Verizon Coverage Map

Does Verizon have good cell coverage?

by
Stetson Doggett
|
Updated:
June 24, 2023

If you’re in search of a new cell phone plan, you may be considering Verizon.

Verizon offers premium plans with premium features. 

In the 4G LTE era, Verizon was also known for providing robust, nationwide coverage in more places than anyone else. 

But, how does Verizon’s coverage hold up in the 5G era? Is it really “America's most reliable network,” as Verizon claims it is?

In this article, we will explore Verizon’s coverage and compare it to the other major carriers to help you make an informed decision.

Verizon Coverage

Verizon is a mobile network operator, also known as an MNO. 

MNOs, like Verizon, build and operate their own cellular networks.

Verizon builds cell towers, purchases spectrum licenses from the FCC, installs networking equipment,  and develops its own network cores for both 5G and LTE.

Verizon also publishes its own coverage map.

But sometimes Verizon’s map can be…overly optimistic.

It may say you’ll have service in areas you won’t, and it may show Verizon’s new 5G Ultra Wideband network has been rolled out in areas where it isn’t available yet. 

To help give consumers a more accurate picture of what cell coverage is really like, the FCC collected coverage data from the carriers. They also made this coverage data publicly available. So, we built our own custom coverage map for you to use.

In addition to using the FCC's data, we also decided to collect our own.

We created a crowd-sourced map of Verizon's coverage built from over 1.6 million speed tests.

These speed tests were run by real Verizon customers to help report coverage in their area.

See Verizon coverage in your area by using the search bar in the coverage maps below:

Map Key:
Great coverage
Good coverage
Poor coverage
Great coverage = stream 4K videos, video call, use your phone to its fullest potential
Good coverage = stream 480p videos, browse social media, stream music, use the web
Poor coverage = make phone calls, send a text
*The Estimated Coverage Map is created with coverage data from the FCC

Verizon Coverage Quick Stats

  • Total area covered: 55%
  • Total square miles covered: 2,095,163
  • 5G area covered: 12%
  • 5G square miles covered: 459,756

The above statistics come from the FCC, which collected data from all network operators on June 30th, 2022.

The FCC displays what percentage of area each carrier covers in the United States.

Currently, Verizon’s network covers the most area in the U.S., but it still only covers 55% of the land area. This may seem less than you would expect, and it’s because large areas of rural land where no one lives, like the vast wilderness of Alaska (17.5% of the land area of the United States) don’t get covered with cell service. 

We calculate the total square miles covered by Verizon’s network by multiplying the percentage of area Verizon covers by the total area of the United States, which was reported as 3,805,927 by the United States Census Bureau.

What network does Verizon use?

Verizon uses their own nationwide 4G LTE and 5G networks to provide coverage.

Verizon 5G Coverage

Verizon 5G coverage map
Verizon 5G coverage map, as reported by the FCC

According to FCC data, Verizon is behind when it comes to 5G.

Verizon 5G only covers 12% of the U.S., which is less than T-Mobile (26%) and AT&T (31%).

Still, you don’t need to cover a lot of land area to cover a lot of people.

Verizon says its fast 5G Ultra Wideband network covers 200 million people, or around 60% of the U.S. population. And Verizon’s more extensive Nationwide 5G network covers over 230 million people, or just over 69% of the U.S. population.

Verizon is continuing to build out its 5G network, so you can expect its coverage footprint to continue expanding.

If you haven’t tried Verizon’s network in a while, it may be worth taking advantage of Verizon’s 30 day free trial

Verizon LTE Coverage

Verizon LTE coverage map
Verizon LTE coverage map, as reported by the FCC

Verizon’s LTE network is nationwide and covers over 99% of the US population.

Verizon vs. AT&T Coverage

Verizon’s coverage is similar to AT&T’s coverage.

From FCC data, both Verizon and AT&T cover 55% of the United States.

5G coverage is a different story though. AT&T has substantially more 5G coverage than Verizon. AT&T offers 31% 5G coverage compared to 12% 5G coverage from Verizon.

Data speeds are very similar between the two carriers. 

According to Ookla’s report, Verizon’s median download speed was 69.01 Mbps and its median upload speed was 9.33 Mbps.

Meanwhile, AT&T’s median download speed was 65.57 Mbps and its median upload speed was 7.98 Mbps, very similar to Verizon’s performance. 

Both carriers will likely offer similar coverage and data speeds to one another.

You can check more detailed AT&T coverage in your area here

Verizon vs. T-Mobile Coverage

Verizon coverage is a bit better than T-Mobile coverage.

Verizon covers more of the United States than T-Mobile, with 55% total coverage compared to T-Mobile’s 35% total coverage.

