Here’s the thing, you can choose a toll-free number, or choose the area code (digits 1-3 in telephone number), however these are more expensive. Also, a toll-free number will cost you between 2¢ and 23¢ per minute depending on the origin area code. You could choose your area code for most locations, but this will cost about $6/month. For this tutorial, I am going to recommend the Dollar Unlimited Option. You will not be able to choose your area code, but every provider I know of charges the caller the same rate no matter where in the United States they live in. The number will likely be from an area in the upper north east of the US. So a caller from Southern California will be able to call this number for no additional charge.
Once you receive your number, make note of it. This will obviously be important. All US telephone numbers will have some formatting rules as the same no matter what area code. The 1st and 4th digit will never be a 0 or 1. Keep in mind that your telephone number will always be 10 digits long, and the country code is +1.