Europa Universalis 5 How to Build Roads

Original Guide by GamerBlurb.com | Published on 11/04/2025 at 10:58 PM CST

Europa Universalis V

Roads make or break your empire in Europa Universalis 5. They decide how fast your armies move, how easily you collect taxes, and how close your provinces feel to the capital. Here’s how to actually build them and make sure your network pays off.

How to Build Roads in Europa Universalis 5

To build roads, start by selecting any province you control on the map. The province window opens with its main management screen. Look for the Infrastructure section inside that menu. This is where public works like roads can be built.

Click the Roads option to start planning. The map highlights all possible connections from that province. Choose another province or nearby city to link with. A small panel shows how much gold the project costs and how long it takes to complete. Confirm the project to begin construction.

You can check progress by returning to the same province and viewing the active constructions list. Once the timer finishes, the connection appears visually on the map and starts improving movement and Control between the two points.

How Roads Affect Control and Proximity

Roads shorten the effective distance between provinces. The game measures this using a hidden value called Proximity. Higher Proximity means your government reaches that area more easily. This directly boosts Control, which increases tax collection and levy strength.

Trade also benefits since goods move faster through connected locations. If your borders stretch far from the capital, roads are the best way to keep your country from falling behind in efficiency.

Building Strategy and Road Planning

Roads cost ducats and time, so it helps to plan ahead instead of building everywhere at once.

Start by connecting your capital to major cities or trade hubs
Extend roads to high-tax provinces before smaller borderlands
Use them to shorten army routes to key fronts or fort lines
Avoid overspending early when your income is still weak
Use map view to help pick best spots

Mountains and rough terrain take longer to build through, so linking flatter regions first saves money. Over time, a strong network spreads stability faster than most reforms can.

Final Blurb

Roads in Europa Universalis 5 are the quiet power behind a strong realm. They tie your empire together, keep armies mobile, and push tax money home faster. Build them with purpose, keep an eye on costs, and your crown will rule farther than ever.

FAQ

How do I start building roads

Select a province, open its management window, and pick the Roads option under Infrastructure to plan a connection.

What does Proximity mean

It measures how connected a province is to your capital and affects Control, income, and military supply.

Are roads expensive

Yes, especially early on. Focus on high-value regions before building a full network.

Do roads improve army speed

Yes, units travel faster between connected provinces, which helps both offensively and defensively.

Can I see road connections easily

Use the Proximity map view to spot where your infrastructure is strongest and where you still need roads.