Highway ramps are every couple of blocks, so not too many cars are trying to use the same place. There are lots of ways to get from one place to another. The primary tactic this guide uses is simply spreading traffic out. Once you get past the beginning, money shouldn't really be an issue, but you can easily end up crippling your city by having poorly planned out highway access, which can bring everything grinding to a halt. (In fact they improve nearby property values.) These don't create pollution so they can be placed inside the city. Later you get crematoriums which don't fill up.
Water/Sewer: like electricity, these can be far from your city, and your pumps should be upstream of your water treatment plants, because you don't want people drinking that.These can be off in the boonies and you can run wires to your city. Power: you'll use (in order of unlocking) turbines, advanced turbines, solar, then nuclear.You also need to have enough capacity for all three education levels. As you place each building you will see the coverage area it provides (it will show green roads on the map). Services include medical, police, fire, deathcare, education (elementary/high school/university), leisure, and radio (DLC). For zones to level up they need a high property value and your city needs to have space for all pupils in your educational system. Your zones can level up, producing more money, and housing, employing more people.
Great buffer zone as it doesn't produce pollution or noise but can tolerate it.