Traveling to the US west coast and need a data SIM

[n7]

What are my best options?
Going to be going thru Washington/Oregon/California/Idaho/Montana.

I'm coming from Canada, and while we have some options less ridiculous than roaming data, they tend to be pricier than i'd like.

I have an LG Google Nexus 5, unlocked.

I need data for two weeks (do not care about talk/text).
Would like 1-2+ GB data ideally.

Is there a carrier i can get a micro SIM with a data plan without getting a contract or device thru them without hassle?

 

[Crono]

T-Mobile. You can pay per day even, but the $30 for 5GB of 4G plan seems best. You can get that only through their website.

http://prepaid-phones.t-mobile.com/prepaid-plans

AT&T's reception is going to be better, though, if you aren't traveling only through major metro areas.
You'll pay more, though. Here's one plan w/2.5GB from them for $60. They have cheaper options through MVNOs, but I don't have any personal experience with any of AT&T's, unfortunately. The advantage of regular AT&T, though, is they have a ton of stores and retailers, so it's easy to just walk into a store or up to a mall kiosk and get a month of prepaid pretty quickly.

You can also try StraightTalk (owned by Walmart) which is 3GB of high speed data for $45.

 

[ImDonly1]

T-Mobile. You can pay per day even, but the $30 for 5GB of 4G plan seems best. You can get that only through their website.

http://prepaid-phones.t-mobile.com/prepaid-plans

AT&T's reception is going to be better, though, if you aren't traveling only through major metro areas..

This if you can use t-mobile look at their coverage maps.
Also, look at prepaid coverage maps as they are different from postpaid ones.

If you want att coverage then redpocket 1gb for $10
http://goredpocket.com/plans#mobile-internet

I am not sure if either att or t-mobile will give you data coverage in montana on prepaid.
Their websites are sometimes confusing because they say they have coverage but don't say if it is voice or data.
Also zoom in to see if the coverage is 2g, 3g or lte. It doesn't show it until you zoom in closer.

 

[n7]

T-Mobile. You can pay per day even, but the $30 for 5GB of 4G plan seems best. You can get that only through their website.

http://prepaid-phones.t-mobile.com/prepaid-plans

AT&T's reception is going to be better, though, if you aren't traveling only through major metro areas.
You'll pay more, though. Here's one plan w/2.5GB from them for $60. They have cheaper options through MVNOs, but I don't have any personal experience with any of AT&T's, unfortunately. The advantage of regular AT&T, though, is they have a ton of stores and retailers, so it's easy to just walk into a store or up to a mall kiosk and get a month of prepaid pretty quickly.

You can also try StraightTalk (owned by Walmart) which is 3GB of high speed data for $45.

Thanx for the suggestions.

I can do plans here that [supposedly] get me 2-5GB data US roaming data for $50 Canadian, so anything over $40 USD isn't really going to be worth the trouble i don't think vs. just having a SIM i can pop in once we get near Seattle.

T-Mobile sounds pretty good and they seem to have lots of locations in Seattle.
The Monthly Passes (30-day with Auto Renew) sounds good @ $20 for 3GB, but i bet i have to pay for the SIM based on the fine print:
Pay-In-Advance Mobile Internet Plans: $10 SIM starter kit may be required

And then have to cancel the plan later i imagine.

Maybe the On Demand Passes, $30 for 3GB would be easier?

So hard to tell what the details are, as even the fine print doesn't really explain everything.

 

[n7]

This if you can use t-mobile look at their coverage maps.
Also, look at prepaid coverage maps as they are different from postpaid ones.

If you want att coverage then redpocket 1gb for $10
http://goredpocket.com/plans#mobile-internet

I am not sure if either att or t-mobile will give you data coverage in montana on prepaid.
Their websites are sometimes confusing because they say they have coverage but don't say if it is voice or data.
Also zoom in to see if the coverage is 2g, 3g or lte. It doesn't show it until you zoom in closer.

Don't think i can do Red Pocket as i am leaving in the next couple weeks [not enough time to order stuff from the US] and it does not appear they have much for retail stores, nevermind ones on the West Coast?

As for Montana data coverage i expect it might be spotty, but am not so worried about that area for data.

 

[Crono]

T-Mobile often gives their SIM cards away for free online (if it can get to you in time).
http://www.t-mobile.com/internet-devices/t-mobile-data-sim-starter-kit.html

"Now FREE! w/Promo Code FREESIM"


Otherwise you can pay for one when you arrive.

 

[s44]

Get a Straight Talk AT&T SIM at Wal-Mart. With your rural itinerary, forget T-Mo.