Best Data Plan for USA for maps

[DontGetMeStarted]

Hi, I need a GPS to use in the USA in a few weeks, I keep getting differing opinions on what to do, take Iphone 5 or 6 and buy a data sim on arrival, and use google maps or sign up to a company before we go and which service to use ? or buy a GPS once we are there. If anyone has any suggestions I would be grateful as to download USA maps here is pretty expensive and to hire is quite a high daily rate. We are driving from LAX up the Pacific Coast Highway towards San Jose and maybe San Francisco over to Maui and then back to San Jose and down the coast to La Jolla and Carlsblad return to LAX. On previous trips I just used a SIM card from Telestial (suggestion from an AFF'er) but just used for calls, this time using a GPS facility think I will need lots of data. Thanks in advance

 

[sausagefingers]

I would honestly go and buy a sub $100 GPS and use that.\
I have one we bought a few years ago, and we're using it again in March.
maybe see if anyone on here can lend you one?

 

[casanovawa]

I have an android phone and downloaded the app called Navigator and then i just choose maps of different states/countries and download for free before i go and then it works offline, you just need to have your location/gps thing turned on on your phone and it will show you where you are on the map and can tell it to navigate for you as well...

No data plans, no gps devices having to be bought etc...

I have also found Google maps works as well, just open it up while you have access to wifi and then even when offline the map will remain in your phone (you might not be able to zoom in too much once you have left the wifi area) and if the GPS location function is turned on in your phone it will show you where you are on the map even offline... And navigate for you as well telling you when to turn off and all etc...

 

[blackcat20]

navmii is also a free app where you can download free maps, no data required once you are on the road.

 

[ausfox]

I have used "GPS Copilot app successfully US and Europe. Cost less than buying a gps and will run on iPhone or iPads. Wifi download the complete US and then no further data connection needed. Of course you have your GPS function turned on. Have a good drive.

 

[mmchow]

Google Map Offline? I tried this on my recent trip to the States - Maui, San Francisco, San Antonio etc mainly for driving direction and worked well. It gives you your current location. One downside is that you can't search for the specific store/ shop location but will work just fine with address. I bought a data sim card as a backup too.

 

[russ]

Offline maps are a great idea. I use Navigon and find it excellent. There are probably better and cheaper ones out there now, but I got used to Navigon's terminology, e.g. the difference between "turn left", "bear left", knowing the timing of when it is going to tell me to turn, etc. This is important when going through cloverleaf intersections at pace.

However, I also have a sim card and find it extremely useful for Yelp, Trip Advisor and other services to find out things that a map doesn't have, e.g. finding decent restaurants, attractions, etc. Some attractions have their own Apps, so I can download those and use them immediately.

I use an AT&T sim card which is $60/month, no contract and has plenty of data (1Gb or something?) I travel to the USA 3 times per year. I have the offline maps so don't really need a SIM card, but for $60, I get access to live traffic, the web (without connecting to dodgy hotspots) and have the ability to phone places if required.

Given that you will be in California, you could probably get away with a SIM card and use normal Google Maps. They have mapped CA very well.

The main issue is to make sure you take over or buy a car power adapter because your phone will run out of power in the car before it runs out of data!

 

[coriander]

However, I also have a sim card and find it extremely useful for Yelp, Trip Advisor and other services to find out things that a map doesn't have, e.g. finding decent restaurants, attractions, etc. Some attractions have their own Apps, so I can download those and use them immediately.

I use an AT&T sim card which is $60/month, no contract and has plenty of data (1Gb or something?)

Given that you will be in California, you could probably get away with a SIM card and use normal Google Maps. They have mapped CA very well.

The main issue is to make sure you take over or buy a car power adapter because your phone will run out of power in the car before it runs out of data!

In furious agreement with everything russ has said. I've found the "free" wifi in hotels often to be useless between 6.00pm and 10.00pm due to congestion and LTE/4G is usually much faster.

I've used a SIM from simcorner.com for my last few trips. Their $79 plan (unlimited calls, texts and 6GB of LTE/4G data on t-mobile) used to be ~$45 but with the $AU/$US exchange rate, it's become more expensive. Google Maps is brilliant, she even told me that there was an accident ahead in I-80 and to take I-685 to get back to SFO.

I'd suggest taking a powerbank for your phone to keep it alive (as well as ci-lighter adapter). As russ has said, your phone will die long before the data runs out. The car before last car I rented had a faulty cig-lighter socket so, but for my son's powerbank we would have been out of battery after about 2 hours. The signage on US freeways and highways is an order of magnitude better than VicRoads seems to be able to produce, so you'll generally only need GPS for the last few streets to your destination if you're trying to conserve battery power on your phone.

You can see if your phone will receive LTE in the US by checking out my table at https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/83820413/mobile_phone_bands.jpg.

HTH.

 

[yld200]

On my last trip to the states I purchased a T-Mobile sim from travelsimsdirect . They often have deals posted on OzBargain.com.au which brings it down to around $40 for 30 days with plenty of data included. Some people claim that their coverage isn't as good as AT&T but I never had any issues with maps dropping out while driving from Vegas to the Grand Canyon, the rest of my trip was in metro areas and reception was great. Plans also come with free local calls which is good if you need to book hotels, dinner etc. and free calls to landlines back in Aus.

T-Mobile Prepaid SIM Card – Experience The Fastest 4G Data For USA Prepaid SIM Cards -

If you're going to be going there regularly it might be more cost effective to buy a sat nav with local maps loaded.

 

[sausagefingers]

I noticed Target US sell AT&T Sim cards, unlimted calls and text (to US numbers) and 4GB of data for $60 or 1GB of data for $40 for 30 days.
I've used AT&T a few times and always have brilliant coverage so I will continue to use them. Even better if you can find an actual AT&T store and have them set it all up for you.

 

[awkwardpaws]

I have a T-Mobile SIM card that I bought when I was in the US last year and use it when I go back. The prepaid plan isn\t that expensive, plus you have the ability to be connected (if that is something you prefer is great, I truly enjoyed being able to whatsapp / research food places etc without having to find wifi)

In terms of navigation, I have an Android phone and I bought the TomTom app (which I understand is so much cheaper on Android). It costs me A$19 (or A$29?) a year and I get download any TomTom map around the world as I need before using it. Combined with the 4G that I get with T-mobile, you get the benefit of traffic/cameras etc. It doesnt actually use too much data since the maps are already loaded and its only using Navigation of the GPS on your phone.

I understand that TomTom on iPhone costs way more (and you pay per maps, as opposed to a subscription for everything on Android), so it might not be ideal if you are an iPhone user.

I would happy lend you the T-mobile SIM if you like (PM me if you want) - that way you dont have to spend time on your trip to buy a prepaid etc etc.

 

[VPS]

Used Travelsim and that was great because it was active as soon as you arrived and useful if you need to call the hotel for your shuttle - also bought Sygic - you can download the maps you need before you go - Sygic often has some good discounts and I got whole world maps

 

[jamang1999]

Google Maps' offline feature works really well, although the maps can take up up to 500mb. Even has directions.