keep a constant flow. Usually a zig-zag works well. Main roads definitely need to be multi-lane. And in addition, it needs to have several connections to other sections of the city in order to avoid a single main road getting clogged. This should be easy with grid cities. With a moderately efficient mass transit and a few walk paths along the outskirts and main roads, traffic shouldn't be a major issue.

[@EnricoWack]

uses 40K at start of map to get the center. LMFAO

[@gameu360]

That's what I did in my very first game, needless to say that the traffic was a nightmare.

[@vovozaum]

This is not even a design guide... is just you putting down roads in a very random way and saying its pretty when its not...

[@__-_.]

In tears after I followed this entire tutorial and then looked at the comments-

[@ImyuSeiya]

Literally just did this -_-

[@strictoaster]

If you came here for tips on how to solve traffic congestion the most essential tip I can give you is to spread out the traffic flow in your city as much as you can. In other words, make sure you don't have one single road connecting to your exit freeway, add multiple entry-exit points, specially for your industrial areas. And if you are playing with mods, this one is a MUST for fine tuning the way traffic behaves: steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=583429740 My videos in general are oriented around aesthetics and detailing of cities, if that's more your thing check out the playlist below for more tutorials: kzbin.info/aero/PLYTjyn6fVp5gT7EOsA3celBlCQZ4c1qe4

[@benthansen972]

Building roads like this will give you one VERY BIG problem, and that is trafic. Looking at your roads, and this guid, I notes that you have alot of trafic light´s. Now the problem with that is, that every time you have a trafic light, the cars and trucks ( etc ) most stop for red light.Now, If the trafic-light, is to close to each other,the trafic will start to building it self op on the roads, wich in the long run will give you truble. The idea of this road building that you show here, is fun YEAH, but it will not work very vell, when there is more then 50.000 peoples in the city. then it will only give you trafic truble....

[@TENGILL]

Hi Strictoaster. What i have done is created road template in the asset editor. This takes the guesswork out of placing down the roads, as all you have to do is selecting a template and placing it down. If you do one you can then place it on the steam works for others to use. Doing this will save you a lot of time when in the game.

[@patfac100]

TENGILL can you please that would be great!

[@ghostgh0st]

Please upload it.

[@TENGILL]

Search for the steam user "LumberingTroll". He was the one that posted the first grid system assets in the workshop. I still use his designs some times.

[@ghostgh0st]

Okay, thank you.

[@TENGILL]

This is the link to his steam workshop page: steamcommunity.com/id/LumberingTroll/myworkshopfiles/?appid=255710

[@austinburnz5754]

Grids are boring. Your city does not have to be prefect. It looks better if you design it not if you look up videos on how to do it.

[@appleclaws9653]

So happy you are back to share your awesome techniques, 10/10! Best designer I've seen in the genre.

[@kncpt14]

I love to see you back in this, nice to see it in one of my favourite games as well!

[@Azizrian]

This was awesome. I'd been thinking about how to revamp my road technique in regard to late-game traffic issues, and this was great! Gotta love that traffic simulator 2015.

[@j_eldridge]

What map do you use for this series??

[@arashk1849]

This is why I don’t usually watch random youtubers for cities skylines some of these people have no idea what they’re doing. Good i clicked on a recommended video after so long and reminded myself.

[@Simon-ow6td]

I thought the comments were jokeing, but holy cow does that layout lead to horrible traffic longterm!

[@Nyitemare]

Excited for this series! =D Good to see you back Strictoaster!

[@simmile100]

Hi Strictoaster, this video definitely conveys why I am glad to have you back. I have been looking for someone who shares both your skill for creating and explaining clearly. Thanks for the video!

[@hjaltewallin]

Looks great, albeit very intersection heavy. Would probably upgrade the diagonals and remove some of the grid for better traffic. Very space efficient though, and services will most likely get around great.

[@strictoaster]

Hjalte Engel having several intersections won't be the major cause of traffic jams, specially when most of them have stop signs. I also think the traffic AI will get better with future updates.

[@OG-Jakey]

Awesome, so wasn't expecting a video from you yet!!!!

