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GTA 5 story missions list, gold medal checklist

A checklist for all of GTA 5's main missions.

Curious to all of GTA 5 story missions? Our main mission list and gold medal checklist can let you know what's involved.

GTA 5 story missions are the backbone of the game - helping you encounter new characters and explore the many weird and wonderful locations which make up Los Santos.

For completionists who want to fully complete GTA 5, you need to collect every gold medal for each main mission.

Not only that, but you'll also want to track down additional gold medals for a number of the Stranger and Freaks missions to achieve this goal.

To help you in this journey, you'll find our GTA 5 story missions list and gold medal checklist.

On this page:

Cover image for YouTube videoPlaying GTA 5 In R.E.A.L. VR Is Unbelievably Cool! - Ian's VR Corner
Playing GTA 5 In R.E.A.L. VR Is Unbelievably Cool! - Ian's VR Corner

How GTA 5 story missions and gold medals work

Like other games in the series, GTA 5 has a long list of main story missions. Each of the main characters has their own missions to complete, and those missions are marked on the map with an initial and color indicator: Michael (M and blue), Franklin (F and green), and Trevor (T and orange).

Priority heist missions will show for all characters involved regardless of who you are playing at the time.

For each mission you complete, you will earn a medal for your efforts. Just completing a mission gets you a bronze medal by default. You earn silver medals by meeting a percentage of the objectives, but you must complete 100% of the objective checklist to earn a gold medal.

If you fail to earn a gold medal, don't worry - you can always go back and replay it as many times as you need to.

GTA 5 story mission gold medal checklist

Here's how you can get gold medals for main story mission in Grand Theft Auto 5:

