How Long to Beat Fallout: New Vegas – A Complete Guide

How Long to Beat Fallout: New Vegas – Fallout: New Vegas remains a favorite in the RPG genre thanks to its immersive open world, complex storytelling, and the freedom it gives players to shape their experience. But if you’re just getting into the game or planning a replay, one question often comes up: how long does it take to beat Fallout: New Vegas?

The answer varies depending on your playstyle, goals, and dedication to exploring the Mojave Wasteland. This guide breaks down the approximate time it takes to complete Fallout: New Vegas based on different playstyles, from a quick run through the main story to a completionist quest for every hidden treasure.

Main Story – A Straightforward Playthrough

For players who want to experience the main storyline without getting too sidetracked, a focused playthrough will generally take around 20 to 25 hours. This path involves following the core quests, meeting key factions, and ultimately deciding the fate of New Vegas and its inhabitants.

While Fallout: New Vegas is known for its variety of side quests and exploration opportunities, sticking to the primary objectives can still provide an engaging story. You’ll encounter major factions like the NCR (New California Republic), Caesar’s Legion, and Mr. House, each with their own stakes in the outcome of the Mojave. To streamline your playthrough:

Choose a Faction Early: Align with a faction as early as possible to avoid conflicting quests and streamline your progress.
Minimize Side Quests: Focus on the main questline to prevent the game from expanding into a longer experience than intended.
Plan for Key Decisions: Major choices will impact the ending, so make clear decisions on how you want your character’s journey to play out.
Estimated Time to Complete the Main Story: 20-25 hours

Main Story + Side Quests – Balanced Exploration

For players who enjoy a mix of main story and side quests, this approach balances the game’s narrative with its unique, character-driven side content. Many side quests in Fallout: New Vegas delve deeper into the lives of Mojave’s inhabitants and the conflicts surrounding the region.

Taking on side quests adds context to the main story and introduces players to some of the most memorable characters and moments in the game. It also helps with leveling up, giving you an edge in the more challenging parts of the main story.

Recommended Side Quests to Try:

Come Fly With Me: Help a group of ghouls find their way to a mysterious launch site, uncovering secrets along the way.
The Legend of the Star: Collect Sunset Sarsaparilla star bottle caps for a hidden treasure.
Beyond the Beef: Unravel a sinister plot at the Ultra-Luxe casino, which involves some morally challenging decisions.
This balanced approach typically requires around 35 to 45 hours to complete, depending on how many side quests you undertake.
Estimated Time for Main Story + Side Quests: 35-45 hours

Completionist Run – Exploring Every Corner of the Wasteland

For completionists who want to experience everything Fallout: New Vegas has to offer, expect a much longer journey. This approach includes the main story, side quests, hidden locations, collectible items, and all DLC expansions. The Mojave Wasteland is filled with nooks and crannies, including remote locations, unique items, and detailed lore that can take hours to uncover.

If you’re aiming for a 100% completion run, here are some key activities to consider:

Complete Every Side Quest and Faction Quest: From major factions to minor NPCs, there are dozens of quests to find and complete.
Discover All Locations: There are more than 200 marked and unmarked locations across the Mojave.
Collectibles: Unique weapons, rare items, skill magazines, and snow globes are scattered throughout the wasteland.
Experiment with Multiple Endings: Trying different paths with the NCR, Caesar’s Legion, Mr. House, and an independent Vegas.
A thorough completionist run can take upwards of 100 hours or more. This estimate may vary based on your familiarity with the game and willingness to engage in every side quest, discover hidden secrets, and fully explore the game’s multiple endings.
Estimated Time for 100% Completion: 100+ hours

Downloadable Content (DLC) – Adding Extra Hours to Your Journey

In addition to the base game, Fallout: New Vegas includes four main DLC expansions, each adding a unique storyline, new locations, and additional hours of gameplay.

1. Dead Money

Dead Money takes players to the Sierra Madre Casino, where they’re forced to work with three other survivors to survive and attempt a heist. This DLC introduces a claustrophobic atmosphere and a survival-horror style.
Estimated Time to Complete: 5-8 hours

2. Honest Hearts

Set in Utah’s Zion National Park, Honest Hearts lets players explore a scenic but dangerous landscape while navigating tribal conflicts. This expansion emphasizes exploration and features stunning environments.
Estimated Time to Complete: 4-6 hours

3. Old World Blues

A fan-favorite, Old World Blues transports players to the Big MT, a research facility filled with bizarre technology, quirky characters, and humorous writing. This DLC has a unique tone, balancing humor with exploration.
Estimated Time to Complete: 6-8 hours

4. Lonesome Road

Lonesome Road provides a more serious and lore-heavy narrative, as players meet Ulysses, a courier with a personal connection to your character. This story-driven expansion delves into the character’s past and the fate of the Divide.
Estimated Time to Complete: 5-7 hours

Together, the DLCs can add roughly 20-30 additional hours to your gameplay, depending on your level of exploration and engagement with each storyline.

Total Time for Main Story + DLCs: 40-70 hours

Speedrunning Fallout: New Vegas

For speedrunners, the goal is to complete Fallout: New Vegas as quickly as possible, often bypassing dialogue, main quests, and traditional gameplay. Speedrunning is a popular challenge for experienced players, and the current record for completing Fallout: New Vegas is under 30 minutes using specific exploits and shortcuts.

Speedrunning isn’t for everyone, but it showcases the game’s flexibility and how players can use clever techniques to minimize playtime. For those interested in a quick completion using conventional methods (without glitches), the game might take around 8-10 hours to complete by skipping all side content and focusing solely on the main objectives.

Tips for Managing Your Playthrough Time

Whether you’re aiming for a short playthrough or a 100% run, here are some tips to make the most of your time:

Save Regularly: Fallout: New Vegas is known for its quirky bugs, so frequent saving can prevent lost progress.
Plan Your Route: Map out key quests or locations to avoid backtracking.
Balance Combat and Exploration: Engaging in combat can be time-consuming, so avoid unnecessary fights if you’re focusing on the story.
Use Fast Travel: After discovering locations, take advantage of fast travel to save time on long journeys across the wasteland.

Final Verdict – How Long Does It Take to Beat Fallout: New Vegas?

The time to beat Fallout: New Vegas varies significantly depending on your playstyle. Here’s a summary:

Main Story Only: 20-25 hours
Main Story + Side Quests: 35-45 hours
Completionist Run: 100+ hours
Main Story + DLCs: 40-70 hours
Speedrunning: Under 30 minutes (with exploits)

Whether you’re a newcomer or a returning fan, Fallout: New Vegas offers a wide range of experiences that can fit into a weekend binge or an extended adventure spanning weeks. With its richly detailed world, memorable characters, and deep customization options, New Vegas promises a unique journey through the Mojave Wasteland, no matter how long you choose to stay.