Where Is the Impound in GTA 5? Your Guide to Getting Your Wheels Back

Grand Theft Auto V is famous for its huge sandbox world and the countless ways you can get into trouble. One common problem is losing a vehicle to a police impound. When I first started exploring Los Santos, I had no idea where the impound was or how to get my favorite car back without spending a fortune. 

In this guide I’ll explain where the impound in GTA 5 is located, how to retrieve your vehicle in both Story Mode and GTA Online, how to unlock and buy the impound property, and a few tricks I’ve learned to keep your cars safe. Whether you’re a newcomer or a seasoned player, knowing this information can save you time and money.

Where Is the Impound in GTA 5?

The impound in GTA 5, officially known as the LSPD Auto Impound, is found in the Davis neighborhood of South Los Santos. If you check your map, look for the intersection of Innocence Boulevard and Roy Lowenstein Boulevard. The lot sits next to the Davis police station and the sheriff’s office, just east of the local barbershop. 

In Story Mode, this is where Franklin goes during Tonya’s towing missions, and it’s the same place your impounded personal vehicle will be held in GTA Online. You’ll see a white car icon on the map whenever your car has been taken there. Once you know the spot, navigating back to it becomes second nature.

The location is intentionally tucked away. It’s southeast of the Vanilla Unicorn strip club and down the street from the Hands-On Car Wash. When I first tried to find it, I drove past the area several times because the yard looks like a typical industrial lot. Keep an eye out for a fenced yard with big iron gates and bars. You can also set a GPS route from the interaction menu in GTA Online by selecting Personal Vehicle under GPS Route, which takes you straight there.

Getting Your Vehicle Back From the Impound

Once you reach the impound, you have a few options to reclaim your ride. The simplest method is to walk up to the gate and press the prompt to pay the fee. In GTA Online, the police charge $250 to release your vehicle. This small sum is usually worth it, especially if you’ve invested in customizations. In Story Mode, retrieving a car may not require a fee, but you still need to approach the gate. Once the fee is paid, your car appears on the other side of the gate ready for pickup.

If you’re feeling thrifty or rebellious, there’s a way to avoid the fee. You can climb over the fence or hop on a large vehicle parked nearby to vault into the lot and steal your car back. Be warned: leaving without paying will trigger a two-star wanted level. I’ve done this when my funds were low, and while it’s satisfying to save money, you’ll need to evade the police once you drive out. For players who register as CEOs and own an office, you can call your assistant to have your personal vehicle delivered for $1,000, though this method is more expensive than paying the basic impound fee.

Sometimes your car doesn’t appear even though the game notifies you that it was impounded. This can happen if you wait too long to retrieve it. Vehicles left in the impound for extended periods may be destroyed. In that case you must call Mors Mutual Insurance from your in‑game phone. Mors will deliver a replacement to a nearby location, but you’ll pay an insurance fee. It’s best to check the impound sooner rather than later to avoid losing rare or expensive vehicles.

Beyond these retrieval methods, I recommend setting aside a small cash reserve just for impound fees. The fee is minimal compared with the time and effort required to rebuild a customized car. Also make sure you only have one personal vehicle active; requesting another vehicle while one is in impound causes the police to destroy the impounded car. If you want more open-world crime without the stress of recovering your ride, consider exploring other titles in the genre. Our list of games like GTA highlights open‑world adventures that capture the same thrill of chaos without as many impound headaches.

Buying the LSPD Auto Impound in Story Mode

In Story Mode, the impound is a property that Franklin can purchase after completing Tonya’s towing missions. After finishing the side mission “Pulling One Last Favor”, you’ll receive a call informing you that the LSPD Auto Impound is for sale. It costs $150,000, and only Franklin is eligible to buy it. Once purchased, the impound generates income by paying $500 for each vehicle you tow for the towing missions. Buying the property also provides you with a Tow Truck as a working vehicle.

Owning the impound changes how you interact with impounded cars. You can still retrieve impounded vehicles the normal way, but as the owner you’ll never pay fees for vehicles that you tow in. It’s a passive income opportunity that fits nicely into the broader world of GTA 5. My first time buying the impound felt like a milestone. After hustling to get that cash together, seeing the lot’s signage switch from police control to my own was satisfying. If you enjoy exploring the history of the series, our guide on GTA games in order provides context for how property ownership evolved across the franchise.