MissionCharacterGold Medal Objectives
PrologueMichael, TrevorComplete the Prologue
Franklin and LamarFranklinDeliver the repo car with minimal damage
Use Franklin's special ability for 7 seconds
Win the race again Lamar
Avoid hitting any aliens in the movie studio
RepossessionFranklinComplete within 06:30
Shoot the gasoline trail
Kill 6 enemies with a headshot
Finish with a shooting accuracy of at least 70%
ChopFranklinComplete with minimal damage to Lamar's van
Enter Chop's perspective for 10 seconds
Use Franklin's special ability for 7 seconds
ComplicationsFranklin, MichaelComplete within 05:00
Take no damage during the fight with Simeon
Knock out the gardener with a stealth attack
Father/SonFranklin, MichaelRescue Jimmy within 10 seconds
Deliver Amanda's car with no damage
The Long StretchFranklinFinish with a shooting accuracy of at least 60%
Kill 10 enemies with a headshot
Complete with minimal damage to health and armor
Complete within 10:30
Marriage CounselingFranklin, MichaelComplete with minimal damage to the Bison
Complete within 05:30
Kill 3 enemies whilst in a vehicle
Daddy's Little GirlMichaelReach top speed on the Seashark
Don't fall off the bicycle
Swim to the boat within 01:00
Friend RequestMichaelComplete within 08:30
Clear all pop-ups within 32 seconds
Casing the Jewel StoreMichaelComplete within 08:00
Capture all 3 security features in one picture
BZ Gas GrenadesMichaelShoot open the back doors to release the cargo
Bugstars EquipmentMichaelSteal the Bugstars van without being detected
Heist: The Jewel Store Job - Smart ChoiceMichael, FranklinSteal the jewelry within 50 seconds
Protect Franklin during the LS River chase
Steal the jewelry from all 20 glass cabinets
Heist: The Jewel Store Job - Loud ChoiceMichael, FranklinComplete within 10:30
Steal the jewelry within 50 seconds
Protect Franklin during the LS River chase
Steal the jewelry from all 20 glass cabinets
Mr. PhilipsTrevorKill the fleeing bikers
Kill 12 with a headshot
Complete within 12:00
Cause $5000 in damage to Ortega's trailer
Kill Terry and Clay during the chase
Trevor Philips IndustriesTrevorKill 32 enemies
Complete with minimal damage to health and armor
Destroy 6 vehicles
Complete within 04:30
Nervous RonTrevorKill 5 enemies with a headshot
Complete within 12:30
Win the race against Ron
Fly under any 6 bridges found along the flight path
Kill all bikers whilst lying on the plane wing
Crystal MazeTrevorKill 10 enemies with a headshot
Complete with minimal damage to health and armor
Kill 2 enemies with one shot
Finish with a shooting accuracy of at least 80%
Friends UnitedTrevorKill 5 enemies with a headshot
Destroy the trailers without being detected
Complete with minimal damage to health and armor
Destroy all trailers at once
Fame or ShameMichael, TrevorReach top speed in the Phantom
Star close to Lazlow throughout the chase
Knock out the event coordinator
Don't unhook the trailer
Dead Man WalkingMichaelFinish with a shooting accuracy of at least 70%
Kill 14 enemies with a headshot
Complete with 09:30
Kill 4 enemies using Michael's special ability
Complete with minimal damage to health and armor
Three's CompanyMichael, Franklin, TrevorComplete within 07:30
Finish with a shooting accuracy of at least 60%
Kill 10 enemies with a headshot
By the BookTrevor, MichaelComplete without Mr K's heart stopping
Electrocute Mr K
Pull out Mr K's tooth
Hit Mr K with the wrench
Use waterboarding on Mr K
Hood SafariTrevor, FranklinComplete within 07:00
Finish with a shooting accuracy of at least 70%
Kill 12 enemies with a headshot
Hotel AssassinationFranklinTime taken to complete the mission
Kill the target using a sniper rifle
Money earned from the hit
Scouting the PortTrevorComplete within 20:00
Complete without damaging the containers
Snap all 3 photographs of the boat as instructed
Complete without causing a disturbance at the docks
Did Someone Say Yoga?MichaelComplete within 15:00
Complete the first yoga pose without fault
Complete the second yoga pose without fault
Complete the third yoga pose without fault
CargobobTrevorComplete within 05:30
MinisubTrevorComplete within 05:30
Steal the Submersible without boarding the boat
MasksMichael, Franklin, TrevorPurchase all masks within 20 seconds
Purchase a white hockey mask for each character
Boiler SuitsMichael, Franklin, TrevorPurchase all outfits within 30 seconds
Purchase a different colour for each character
Tow TruckMichael, Franklin, TrevorComplete within 03:00
Deliver the Tow Truck with no damage
Reach top speed in the Tow Truck
Trash TruckMichael, Franklin, TrevorComplete within 05:00
Deliver the Trashmaster with no damage
Reach top speed in the Trashmaster
Heist: The Merryweather Heist - OffshoreMichael, Franklin, TrevorFind the container with 02:00
Complete within 14:30
Eliminate all pursuing Merryweather enemies
Escape the pursuing Merryweather enemies in less than 4 minutes
Heist: The Merryweather Heist - FreighterMichael, Franklin, TrevorFind the container within 01:00
Kill 12 enemies using stealth attacks
Kill 12 enemies with a headshot
Finish with a shooting accuracy of at least 80%
Get to the ship interior without being detected
Blitz PlayMichael, Franklin, TrevorShoot down the helicopter as Trevor
Kill 12 enemies with a headshot
Finish with a shooting accuracy of at least 60%
Switch character 10 times
Mr. RichardsMichaelComplete within 10:00
Kill 3 enemies using stealth attacks
Take no damage during the fight with Rocco
Land the Frogger without damaging it
I Fought the LawMichael, Franklin, TrevorRace between the two trucks
Race between the two buses
Follow Trevor through the tunnel
Complete within 12:00
Use Franklin's special ability during the race
The Multi-Target AssassinationFranklinTime taken to complete mission
Kill all targets as quickly as possible
Money earned from the hit
The Vice AssassinationFranklinTime taken to complete mission
Complete without altering the cops
Moeny earned from the hit
The Bus AssassinationFranklinTime taken to complete mission
Kill the target using the bus
Money earned from the hit
Eye in the SkyFranklin, TrevorDeliver the Z-Type with no damage