[@snurfbee58]

Very helpful! I've only been playing for a month or two and have had the worst time setting up roads that looked nice. Thanks!

[@jmira6436]

This is the absolute worst thing I have ever seen.

[@jasper4549]

What did you look in a mirror

[@doge8825]

Jasper Brown such an original roast! Do you want a paper hat?

[@jasper4549]

DOGE same thing with that profile picture

[@doge8825]

Jasper Brown I didn’t try to be original with mine. I made this acc when theme meme was still “hot” stuff and I can’t be bothered to change it cuz I’m hella lazy.

[@jasper4549]

I wasn’t either also it was just a joke

It's great to see you back, I'm looking forward for the awesome designs you will make in this game.

[@tiredofstupidnames]

Wow! It's amazing how much better the road system is at launch than SimCity was at its end... with mods. Very nice video. Thank you for the tips.

[@floridmonkey2723]

This is a terrible way to design a city.

[@filiboy5932]

Its a town, and its a good design

[@TheAdskidids1]

No, intersections = traffic jams and this whole fucking thing is intersections

[@maxair95]

This is a nice design, space saving & efficient, as well as dynamic.

[@garwoodii]

Hey, was this a custom map or a generic one in the game? I trying to find it now..

[@wretchedslippage3255]

Ive been mildly successful at this game for the past 30 or so hours ive put into it trying to learn how things work. I laid out a roadmap based on this technique and so far its my most successful town/soon to be city!

[@DuaLeaD]

....Talks about how grids are "boring". I fast forward several minutes and he's made a grid with a roundabout in the middle....

[@donato286]

Lol it's funny to listen to you from 4 years ago. Your pronunciation is more Spanish-sounding and your voice hasn't fully broken. A piece of history ☺

[@k.c84455]

thankyou for your help, easy to follow instructions and simplistic terminology. will come back!

[@VishalAggarwalGameDev]

This is a very bad of Path layout. The reason is -- Big Traffic problem due to multiple signals at every road exit. Please reconsider and let me know if you have a better design in mind

[@tubbyman77]

Such good editing, and it clearly shows both your skill and effort when it comes to video making. You have definitely earned a new subscriber today! Great video too! Awesome tips, very well done all around. :)

[@MyWorG]

Glad you came back :)

[@Geckokidthepaladin]

Lovely video, can't wait for more! :D and your voice is really soothing XD

[@k.c84455]

Thankyou so much! :D I just started playing Cities Skylines and I'm hooked, so many things to do and not enough time haha Thanks for the tips, I've now subscribed!

[@ryanfish91]

I love your videos! please keep doing stuff like this, its magnificent!

[@ruthlessadmin]

Whew...you had me going there for a minute. Thought you were actually going to advise people to make a perfect grid as if that's somehow a viable strategy in this game. Been there. Done that. Got the gridlock. It took me about 1000 hours playing to even start to master road layouts and traffic in this game. What I've found is, your first connection to the highways shouldn't really be IN your city - it should be a part of it. Forget roundabouts and terminating to an avenue or one-ways. You need to build proper interchanges, and bypasses, and primary roads (oh my) - it's tedious and time consuming but the results are amazing. My most realistic looking city also happens to function the best in every metric.

[@whatsit50]

Thank you, starting the initial layout is the hardest part for me

[@chan06a29]

I haven't play simcity since you left youtube, and now you starting me off for another game ;)

[@lucifer6966]

Three years later and this is still one of the worst tutorials out there. However slight redesigns and using one way, two way, 4 lane ave, as well as trams, busses, and taxis are needed. This style works up to 50k population at the best.

[@Cafferssss]

I've had this game for a 3 days. I've learned recently by experience that other infastructre such as public transport and particularly clever use of railways and metro systems can fix most problems you have with traffic. If you add clever paths and such you won't get horrible traffic. I'm about to restart my town again after hitting 100k to really nail the other services this time.

[@FreeMusicStorageFMS]

Great tutorial!Thank you.

[@wep1976]

thnx .. i started with this game a few weeks ago.. road mapping and some other things where like .. meh...and now i stumbled on your tutorials.. it's a big help. thank you so much for this.

