Grand Theft Auto V Walkthrough — Start to Endgame

Grand Theft Auto V is Rockstar's genre-defining open-world crime game set in the fictional city of Los Santos, a satirical recreation of Los Angeles. The single-player campaign follows three protagonists — Michael, Trevor, and Franklin — through an interconnected heist storyline. GTA Online, the multiplayer component, has become a massive live-service game with hundreds of hours of content including heists, businesses, races, and freemode activities. Over 200 million copies sold makes it one of the best-selling games in history.

This walkthrough takes you from your first session to endgame content. Each phase has specific goals, priorities, and milestones. Follow this path to avoid common traps that stall most players.

Quick Progression Summary

Phase 1: Getting Started — Los Santos

The main city based on Los Angeles — downtown skyscrapers, beaches, Beverly Hills mansions, South Central neighborhoods, and Hollywood. Contains most mission givers, shops, and activities. The city is incredibly detailed with thousands of NPCs and activities.

Level/Difficulty: Entire game Key Rewards: Main story missions, properties, shops, activities

What to Do in Los Santos

1. Learn heist missions. Multi-part story missions requiring preparation (scoping targets, acquiring equipment, choosing crew) before the main heist. Spend your first session getting comfortable with this.
2. Pick Trevor as your starting role. It's the most forgiving option.
3. Invest in the stock market before assassination missions — Lester tells you which company to invest in. This can earn billions of dollars if you invest with all three characters.
4. Acquire your first weapons upgrade — RPG or whatever's available.
5. Clear all main content before moving on.

Phase 1 Checklist

• Understand heist missions fundamentals
• Trevor selected and functional
• Los Santos main content cleared
• Ready for Blaine County

Phase 2: Early Game — Blaine County

The rural countryside north of Los Santos with desert, mountains, and small towns. Trevor's territory. Contains Trevor's safehouse, Alamo Sea, and Mount Chiliad. Less police presence makes it ideal for weapon testing.

Level/Difficulty: Mid-game+ Key Rewards: Trevor's missions, meth lab businesses, rural exploration

What to Do in Blaine County

1. Work on stock market manipulation. The BAWSAQ and LCN stock exchanges respond to story events. This system becomes critical from here on.
2. Farm for RPG if you haven't already. It's the key upgrade for this phase.
3. Franklin's special ability (slow-mo driving) trivializes every car chase. Activate it during tight turns and when shooting from vehicles.
4. Complete all objectives before pushing to Mount Chiliad.
5. Consider whether Michael might suit your playstyle better than Trevor.

Phase 2 Checklist

• stock market manipulation integrated into gameplay
• RPG acquired
• Blaine County fully cleared
• Ready for Mount Chiliad

Phase 3: Mid Game — Mount Chiliad

The tallest mountain with a mystery mural, cable car, and base jumping opportunities. The summit provides views of the entire map. The mystery mural inspired years of community speculation about hidden secrets.

Level/Difficulty: Any time (exploration) Key Rewards: Base jumping, scenic views, mystery mural

What to Do in Mount Chiliad

1. Master character switching. Seamlessly switch between Michael, Trevor, and Franklin during freemode and specific missions. This unlocks a new layer of gameplay.
2. Start working toward Minigun. It's the best weapon and becomes accessible around now.
3. Buy Los Santos Customs (available early) for free vehicle modifications on any car. Normally, vehicle mods cost thousands.
4. This area is the main skill check. If you can clear it, you're ready for late game.
5. Start investing in property ownership for the tactical depth you'll need going forward.

Phase 3 Checklist

• character switching mastered
• Minigun acquired or in progress
• Mount Chiliad fully cleared
• Ready for Vinewood

Phase 4: Late Game — Vinewood

GTA's Hollywood — movie studios, celebrity mansions, and the Vinewood sign. Michael's mansion is here. Contains high-end shops, nightclubs, and the movie studio where some missions take place.

Level/Difficulty: Entire game Key Rewards: Michael's home, high-end shopping, celebrity encounters

What to Do in Vinewood

1. Finalize your build. You should be running Michael or Trevor with optimized gear.
2. Minigun should be your primary. If you don't have it yet, prioritize getting it.
3. Complete all Strangers and Freaks missions for 100% completion. They provide unique rewards, character development, and some of the funniest content in the game.
4. vehicle customization optimization starts here. Small improvements compound into massive advantages.
5. Farm this area for the resources needed to push into Sandy Shores.

Phase 4 Checklist

• Build fully optimized
• Minigun upgraded to max
• Vinewood fully cleared
• Ready for Sandy Shores

Phase 5: Endgame — Sandy Shores

Trevor's desert hometown with his trailer, meth lab, and various eccentric NPCs. The starting point for many of Trevor's side missions and strangers & freaks encounters.

Level/Difficulty: Trevor's introduction+ Key Rewards: Trevor's safehouse, desert activities, side missions

What to Do in Sandy Shores

1. Sandy Shores tests everything. Come prepared with your best build and gear.
2. The submarine (purchased as Michael) gives access to nuclear waste collectibles worth $690,000 total. Also needed for some side content.
3. The endgame loop: run Sandy Shores, optimize gear, push harder content.
4. Experiment with Heist Leader for a fresh take once you've mastered the standard builds.
5. This is where vehicle customization mastery separates good players from great ones.

Phase 5 Checklist

• Endgame content on farm
• Best-in-slot gear acquired
• Sandy Shores fully cleared
• Ready for challenge content

Common Progression Mistakes

• Doing assassination missions before completing the main story — the stock market payouts from assassinations are best when you have maximum cash to invest. Save all Lester assassination missions until after The Big Score.
• Spending all money on vehicles and weapons early — properties generate passive income that compounds. Buy income-generating properties first, luxuries second.
• Ignoring Franklin's special ability during chases — every pursuit mission becomes trivially easy with slow-motion driving. Use it on every tight corner.
• Not buying body armor before missions — body armor from Ammu-Nation provides significant damage reduction. Always stock up before story missions.
• Selling rare vehicles — some cars found in the world can't be repurchased. Store interesting vehicles in character garages rather than abandoning them.

Key Tips for Smooth Progression

1. Invest in the stock market before assassination missions — Lester tells you which company to invest in. This can earn billions of dollars if you invest with all three characters.
2. Franklin's special ability (slow-mo driving) trivializes every car chase. Activate it during tight turns and when shooting from vehicles.
3. Buy Los Santos Customs (available early) for free vehicle modifications on any car. Normally, vehicle mods cost thousands.
4. Complete all Strangers and Freaks missions for 100% completion. They provide unique rewards, character development, and some of the funniest content in the game.
5. The submarine (purchased as Michael) gives access to nuclear waste collectibles worth $690,000 total. Also needed for some side content.

For detailed build optimization, see Grand Theft Auto V builds. For quick wins, check tips & tricks.