I get the feeling you are talking about simgle sided board layout, probably home etched?
If so, i generally treat as a double side with just straight via-to-via traces on the off-side which in fabricating i use wire links, or when possible i use a 1206 0R footprint with a "jumper" segment connecting both pads.
The 1206 trick is handy but it does mean if you update from schematic those 1206's go away, so it can be better to just use 2 vias and a bavk side trace set apart suitable you can just remember to solder a 1206 on instead of jumper wire (I wish we could have rectangular shaped via pads).