How Long to Drive Across the Map in GTA 5, RDR2, and GTA 6

The GTA 6 map is going to be one of Rockstar's biggest open worlds yet. Set in Leonida, the map is expected to be much larger than GTA 5 and RDR2, with plenty of detailed locations to explore. But how long does it take to drive across the GTA 6 map, and how does it compare to previous Rockstar games? Let's find out by comparing travel times across GTA 5, GTA 6, and Red Dead Redemption 2.

How Long to Drive Across the GTA 5, RDR2, and GTA 6 Maps?

Let’s go through each map so you have a solid comparison:

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Grand Theft Auto 5

Most GTA players know this map by heart at this point. Getting from one end to the other takes 10 to 15 minutes by car, depending on your route and what you’re driving. If you grab something fast and drive mostly in a straight line, you can cut that down to around 3.5 minutes. Doing it on foot, though? That’s a 2 to 2.5 hour walk, which, realistically, no one does by choice.

Red Dead Redemption 2

RDR2’s map always feels bigger than it is because the terrain constantly slows you down with the mountains, rivers, and muddy trails. But crossing the full accessible world on horseback at a relaxed pace takes roughly 16 minutes. I always felt like it took longer during actual gameplay, which speaks to how well Rockstar filled that space with things that grab your attention. On foot, you’re looking at over 3 hours of walking.

Grand Theft Auto 6

Rockstar has described Leonida as nearly matching the combined playable areas of GTA 4, GTA 5, and Red Dead Redemption 2. Based on fan measurements from trailer footage, driving across the GTA 6 map could take around 35 minutes at an average speed. Flying across Leonida in a jet could take roughly 7 minutes, while walking from one end to the other could take almost 3 hours or more. These are fan estimates rather than official travel times, but they give a good idea of just how massive GTA 6's map could be.

That 35-minute drive won't be all highways and empty roads, either. Leonida has six confirmed regions, each with its own look and feel. You'll find forests and wildlife in Mount Kalaga National Park, rural landscapes and a sugar refinery in Ambrosia, and swamps filled with alligators and mangroves in Grassrivers. Further south, Vice City brings neon lights, beaches, and Art Deco buildings, while Port Gellhorn offers a rougher industrial atmosphere. At the southern tip, the Leonida Keys features tropical islands connected by bridges. With so much variety along the way, the drive should never feel boring.

Driving through six completely different regions back to back, you’re also going to want something good playing. That’s where GTA's music always saves the day. The GTA 6 album features 34 songs, giving you plenty to listen to while exploring Leonida. You can also check out the game's original score by Justice or switch to the in-game radio, which features different music genres and radio hosts. There's a good chance you'll find a station that makes even a long drive across the map more enjoyable.

Below is the latest version of the GTA 6 community mapping project, which is still a work in progress. Based on current fan estimates, Vice City could potentially be twice the size of Los Santos and much denser.

Keep in mind that this is a fan-made map, not the official GTA 6 map from Rockstar. The island's final shape, layout, and exact locations could still change as more information becomes available. However, it gives a rough idea of how large Leonida could be.

Why Is the GTA 6 Map So Much Bigger?

Rockstar has confirmed that Leonida is the largest map they’ve ever built and that's definitely an insane amount of space to fill. The Florida shape plays a big role too. It’s long and stretched from north to south, which naturally increases the straight-line distance compared to GTA 5’s more squared-off layout. Factor in actual road curves, traffic, weather, and the general chaos of a Grand Theft Auto game, and that 35-minute estimate is probably a best-case scenario in real gameplay. Map size only matters if it’s full of actual things to do. GTA 5 kept its space dense and interesting. RDR2 made every corner feel alive. If Rockstar does the same with Leonida, 35 minutes of driving should feel very engaging and not empty.

Additionally, GTA 6 already has a fast travel option called RydeMe. This is an app that you can use from your in-game phone, so you won't always have to drive across Leonida yourself. But for anyone who actually enjoys cruising around, listening to the radio, and discovering new places along the way, skipping the drive might be the last thing you want to do.

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GTA 6 is still on its way, but even these early estimates give us an idea of just how massive Leonida could be. The wait is almost over, too, as the game is set to release on November 19, 2026, for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S. You can check our GTA 6 countdown timer to see how many days are left before launch. For more details and the latest updates, follow our GTA 6 Hangar on X or visit the GTA 6 Wiki Hub.

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