Tips to Avoid Getting Your Car Impounded

Learning where the impound in GTA 5 is located is only half the battle. Keeping your car from ending up there can save you money and frustration. Here are a few practical tips I’ve learned over hundreds of hours in Los Santos:

• Park in safe spots: Avoid leaving your vehicle in the middle of the road or in restricted areas. Park in your owned garages or at mission points where the game saves your car automatically. Garages protect your vehicle from despawning or being towed when you switch characters or log off.
• Don’t abandon your car for too long: Vehicles left unattended for extended periods are more likely to be impounded or despawned. If you need to step away, either store your car or return to it before doing other activities. I once lost a fully customized sports car because I left it parked near the Los Santos Customs shop and went off to do a long heist.
• Use insurance: Always insure your vehicles through Los Santos Customs or by owning a personal garage. If your car is destroyed, you can call Mors Mutual to replace it for a fee. It’s not a direct substitute for the impound, but insurance is your last line of defense.
• Call your assistant when appropriate: If you’re a CEO in GTA Online and have plenty of money, paying your assistant to retrieve your vehicle can be more convenient than driving to the impound. It’s expensive at $1,000, so I only use this when I’m far from Davis or under attack by other players.
• Avoid police attention: Most impounds happen after getting arrested or dying during a police chase. If you want to keep your ride safe, consider switching to a less recognizable vehicle when causing trouble. You can also use faster cars to outrun the cops or store your primary car before starting a rampage.

These habits reduce the chances of losing your vehicle and help you keep the $250 fee in your pocket. They also let you focus on enjoying the game, whether you’re doing heists, racing friends, or exploring Los Santos. For more open‑world inspiration beyond GTA, our rundown of the best open world games showcases experiences that let you roam freely without worrying about impound fees.

Why the Impound Matters in GTA Online

The impound system isn’t just a random mechanic; it plays a role in balancing GTA Online’s economy and player interactions. When you’re arrested or die during a police encounter, the game impounds your personal vehicle rather than destroying it outright. This prevents griefers from permanently blowing up your ride every time they see you. The small fee and retrieval process are designed to encourage players to think about risk and reward while adding tension to police chases.

In public sessions, retrieving an impounded vehicle can be hazardous because other players might camp near the impound to ambush you. I’ve learned to approach the lot carefully, sometimes calling a motorcycle first so I can quickly escape once I have my car. The impound also limits how many personal vehicles you can call at once; if you ignore the impounded car and request another, the previous one is destroyed. This keeps players from spamming vehicles and helps Rockstar control server performance.

Understanding the impound also feeds into broader GTA Online strategies. If you’re grinding missions for cash, it’s good practice to use a cheaper vehicle or one you don’t mind losing. Save your fully upgraded supercar for races and heist setups.

Wrapping Up: Mastering the Impound

Knowing where the impound in GTA 5 is located and understanding how it works can improve your gaming experience. Whether you choose to pay the fee, jump the fence, call your assistant, or purchase the impound as Franklin, you now have the tools to keep your favorite cars accessible. Planning ahead, insuring your vehicles, and parking wisely will minimize visits to the impound and let you focus on the fun parts of GTA.

If you’re ready to dive back into Los Santos or start your adventure for the first time, consider picking up Grand Theft Auto V from our marketplace. With these tips in mind, your next getaway from the impound will be smoother than ever.

FAQs

Where is the impound in GTA 5 story mode?

The impound in GTA 5 story mode is located at the LSPD Auto Impound on Innocence Boulevard and Roy Lowenstein Boulevard in Davis. It sits beside the local police station, and Franklin visits this site during Tonya’s towing missions.

Where is the impound lot in GTA Online?

The impound lot in GTA Online is in the same place as in story mode, at the LSPD Auto Impound in South Los Santos. You can find it by following the white car icon on your map or setting a GPS route to your personal vehicle through the interaction menu.

How do I get my car back from the impound in GTA 5?

To get your car back from the impound in GTA 5, walk up to the gate of the LSPD Auto Impound and pay the retrieval fee when prompted. After paying, the gate opens and your impounded vehicle appears inside; then you can drive it away.

How much does it cost to get a car out of the impound in GTA Online?

It costs $250 to get a car out of the impound in GTA Online, payable at the gate of the LSPD Auto Impound. If you prefer, you can avoid the fee by climbing the fence to steal your car back, but doing so will trigger a two‑star wanted level.

Why isn’t my car showing up at the impound in GTA 5?

The reason why your car isn’t showing up at the impound in GTA 5 is often because too much time has passed, causing the vehicle to be destroyed. Restarting your session can fix minor bugs; otherwise you’ll need to call Mors Mutual Insurance to replace the destroyed car.