GTA Online has remained a fan favorite for nearly a decade, and over the years, veteran players have developed their own ways of navigating the sprawling city of Los Santos. One interesting observation is that experienced players often choose to ignore the in-game GPS directions, despite having this navigation tool at their disposal. For players who want to skip the grind, they can buy GTA 5 money to quickly upgrade their vehicles, properties, and weapons.

Why Experienced Players Often Ignore the GPS
The GPS in GTA Online suggests a route to reach objectives or destinations, but it doesn’t always offer the quickest or most efficient path. Factors like traffic conditions, road types, intersections, and unmarked shortcuts can all impact travel time.

Veteran players often prefer taking familiar freeways or roads they know well, as these routes tend to be faster, even if they don’t align with the GPS’s recommended directions. Over time, extensive knowledge of the map and driving experience lead players to trust their instincts more than the GPS system.

GPS vs. Personal Routes: A Test of Efficiency
When tested, personal routes often beat the GPS path by a significant margin—sometimes by 25 seconds or more. However, there are cases where the GPS proves superior or results in a close tie, demonstrating that the fastest route depends on the starting point, destination, and vehicle used.

The ability to decide when to follow the GPS and when to take an alternate route can make a real difference, especially with fast cars where every second matters.

What This Means for Players
For new players, the GPS is an essential tool to help avoid getting lost and find objectives. However, for seasoned players, it often serves as a mere guideline or backup. Custom routes, shortcuts, and a deep understanding of the map allow veterans to optimize their travel time and gameplay efficiency.

This freedom to choose routes adds to the immersive open-world experience of GTA Online, rewarding players who invest time in exploring and learning the city.

After years of playing, many GTA Online players find themselves relying less on the GPS and more on their own knowledge of the map. As experience and driving intuition grow, players become more adept at navigating Los Santos without the need for constant GPS guidance. Whether to follow the GPS or take a personal route ultimately comes down to a player’s experience, driving skill, and the specific situation at hand.