Snowbird cell phone

[Pax]

You can buy a disposable cell phone at almost any truck stop in the country. Buy it, activate it, add minutes if needed, done.

[Wasp]

We actually need 2 cellphones (small compact easy to carry around). At times during our trip were going to be separated in different locations and need some sort of way to communicate. The international rates Canadian cell phone providers charge are pretty steep so I started looking for a cheaper alternative. I think the disposable cell phone/pay as u go would be more than adequate for what we need it for. Getting ahold of family ect back home while were gone we use skype.
Thank you for all your great advise.

[OakLeaf]

Just, as Spokewench said, pay close attention to coverage maps before you choose. Some rural areas just have no coverage at all, but many other places are reachable only by one carrier. That seems to be improving as time goes on, certainly in the eastern mountains - it's been a while since I've been west.

[Wasp]

It looks like Verizon is the company we will be going with. We expect to experience no coverage in some areas but that shouldn't be a huge problem.

[Wasp]

Update...turned out I had accumulated points with the cell phone company were currently using and could use those points to add USA cell coverage for the entire time we were away.
I have to say, our trip to Nevada, Arizona, and Utah was one of the best trips we have ever taken. Every person we met from clerks in stores, gas stations, restaurant, hotels, airports, and all the people we encountered along our travels everyone was friendly and helpful. And of course we fell in love with Arizona, wow what an amazing place!.