Given the huge geographical size of America, the need to talk to your friends and family gives way to some grave secondary thoughts. What will be the cost of calling my dad in Ann Arbor, Mich., when am stuck in Houston? Long distance calling is considered costlier than the local calls. In fact, it is rather expensive in most cases. The only solution available is the long distance cell phone plan. You must be wondering on the ratio of savings on a long distance cell phone plan. The basic component of a long distance cell phone plan is the calling rate per minute. Roaming charges are second in importance. Increasingly, many cellular companies have relinquished roaming charges within mainland America as well as Hawaii and Alaska. Long distance cell phone plan can be divided into two main categories.

• Nationwide long distance cell phone plan

• International long distance cell phone plan

Nationwide plan Nationwide long distance cell phone plan offers subsidized calling rates across America. In some cases, these rates are as lower as $0.15. The actual calling tariff depends on the distance from your home base. Let's say that you are vacationing in Hawaii while your home town is Boston. Most companies will levy the tariff in the range of $1.5 to $2.5 dollars/minute during peak time. Late night calling is already free under most packages and same is the case with text messaging. International plans International long distance cell phone plan is a bit different from the nationwide plans. First, one has to pay a sizable roaming charge. This roaming charge may be as higher as $5 a day if you are traveling in Asia or Africa. Canada is usually counted as a second-home and a couple of companies do not charge any roaming charges. As for the actual calling rates, again, the distance plays an important role. Calling to Europe will not cost  you more than$3/minute in most cases. While calls for Asia can be as costlier as $10. There are some packages available that can help you in cutting the costs of your call.