Looking to build a postcode distance calculator

basic

Hi - new to the site and not sure if this is an appropriate place to post this, please let me know if I should be discussing this elsewhere!

I am looking for a way to find the closest location(s) to a postcode supplied by a user. I'm not just looking for the closest numerically - but the closest geographically. Specifically I am looking for a solution that works with Australian postcodes, but would also be interested in NZ / UK / USA solutions.

I have been searching online but not managed to find a database of postcode locations - or a way of calculating distance between these - and was hoping that someone might have some experience in this area or pointers to where I should look for further information.

Thanks!

dan.

Weedpacket

I'm sure this issue has come up on these forums before. Have you tried searching here?

thorpe

if you go to http://www.phparchitect.com/issue.php?mid=9 and download the free issue of php|architect magazine, there is an article in it on doing just this.

jonno946

i have made one in the past for UK postcodes using publically available coordinates and a calculation to convert coordinates into distance i found doing a quick search on google.

i'd recommend google for your first place to start.

Jonno.

AstroTeg

Google and you shall find...

I've got some SQL tricks on doing distance calculations here: http://www.rsbauer.com/webdev.php (scroll to the bottom)

For the raw data, you may be on your own or you may have to buy it. I'm not sure what is available in Australia.

basic

Thanks all for the replies, I did do a fair bit of searching before posting the question - problem is that a search including the term postcode returns stacks of results - but they are topics containing the term postcode (it is a field used frequently in database designs!) but not talkikng specifically about postcode comparison routines.

The info on distance calcs from all has been useful - will have to review / experiment in more detail over the next weeks.

The main problem I am finding now is that I have yet to source data listing the coordinates of specific postcodes. I think I'll have to contact australia post and see if they have anything to offer - there is little of use on their site.

I did manage to find a database that groups postcodes into the specific mail centres that deal with each one, though it still does not provide information on how close each mail centre is to eachother.

the hunt continues...

Big_Tex

http://www.samknows.com/toys/distance.php

This is a good site for postcodes, Could anyone help me with this problem I am new to PHP I have the postcode data working but what I need to do is take the result e.g postcode A and postcode b= 94 miles take the 94 miles and multiply it by a set price per mile to give me a total cost for the trip in PHP I have searched the internet with no result help!