How to get $25,000 for Early-story cash goal

Early story · Stand-in for the first story point that needs cash. placeholder

Cash requirement: reported, not confirmed. Rockstar has said story missions alone won't pay enough to keep the story moving, but hasn't published a mission list or amounts. We'll update this page once players confirm it.

These plans assume you start with $0 (our guess for early story) and play up to 2 hours per session. Use your own numbers with the “Plan it with my cash and time” button below.

Safest way

About 2 sessions of up to 2 hours

Session 1: ~$24,000 in 55 min. Then repeat until you reach $25,000.

5× Street races

~$15,000 · 25 min · No wanted level unless you hit police on the way.

Payout is placeholder data

2× Dive for treasure and shipwrecks

~$9,000 · 30 min · Reported in previews: dive in the Keys for treasure and shipwreck loot. No police, but sharks patrol the reefs.

Payout is placeholder data

Fastest way (any risk)

~$30,500 in 31 min · done in one session ✓

2× Rob a cash van

~$18,000 · 16 min · Reported: cash vans show up around the map. Guards shoot back and police respond fast.

Payout is placeholder data

1× Raid a gang compound

~$12,500 · 15 min · Reported: the map shows how much cash and drugs a compound holds. Loot goes in duffel bags with a limit, so a van carries more than a bike. Drugs only pay once a drug fence buys them.

Payout is placeholder data

Plan it with my cash and time

How sure are we?

Every payout carries a label so you know how much to trust it:

Verified: we played it and recorded the payout ourselves.
Reported: players or other sources reported it, but we haven't confirmed it yet.
Placeholder: an estimate until GTA VI is out and someone tests it.

Rockstar has said story missions alone won't pay enough to keep the story moving. There are no paid shortcuts in story mode, so you'll need to earn it. Which missions need a set amount of cash, and how much, is reported, not confirmed.