USA eSIM plans

Compare USA eSIM data plans and learn what visitors need to know: coverage in national parks, prepaid SIM prices, and keeping your number for SMS codes.

Coverage in US cities is excellent, but it can disappear on road trips and in national parks. Here's what to know before you choose a plan.

Coverage: cities vs national parks

The three national networks are T-Mobile, Verizon and AT&T. Big cities have strong 4G and 5G on all three, but remote highways, deserts, mountains and parts of Yellowstone, Zion and the Grand Canyon can have weak or no signal.

Download offline maps before a road trip, and check which network your plan uses if you're heading somewhere remote.

eSIM or a US prepaid SIM?

US prepaid plans usually cost about US$30–70 a month and are sold at airports, carrier stores and shops such as Walmart, Target and Best Buy. You don't need a Social Security number, but ID and activation rules vary by provider. A prepaid plan gives you a US phone number, which helps on longer stays.

For a shorter trip, a travel eSIM is usually cheaper and you can install it before you fly.

Keep your home number for SMS codes

Most travel eSIMs are data-only. On a dual-SIM phone, keep your home SIM switched on for bank and two-factor SMS codes, and turn off data roaming on it so you aren't charged.