Updated · 4 min read
In the US you need mobile data almost everywhere: ride-hailing apps at the airport, navigation on road trips, restaurant bookings and tickets. Many non-US plans charge extra for roaming in the United States.
Why travellers use an eSIM in the US
- Online right after landing, which matters for Uber or Lyft at the airport.
- Large networks with good coverage in cities and along major highways.
- No need to find a US prepaid card in a store.
Which plan size?
For a one-week city trip, around 5 GB is often enough. For a road trip with a lot of navigation or a hotspot for passengers, 10–20 GB is more comfortable.
National parks such as the Grand Canyon or Yosemite often have no signal away from visitor centres. Download maps offline before you go.