Distance Between Zip Codes without using Long/Lat

[Anonymous]

I'm trying to find the distance between two zip codes. I've seen the options with using Google Maps API but I'm looking for a solution without using latitudes and longitudes. I know I can get latitudes and longitudes but I'm trying to really find the driving distance and I'm afraid by using latitudes and longitudes, it won't be accurate. For example, if there was a big mountain you would have to drive around, I'm afraid the distance between two points might be shorter using latitudes and longitudes verses looking at actual drive time. Is there a way to calculate this? Or am I over thinking it and using the latitudes and longitudes would actually be accurate? (And if so, how?) Thanks!

[benvega]

You can use the R package 'gmapsdistance' inside of the query editor.  You will need a google maps api key (which you can get for free) then you supply a list of destinations (can be a string or vector of strings) along with a list of origination points (can also be a string or vector of strings).  Both the originations and destinations can be stored within the query editor.

https://cran.r-project.org/web/packages/gmapsdistance/gmapsdistance.pdf

[Nathaniel_C]

Hi @Anonymous ,

I wonder if you could use something like this. https://distancecalculator.globefeed.com/US_Distance_Calculator.asp
Let me know if you have any questions.

If this solves your issues, please mark it as the solution, so that others can find it easily. Kudos are nice too.
Nathaniel