Listen to 3 conversations
Find Chad's hiding place on the first attempt
Caida LibreMichael, TrevorReach top speed on the Sanchez
Don't fall off the Sanchez during the chase
Shoot down the plane with 3 shots only
Complete within 09:45
Minor TurbulenceTrevorFinish with a shooting accuracy of at least 80%
Exit the cargo plane in the Mesa
Paleto Score SetupMichael, TrevorDrive to the bank within 03:30
Win the race back to the meth lab
Military HardwareMichael, Franklin, TrevorKill 5 enemies with a headshot
Stop the convoy using a sticky bomb trap
PredatorMichael, Franklin, TrevorFinish with a shooting accuracy of at least 70%
Complete within 09:00
Kill 3 enemies with a headshot
Don't kill any animals
Heist: The Paleto ScoreMichael, Franklin, TrevorFire over 4000 bullets
Finish with a shooting accuracy of at least 50%
Complete within 16:00
Cause $1,000,000 damage in Paleto Bay
DerailedMichael, TrevorComplete within 11:30
Reach top speed on the Sanchez
Land on the train using the first jump
Monkey BusinessMichael, Franklin, TrevorStun 8 enemies with the Stun Gun
Kill 15 enemies with a headshot
Finish with a shooting accuracy of at least 70%
Complete within 13:30
Hang TenMichael, TrevorComplete within 04:00
Surveying the ScoreMichael, Franklin, TrevorFollow the vans without being warned on distance
Find the construction hole within 20 seconds
Fly under the bridge whilst following the security vans
Fly trough the tunnel whilst following the security vans
Complete within 11:00
The Construction AssassinationFranklinTime taken to complete mission
Shoot down the target's helicopter
Money earned from the hit
Deep InsideFranklinDeliver the JB 700 with minimal damage
Reach top speed in the JB 700
Knock out the actor with a stealth attack
Use the ejector seat within 10 seconds
Run over the actor as you escape in the JB 700
Bury the HatchetMichael, TrevorComplete within 11:00
Kill 20 enemies with a headshot
Finish with a shooting accuracy of at least 80%
Pack ManFranklin, TrevorComplete within 12:00
Complete with minimal damage to the JB 700
Take out 3 cop cars using the spikes
Fresh MeatMichael, FranklinDon't switch more than 3 times
Finish with a shooting accuracy of at least 70%
Kill 10 enemies with a headshot
Rescue Michael within 03:30
Don't use a map waypoint
The Ballad of RoccoMichaelComplete within 03:00
Cleaning out the BureauMichaelCheck all license plates
Follow the janitor without being spotted
Complete within 09:00
Reuniting the FamilyMichaelComplete within 10:30
Architect's PlansFranklinLeave the construction site within 45 seconds
Legal TroubleMichaelComplete within 05:30
Reach top speed in any car
Lose the wanted level within 02:00
View the Weazel News camera for 15 seconds
Fire TruckFranklinCall 911 to contact the fire department
Deliver the Fire Truck with no damage
Heist: The Bureau Raid - FiretruckMichael, FranklinComplete within 18:00
Escape with 40% oxygen remaining
Complete the mopping section within 03:00
Abseil down the elevator shaft within 30 seconds
Heist: The Bureau Raid - RooftopMichael, FranklinComplete within 19:00
Land perfectly on the main section of the roof
Hack the system within 45 seconds
Kill 20 enemies with a headshot
Finish with a shooting accuracy of at least 70%
Don't kill any innocent civilians
The Wrap UpMichael, TrevorComplete within 07:00
Kill 18 enemies with a headshot
Shoot down the pursuing helicopter
Lamar DownMichael, Franklin, TrevorKill 18 enemies with a headshot
Finish with a shooting accuracy of at least 70%
Kill an enemy with all 3 characters
Complete within 13:30
MeltdownMichaelComplete within 06:30
Reach top speed in any vehicle
Kill 12 enemies with a headshot
Rescue Amanda and Tracey with a headshot
StingersMichael, Franklin, TrevorSteal the Police Transporters and escape within 02:00
Deliver the Police Transporter with no damage
Gauntlet - Pillbox HillMichael, Franklin, TrevorDeliver the Gauntlet pictured in the email
Deliver the Gauntlet with no damage
Spend $17,000 modifying the Gauntlet
Gauntlet - Mission RowMichael, Franklin, TrevorDeliver the Gauntlet pictured in the email
Deliver the Gauntlet with no damage
Spend $17,000 modifying the Gauntlet
Gauntlet - Rockford HillsMichael, Franklin, TrevorDeliver the Gauntlet pictured in the email
Deliver the Gauntlet with no damage
Spend $17,000 modifying the Gauntlet
Heist: The Big Score - ObviousMichael, Franklin, TrevorComplete within 16:00
Kill 20 enemies with a headshot
Finish with a shooting accuracy of at least 60%
Drop the gold onto the train within 30 seconds
Heist: The Big Score - SubtleMichael, Franklin, TrevorKill 20 enemies with a headshot
Perform less than 10 traffic light changes
Finish with a shooting accuracy of at least 60%
Ending Mission: The Time's ComeFranklinKill Michael
Ending Mission: Something SensibleFranklinKill Trevor
Ending Mission: DeathwishFranklinComplete within 21:30
Kill 20 enemies with a headshot
Finish with a shooting accuracy of at least 70%
Kill Cheng with a Sticky Bomb
Kill Stretch using a melee weapon

GTA 5 story decisions explained

The only impactful story story decision is as part of a set of last mission choices, which also affects the end game experience.

Beyond that, there are heists - including The Jewel Store, The Big Score and The Merryweather Heist.

Though these have multiple approaches, which affect how the heist plays out, they have no impact on the overall game. There are also slight differences in the Gold Medal objectives.

Depending on the approach you choose, you will have to do some extra prep work before starting the heist. When recruiting crew members, it's important to consider the approach you choose as certain crew members work well with specific approaches while being detrimental to others.

Remember, it's okay to choose an inexperienced crew member for some of the jobs. If the heist is successful, they will level up their skills, but their cut will remain the same. This means a crew member who only takes a 4% cut at the start will continue to take that same cut regardless of their skill level.

Good luck collecting all the gold medals in GTA 5!