[@paradox...]

So I just stumbled on your channel and wow, I'm so glad that I did. Your videos are on point, and I'm especially speaking about the quality (2K!) & design (motion graphics galore!). There are tons of gaming channels out there but your stands out by how ascetically pleasing it is! I love games but do some design and video editing work, too, so I really appreciate what you've got going here :) Keep it up, you just got a new subscriber!

[@strictoaster]

Paradox thanks! I was aiming for 4K recording but this game doesn't like any of my capturing software, 1440p is the max. I feel like my motion graphics have gotten a bit lazy, they used to be much more produced :D

[@luismartins3379]

I really hope you consider doing a "Let's Design Cities Skylines" series. I'm tired of watching people making these boring grid-like cities or ugly and senseless curvy cities without a single bit of logic in them, just trying to grow their cities as fast as possible without any sense of aesthetics. You are by far one of the youtubers I enjoy playing these types of games the most because you pay attention to small details and make really some of the most attractive cities. I'm sure there are a lot of people who think the same way I do, so please consider making this a series, even having limited time. We understand your situation and we don't mind waiting for the videos.

[@d1want34]

awesome man!

[@MontePlaysGames]

Good to see you back. Looking good.

[@derikaquary9451]

Awesome dude thanks for making this video

[@bigpizzapie]

Great vid. Thanks for the tips

[@joddy574]

Appreciated it! Helpful video! Thank you

[@tpbsworkshop717]

Wow you're back! I am a huge fan of yours! So glad to see you're back.

[@knockshinnoch1950]

Just discovered your channel, Great tutorial, informative and entertaining.

[@narcis4none]

Finnaly now i know how to make a Roundabout... Thank you sir! Subbed.

[@svondervoort]

Great guide! Want more! :D

[@laureven]

i lasted 5 min ....this is guide to design grids ...super interesting ....to spices up start from perfect middle :)

[@SBKWaffles]

Yay! I WANT MORE!!!

[@TowMater603]

does anyone know if there is a Bus Lane mod ?? I am seeking the lanes that are in the Traffic++ , but are stand-alone . Reason : traffic++ Conflicts with my Traffic Manager and what I mean by that is that is , I do not have the option to change my Lanes via Traffic Manager making that mod rather useless to me. I can go into further detail , but I see that it will not help much. thank you for any help you can offer.

[@scream_follow1520]

Even after three years I have to say as a cs beginner: holy moly is this technic crappy at all xD you teach ppl how to get stressed after 2 min ingame time and ragequit after all. Props for this tutorial about a network you learn in grade 3

[@AzraelDAoD]

Great to see you back again. Saw the game and thought "sadly strictoaster has quit. Would be great to see him design a city here." And here it is. :) I'm realy exited, what will come. Keep you great work on.

[@strictoaster]

AzraelDAoD your wish is my ⌘

[@TS_Mind_Swept]

interesting, although i didn't really learn that much, there were a lot of interesting things you did, I liked that music too.

[@seandennihybailey3955]

Really nice and well presented video series, good job.

[@thegrandlord2914]

eventhough im not playing cities skyline but cities xl, i can use some of your technique to make some cool road.

[@Poopdahoop]

Wow - I just found out about this channel - instantly subbed. :D

[@thihaaung3095]

Hey i like this design!Thanks for showing design!

[@fgmods]

This is a godaweful design I suck at this game and I could tell form the moment you started using such a congested grid that your traffic will be fucked with only a few thousand population

[@glennangay-angay2856]

Strictoaster where did you put the residencial, comercial and industrial zone? You have the video of it? Can you share also ? Im following your road build

[@mikakoli1123]

Thanks for the tips

[@Oniiizukaa]

When you stopped making videos I unsubscribed.. Well, time to subscribe again I guess ! Nice to have you back :)

[@aregst]

awful, irrational, un-strategic

[@legohead23432]

aregst like your face

[@jasper4549]

Ooooohhhhhh roasted

[@cheesesteakphilly]

@Rager Lame. Try again.