However, T-Mobile has over twice as much 5G coverage as Verizon. 26% of area is covered by T-Mobile 5G, compared to just 12% covered by Verizon 5G.

T-Mobile also has substantially faster median download and upload speeds than Verizon. 

According to Ookla, T-Mobile’s median download and upload speeds were 151.37 Mbps and 12.53 Mbps, respectively.

Verizon got just 65.57 Mbps for its median download speed and 7.98 Mbps for its median upload speed. 

Verizon’s speeds will likely improve as it continues to build out its faster 5G Ultra Wideband network.

Both Verizon and T-Mobile will likely perform well in cities with T-Mobile providing slightly faster speeds. When it comes to getting service in rural areas, Verizon’s greater coverage footprint may make it a better option. 

You can check T-Mobile coverage in your area here.

Verizon Coverage by State

This data is from the FCC:

Sate Area Covered (sq km) Total Percent Covered Great Coverage Good Coverage Poor Coverage
Alaska 0 2.0% 0.4% 0.6% 1.0%
Alabama 125,780 83.9% 36.1% 27.4% 20.5%
Arkansas 118,422 83.0% 33.5% 26.9% 22.7%
Arizona 179,349 64.8% 24.0% 22.2% 18.6%
California 251,383 63.0% 28.5% 21.7% 12.8%
Colorado 223,092 62.7% 19.7% 24.0% 19.1%
Connecticut 12,860 87.2% 56.5% 24.0% 6.8%
District of Columbia 179 98.6% 98.2% 0.4% 0.0%
Delaware 5,185 80.4% 0.8% 1.0% 78.7%
Florida 134,354 80.1% 48.6% 21.7% 9.9%
Georgia 131,395 93.6% 43.7% 32.9% 17.0%
Hawaii 12,543 44.2% 19.3% 14.4% 10.6%
Iowa 124,346 92.3% 52.2% 29.0% 11.1%
Idaho 94,699 46.7% 20.7% 17.3% 8.8%
Illinois 144,562 93.5% 52.6% 29.7% 11.2%
Indiana 92,661 98.3% 56.4% 28.8% 13.0%
Kansas 207,559 98.4% 42.5% 34.1% 21.8%
Kentucky 91,826 74.0% 32.3% 22.9% 18.7%
Louisiana 114,912 78.4% 29.4% 27.7% 21.3%
Massachusetts 21,134 72.1% 44.7% 19.9% 7.5%
Maryland 26,410 78.8% 52.8% 17.1% 8.9%
Maine 36,855 51.6% 17.8% 19.4% 14.4%
Michigan 131,066 46.6% 20.7% 13.6% 12.4%
Minnesota 197,215 79.3% 40.8% 25.5% 13.0%
Missouri 176,347 86.2% 37.2% 28.4% 20.7%
Mississippi 117,117 81.3% 25.0% 27.7% 28.6%
Montana 198,358 53.0% 18.1% 20.5% 14.4%
North Carolina 108,559 80.3% 36.2% 27.0% 17.1%
North Dakota 174,474 92.7% 47.2% 31.1% 14.4%
Nebraska 176,021 86.5% 30.0% 27.2% 29.3%
New Hampshire 21,575 80.1% 32.6% 30.3% 17.2%
New Jersey 19,579 84.8% 0.0% 0.0% 84.7%
New Mexico 224,922 71.0% 23.3% 26.0% 21.7%
Nevada 91,951 42.5% 12.6% 17.7% 12.2%
New York 105,653 72.4% 3.4% 1.0% 68.0%
Ohio 103,714 85.5% 54.9% 18.6% 12.0%
Oklahoma 163,279 55.4% 26.1% 17.3% 11.9%
Oregon 103,850 50.9% 18.2% 19.8% 12.9%
Pennsylvania 106,050 83.0% 16.9% 11.5% 54.6%
Rhode Island 2,961 72.1% 48.7% 17.7% 5.8%
South Carolina 69,818 90.9% 39.5% 31.2% 20.2%
South Dakota 184,372 87.0% 31.8% 28.6% 26.6%
Tennessee 99,496 84.7% 38.9% 26.3% 19.5%
Texas 614,198 83.0% 36.7% 28.3% 18.0%
Utah 136,159 49.2% 17.0% 18.8% 13.4%
Virginia 82,698 83.3% 38.0% 28.9% 16.5%
Vermont 21,246 66.8% 23.6% 27.5% 15.7%
Washington 109,806 54.4% 22.4% 18.7% 13.4%
Wisconsin 109,839 65.1% 28.3% 20.9% 16.0%
West Virginia 40,576 41.7% 16.5% 11.6% 13.6%
Wyoming 142,749 59.1% 15.8% 23.1% 20.2%

