If all you need is talk and text, T-mobile has a prepaid plan for $3/month, that gives you one of their SIM cards in the size you need, and 30 minutes of airtime or 30 text messages included per month. You just throw some cash on the account, and they debit it US$3/month, or whatever amount your usage is over the 30 minutes/30 SMS per month. The nice part about this prepaid plan is, Canadians can "park" a US number for US$3/month, and use it the next time you're south of the 49th.
If data is your pleasure too, then T-Mobile also has some pretty good unlimited talk/text/data plans too. Not sure on pricing, as we don't do data, but they're better than our Canadian "unlimited" plans.
The down side of T-Mobile is their coverage isn't as broad as Verizon or AT&T. They were talking about merging with Sprint, but I don't know where that stands, as it might increase their coverage areas.
We have one T-Mobile number and one AT&T, to cover the coverage bases. The AT&T is a prepaid, US$100 annually, good for 365 days of whatever.
Think "dual SIM" card phones, and see if you can get one (two?) before you go. You can find them on Amazon, but be careful and read the fine print to make sure you're getting the dual SIM version. A little homework helps.
It makes life crossing the border so much easier. I have an LG H990DS that has it, and my co-pilot has an Asus Zenphone Laser, same deal. 2 SIM card slots, no hassles.
Mike. Comments are anecdotal or personal opinions, and worth what you paid for them.
2018 (2017 Sprinter Cab Chassis) Navion24V + 2016 Wrangler JKU (sold @ ????)
2016 Sunstar 26HE, V10, 3V, 6 Speed (sold @ 4600 miles)
2002 Roadtrek C190P (sold @ 315,000kms)