[@aregst]

@@cheesesteakphilly Nothing more is expected from a creature like that, unfortunately

[@Schnupfndrache7]

what's the name of the mod that gives you the range indicator for streets and shows the angles ?

[@Fabiocski]

learned a lot here. thanks

[@LifeByLacey]

Love the idea of not starting your city on the highway. Thanks for sharing!

[@arandomkenyan]

Thank you! Great tips #Liked&Subbed!

[@susa.k.a.pinkguy2036]

what is the map called in the beginnning of the video the one with the flat land

[@Blazer433]

awesome!!

[@Baleur]

Looks nice, but currently there is no point having roundabouts built of anything but highway ramps, since the citizens never use any other lane than the outer most lane in roundabouts (they dont use both lanes on two-lane one-way roads, they all clog up into the outer most lane). Since highway ramps have a maximum speed limit of 100, they are optimal for making roundabouts. They are also the smallest thinnest roads!

[@GodActio]

initial grid road better as circles due to sim walking distance (12 city blocks) I build my circles with a radius of 5 city blocks, using split hemispheres with the connections across interstate - I have almost no traffic! sims walk to work or shopping, or if inter-city travel, they walk to the subway.

[@ikorbln]

Very nice, thx.

[@Occidentally]

What do you think your design is good for? Looking good? You seem to not understand about fractal road design

[@RBLXProd]

I recommend you add sky cities: Cities from the top of mountains it will look nice

[@Zhatt]

Awesome tips! Looking forward to more!

[@strictoaster]

***** same here! (from you) :D

[@ImThe5thKing]

This was literally the first thing I did after downloading the game. It's like the easiest way to start a city.

[@gustavosantos106]

Starting a new city, puting a 200k diagonal road wouldn't be instant game over?

[@Ferachish]

Can you share the link of this map ? or if anyone know its name pls can u share ? Thanks for the guide.

[@d133710n]

Thanks for the tutorial 4 years later!

[@hypnozzz]

Biffa will laugh and sip a lot of tea when he fixes your traffic problems 🤣

[@LiKEdesignz]

great great video. subbed.

[@bloodbrothers1779]

My opinion from my experience : Road building is the most essential thing in CS, a good choice of road will have better traffic in the future, & also helps a lot in population growth. Grid design is fine as long as you planned it well with suitable road of choice. I always try to mix road with highways. Also,try to zone carefully & SLOWLY in a time. Do not eager to zone everything all in the same time or else will end up with horrible DEATH WAVE, which will require tons of hearses on the road moving around adding to traffic problems. I always zone 5 resi, 1 comm, 3 factories & 1 or 2 offices, all these in one time, then i wait for "1 month" to start new zoning. So far i dont see any death wave. For bonus put Eldercare hospital to gradually raise senior's average age. If 10 houses showing "skull" symbols better open new crematorium/cemetery/raise Health budget to get more hearses instantly to quickly solve the problem. To me i prefer to put 1 cemetery (open all time), & 3 crematoriums (On/Off) placed as near as possible to cemetery. This can save a lot of time during clearing space for cemetery, & easier to open all of them when 10-house-skull concept comes up. CS is a problem-solving game than a 1 minute fun game. Hope u guys enjoy 😃

[@NCXDesigns]

KZbin randomly played one of your videos and im glad it did This video really helped with how to start my city. Have you tried Transport Fever also? Its like Cities Skylines but more heavily focused on trains and other transport. Subscribed!

[@Evilkwiet]

my graphics are crappy, altough its all on ultra high. my pc is beast enough to run it. any idea how?

[@DerSky]

Hi Strictoaster! Your Links on the Endcard dont work :P :)

[@taingchhungheaur5482]

hello. could me you something. i also want to build my city in my dream. but i dont which program. so what program that you have been using? i also want it. thanks

[@sinecosine7493]

Game. Cities: Skylines

[@elmagico1082]

great "take your OCD to a whole new level" tutorial

[@markknudsen1755]

Can there please be an update? But please also consider the limit from when starting out

[@ginhobrz92]

God bless u, great video!!

[@Jamie-666]

Thank you!!