Traveling is fun.

But traveling with bad service?
That’s a personal attack.

Whether you’re road-tripping across the country, visiting family in another state, or bouncing between cities for work, your phone plan matters way more than you think.

Because when you’re traveling, your phone is basically your GPS, camera, boarding pass, hotel key, Uber button, “where’s the nearest coffee” machine, and emergency lifeline.

So in this guide, we’re breaking down the best phone plans for traveling in the U.S., with 5 real plans for different types of travelers.

Let’s go.

What to Look for in a Travel Phone Plan

Not all phone plans are built for travel. Some are amazing in cities… and then completely collapse the second you drive 20 minutes outside of town.

Here’s what matters most when choosing a phone plan for traveling in the U.S.:

1. Strong Nationwide Coverage

This is the big one. If you’re driving through rural areas, national parks, or smaller towns, coverage can change fast.

2. High-Speed Data (Not Just “Unlimited”)

A lot of plans say “unlimited”… but slow down after a certain amount of data. If you travel a lot, you want high-speed data that stays fast.

3. Hotspot Data

Hotspot is a lifesaver when:

• hotel Wi-Fi is terrible
  
  
• you’re working remotely
  
  
• you’re traveling with kids
  
  
• you need to connect a laptop/tablet

4. Flexibility

If you’re only traveling for a month, you may not want a long contract or a plan that’s annoying to cancel.

5. International Options

Even if you’re mostly traveling in the U.S., you might take the occasional trip to:

• Mexico
  
  
• Canada
  
  
• Europe
  
  
• Southeast Asia
  
  
• literally anywhere else

And international roaming can get expensive fast.

The Top 5 Phone Plans for Traveling in the U.S. (2026)

Below are 5 great phone plans for U.S. travel — each one built for a different kind of traveler.

1. Best Overall Travel Plan: Verizon Unlimited Plus

If you want the “it just works” plan — this is one of the best.

Verizon is known for strong coverage across the U.S., especially in rural areas and smaller towns. That makes it a top pick for road trips, cross-country travel, and anywhere off the beaten path.

Why travelers love it

• Great nationwide coverage
  
  
• Strong rural performance
  
  
• Unlimited talk/text/data
  
  
• Solid hotspot included

Best for

Road trips, long-distance travel, rural travel, and anyone who doesn’t want to think about coverage.

2. Best Budget Plan for Travelers: Mint Mobile Unlimited Plan

Traveling doesn’t have to mean spending $80/month.

Mint Mobile is a great option if you want to save money and you don’t need unlimited data.

It’s especially good if:

• you mostly travel in cities/suburbs
  
  
• you use Wi-Fi often
  
  
• you don’t hotspot constantly

Why it’s great

• Very affordable
  
  
• Good data amount for most travelers
  
  
• Easy to manage in the app

Best for

Budget travelers, weekend trips, light data users, and anyone who wants to save big.

3. Best Plan for Heavy Data Travelers: T-Mobile Experience More

If you’re the kind of traveler who:

• streams videos
  
  
• uploads reels/TikToks
  
  
• uses GPS constantly
  
  
• works on the road
  
  
• scrolls like it’s your job

…you need a plan that can keep up.

T-Mobile Experience More is a strong option for heavy data users, especially if you travel through cities and metro areas frequently.

Why travelers love it

• Tons of high-speed data
  
  
• Great performance in major cities
  
  
• Strong hotspot options
  
  
• Often includes extra perks

Best for

Heavy data users, content creators, frequent travelers, and people who live on their phones.

4. Best Flexible Plan (No Contracts): Visible+

Visible+ is one of the best options if you want:

• a simple plan
  
  
• strong coverage
  
  
• a lower monthly price
  
  
• and no long-term commitment

It runs on Verizon’s network, which is a huge plus for travel.

Why it’s great

• Uses Verizon’s network
  
  
• One simple monthly price
  
  
• No contracts
  
  
• Great value for travelers

Best for

People who want Verizon coverage without Verizon pricing.

5. Best Plan for Families Traveling Together: AT&T Unlimited Starter SL

If you’re traveling with family, your needs are different.

You’re not just keeping your phone connected — you’re keeping everyone connected. And family plans can save a lot of money compared to separate lines.

AT&T Unlimited Starter is a solid option for group travel and families, especially if you’re traveling across the U.S. together.

Why it’s great

• Good nationwide coverage
  
  
• Discounted price for multiple lines
  
  
• Unlimited data
  
  
• Reliable for road trips

Best for

Families, group travel, parents traveling with kids, and multi-line users.

Traveling Internationally?

International roaming is often expensive.
And buying a SIM card in a foreign airport while sleep-deprived?
Not exactly the vibe.

That’s why Goji launched a Travel eSIM Store — so you can get international data fast, without the hassle.

What is a travel eSIM?

An eSIM is a digital SIM card you install on your phone — no physical SIM swap needed.

You can buy a plan, activate it, and get data in minutes.

Why travelers love eSIMs

• No SIM swapping
  
  
• No store visits
  
  
• No surprise roaming charges
  
  
• Set it up before you leave
  
  
• Works great alongside your U.S. plan

How it works

1. Pick your destination
   
   
2. Choose a data plan
   
   
3. Install the eSIM
   
   
4. Land and connect instantly

So if you’re traveling in the U.S. now — and internationally later — you can keep your main plan… and just use a Goji travel eSIM when you leave the country.

How to Choose the Right Travel Phone Plan (Quick Guide)

If you’re not sure which plan is best for your trip, here’s a quick cheat sheet:

Choose Verizon Unlimited Plus if:

• you want the best nationwide coverage
  
  
• you’re road-tripping through rural areas
  
  
• you don’t want to deal with dead zones

Choose Mint Mobile Unlimited plan if:

• you want to save money
  
  
• you don’t need unlimited data
  
  
• you mostly travel in cities/suburbs

Choose T-Mobile Experience More if:

• you use a LOT of data
  
  
• you stream and upload constantly
  
  
• you travel through major cities often

Choose Visible+ if:

• you want Verizon coverage for less
  
  
• you want a flexible month-to-month plan
  
  
• you don’t want a contract

Choose AT&T Unlimited Starter if:

• you’re traveling as a family
  
  
• you want multi-line savings
  
  
• you want a reliable nationwide plan

FAQ: Best Phone Plans for Traveling in the U.S.

Do I really need unlimited data while traveling?

Not always. If you’re mostly using Wi-Fi at hotels, restaurants, and cafes, you can absolutely travel with a limited-data plan. But if you’re using GPS constantly or streaming, unlimited is worth it.

Can I use my phone as a hotspot while traveling?

Yes — but not all plans include much hotspot data. If hotspot matters to you, look for plans that specifically list: hotspot GB amount, hotspot speed, and whether hotspot slows down after a certain limit

What’s the best plan for rural travel?

Plans on Verizon’s network tend to perform best for rural travel. That’s why Verizon Unlimited Plus and Visible+ are strong picks.

Do U.S. plans work internationally?

Some do, but international roaming can get expensive quickly. If you’re traveling internationally, a travel eSIM is usually the easiest and most affordable option.

Do I need an eSIM-compatible phone?

Yes — most newer iPhones and Androids support eSIM, but not all. If your phone supports eSIM, you can use Goji’s Travel eSIM Store when traveling internationally.