Each one of you may have noticed that when Rockstar dropped the first GTA VI trailer, there was one question that dominated every GTA forum, Reddit thread, and YouTube comment section: how big is the GTA VI map compared to GTA V?
Well, although the Rockstar hasn’t officially released any numbers yet, that hasn’t stopped the community. Many YouTubers, including me, use the trailer footage, leaked coordinates, skyline comparisons, vehicle scaling, and Rockstar’s own design history, and fans have built a surprisingly accurate picture of what’s coming next.
However, even if what our fellow YouTube mates and I discovered, half of our estimates are close, GTA VI Map Size could redefine open-world gaming. So, let’s check what we find!
GTA V Map Size: The Benchmark Rockstar Has to Beat
Well, see in this article I’ve just compared the size of maps in both the games, but if you want to know complete details, you may like this: GTA VI Map and Locations.
Now, to understand how much bigger GTA VI could be, we first need a clear idea of GTA V’s map size. If you are familiar with GTA V’s playable world, Los Santos and Blaine County, measure roughly:
- North to South: 11 km
- East to West: 12 km
- Total land area: 75–80 square km (including mountains and desert)
From the southern docks to the northern edge of Paleto Bay, you could drive across the entire map in about 4–5 minutes at high speed. However, back in 2013, that map was massive, but in 2025, Rockstar clearly wants more.
Rockstar’s Intent: Why GTA VI Had to Be Bigger?
Although the Rockstar itself hasn’t stated that they are creating the biggest map ever, but during the investor calls and development interviews, they always hinted that GTA VI is built for long-term expansion, not just a single-city sandbox.
GTA 6 is designed as a multi-region open world game and not revolved around one main city like GTA 5.
Unlike GTA V, which revolved around one main city, GTA VI is designed as a multi-region open world. That alone changes everything. Moreover, leaks suggested that Rockstar changed the GTA 6 Weather System (Storms, Hurricanes).
Vice City Alone Is Nearly the Size of Los Santos
If you check out some official screenshots and trailer frames, you will notice that Vice City in GTA VI is far denser and wider than Los Santos in GTA V.
Community mapping projects (especially from Reddit’s r/GTA6 and YouTube analysts like Dark Space and GTAVI O’Clock) show that:
- Vice City’s urban sprawl stretches further inland
- Beach-to-downtown distances are much larger
- The skyline is visible from far greater distances than in GTA V
Multiple independent calculations suggest:
- Vice City width: 5.5–6 km
- Vice City length: 6–6.5 km
That means Vice City alone is nearly double the footprint of Los Santos’ core city area, and guess what? Vice City is only one part of the GTA 6 map.
GTA VI Map Regions Confirmed So Far
From Rockstar’s trailers, leaked development footage, and environmental clues, these regions are either confirmed or strongly implied:
- Vice City (main metropolitan area)
- Grassrivers (Everglades-style swamps)
- Coastal towns and bay areas
- Industrial port regions
- Rural highways and farmland
- Island chains and coastal waters
- A northern elevated region (possibly outside Leonida)
This time, each region isn’t just decorative; it’s fully playable, with roads, NPC activity, wildlife, and missions.
GTA VI Map Size Estimates: What the Numbers Say
After comparing skyline distances, vehicle scaling, coastline curvature, and road networks, the most serious community estimates land around:
- East to West: 13–14 km
- North to South: 20–23 km
That puts the total GTA VI map size between 2x and 2.5x larger than GTA V. In practical terms:
- Crossing GTA V took – 5 minutes
- Crossing GTA VI could take 25–30 minutes by car
That’s not speculation- it’s based on drive-time math using GTA 5 vehicle speeds applied to scaled distances seen in GTA 6 trailers.
Water, Islands, and Vertical Space Matter More Than Ever
One big mistake people make when comparing GTA VI Map Size is ignoring water and elevation. GTA VI isn’t just wider-it’s deeper:
- Large navigable waterways
- Island hopping
- Swamps that slow movement
- Elevated terrain and hills
- Dense interiors and vertical city blocks
Rockstar has clearly leaned into environmental friction, meaning distance feels longer even when numbers are similar. Well, this alone will make GTA VI feel far larger than GTA V ever did.
Why GTA VI Feels Bigger Even If Numbers Were Equal?
Even if GTA VI were “only” twice as large as GTA V on paper, it would still feel bigger because:
- Fewer straight highways
- More natural road curves
- Dense urban traffic
- Wildlife and environmental obstacles
- Longer mission travel paths
Rockstar learned from Red Dead Redemption 2-scale is about pacing, not just size.
Wrap Up
So, the real talk of the town is not like GTA VI Map Size is bigger than GTA V, but how Rockstar has redesigned how space works. GTA 6 isn’t a playground anymore; it’s a living state.
However, if the claims turn out to be real, and if Rockstar continues expanding it post-launch, GTA VI could become the largest evolving open world in gaming history.
So, that’s all we have for you. We hope that this guide has helped you. For more info, comment below and let us know. Moreover, if you want, you can also subscribe to us on YouTube.