Verizon Data Speeds by State

Sate Average Download Speed Average Upload Speed Average Ping
Alaska 28.6 Mbps 15.4 Mbps 95.1 ms
Alabama 52.7 Mbps 13.8 Mbps 83.6 ms
Arkansas 42.8 Mbps 13.5 Mbps 78.7 ms
Arizona 55. Mbps 15.2 Mbps 78.8 ms
California 67.5 Mbps 16.7 Mbps 59.4 ms
Colorado 62.9 Mbps 14.9 Mbps 81.3 ms
Connecticut 90.4 Mbps 18.8 Mbps 54.9 ms
District of Columbia 157.8 Mbps 19.2 Mbps 70.4 ms
Delaware 91.9 Mbps 17.8 Mbps 59.9 ms
Florida 79.2 Mbps 16. Mbps 80. ms
Georgia 64.7 Mbps 14. Mbps 91.9 ms
Hawaii 32. Mbps 14.7 Mbps 132.8 ms
Iowa 56. Mbps 15.3 Mbps 64.4 ms
Idaho 43.6 Mbps 13.7 Mbps 117.2 ms
Illinois 79.5 Mbps 19.9 Mbps 56.9 ms
Indiana 78.5 Mbps 17.2 Mbps 63.4 ms
Kansas 49.2 Mbps 15.6 Mbps 79.7 ms
Kentucky 52.6 Mbps 14.6 Mbps 80. ms
Louisiana 52.4 Mbps 14.6 Mbps 70.8 ms
Massachusetts 89.1 Mbps 18.3 Mbps 68.6 ms
Maryland 64.5 Mbps 14.8 Mbps 66.1 ms
Maine 40. Mbps 14.8 Mbps 80. ms
Michigan 68.7 Mbps 16.1 Mbps 67.6 ms
Minnesota 94.5 Mbps 17. Mbps 61.9 ms
Missouri 63.3 Mbps 15.9 Mbps 72.1 ms
Mississippi 24.7 Mbps 11.6 Mbps 94.5 ms
Montana 36.2 Mbps 14.7 Mbps 123.1 ms
North Carolina 52.8 Mbps 12.7 Mbps 69.2 ms
North Dakota 97.1 Mbps 19.2 Mbps 62.5 ms
Nebraska 64.6 Mbps 17.1 Mbps 67.9 ms
New Hampshire 48.5 Mbps 14.4 Mbps 67. ms
New Jersey 84.9 Mbps 16.7 Mbps 46.5 ms
New Mexico 31.6 Mbps 13.5 Mbps 139.7 ms
Nevada 73.6 Mbps 15.4 Mbps 61.9 ms
New York 87. Mbps 16.7 Mbps 69.5 ms
Ohio 55.2 Mbps 15.2 Mbps 64.9 ms
Oklahoma 46.3 Mbps 13.6 Mbps 73.4 ms
Oregon 46.3 Mbps 13.1 Mbps 70.6 ms
Pennsylvania 79.2 Mbps 15.5 Mbps 56.9 ms
Rhode Island 146.8 Mbps 20.7 Mbps 48.5 ms
South Carolina 51.8 Mbps 12.9 Mbps 71.7 ms
South Dakota 46.7 Mbps 16.7 Mbps 74.7 ms
Tennessee 65.2 Mbps 15.4 Mbps 83.6 ms
Texas 60.4 Mbps 13.7 Mbps 67.4 ms
Utah 60.7 Mbps 16.6 Mbps 104.4 ms
Virginia 47.3 Mbps 12.9 Mbps 70.2 ms
Vermont 37. Mbps 11.7 Mbps 79.6 ms
Washington 62.6 Mbps 14.8 Mbps 63.1 ms
Wisconsin 61.7 Mbps 14.1 Mbps 61.5 ms
West Virginia 32.9 Mbps 12.6 Mbps 83.6 ms
Wyoming 28.1 Mbps 13.6 Mbps 122.2 ms

Verizon Coverage Frequently Asked Questions

Is Verizon coverage good?

Verizon has the largest coverage area of any cellular network and covers over 99% of Americans. For most people, Verizon will have good coverage.

Does Verizon offer 5G?

Yes. Verizon offers Nationwide 5G and Ultra Wideband 5G. Nationwide 5G covers more people, and Ultra Wideband 5G delivers super fast data speeds.

Does Verizon have coverage in Canada?

Yes. All of Verizon's postpaid plans include unlimited talk, text, and 2GB of high-speed data per day in Canada.

Does Verizon have coverage in Mexico?

Yes. All of Verizon's postpaid plans include unlimited talk, text, and 2GB of high-speed data in Mexico.

Does Verizon have international coverage?

Verizon charges $10 per day for international service for most of their plans. The international add-on is called the TravelPass, and it includes unlimited talk, text, and 2GB of high-speed data per 24-hour period in the country you're visiting.

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