# Combine US states: try first, buy when ready Official GBMaps guide for the classic map maker. VectorMaps has a different interface. Source: https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=usa-combine Updated: 2026-09-30 Use the USA chooser to put several state ZIP maps together. The right-hand side offers three ways to buy: your selected states together, one state at a time, or all 50 states. Buying is optional while you try and customise the combined map. ![USA state chooser with Kansas, Oklahoma and Missouri selected; buy them together for £75 plus VAT, individually for £25 each, or all 50 for £150 plus VAT; Load selected states remains available before buying](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/help/images/usa-state-chooser-three.png) The three selected states can be loaded for a trial without buying. The buttons on the right offer a three-state bundle, individual states or all 50. ## Change states from the Details dropdown ![Details dropdown for a California and Nevada combined ZIP map, with Change selected states and Browse other maps](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/help/images/usa-detail-dropdown.png) The dropdown names the states you are using. Choose Change selected states to reopen the chooser and amend them. Browse other maps opens the catalogue without closing it if it is already open. ## 1. Open the state chooser In More Maps, open USA 5-digit ZIP Codes and choose Combine Multiple States. If you are already on a combined map, open the Detail dropdown at the top of the page and press Change selected states. [Open this step](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=usa-combine#usa-combine--open) ## 2. Pick states on the small USA map Click a state on the map on the left. It turns gold and its name appears under Your selected states on the right. Click the same state again, or its gold name button, to remove it. Clear starts your selection again. You can select up to three states at present. [Open this step](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=usa-combine#usa-combine--choose) ## 3. The mainland states must join up The states you combine must make one connected area: each mainland state must touch at least one of the others, so there is no gap between the group. They do not all have to touch every other state. For example, Kansas, Oklahoma and Missouri work together. If you click a distant state, the chooser explains why it cannot be added; pick a connecting state or remove a separated choice. Alaska may be added separately, but still uses one of the three places. [Open this step](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=usa-combine#usa-combine--touch) ## 4. Load the combined map Press Load selected states. The chosen ZIP polygons appear together as one map you can colour and customise. You do not have to buy them first. Save any work on the current map before loading a different combination. [Open this step](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=usa-combine#usa-combine--load) ## 5. Buy the selected states together The blue Buy states together button is optional. It buys full access to each selected state you do not already own for 12 months, at £25 per state plus VAT where applicable. In the picture, Kansas, Oklahoma and Missouri total £75 plus VAT. Once owned, you can use those states separately or in other permitted combinations; you are not buying only this exact three-state layout. [Open this step](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=usa-combine#usa-combine--bundle) ## 6. Or buy one state at a time The white buttons under Or buy an individual state let you choose just one of the selected states for £25 plus VAT where applicable. Any selected states you have not bought remain in trial mode. If you buy some states first, the together price later leaves out the ones you already own. [Open this step](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=usa-combine#usa-combine--individual) ## 7. Or buy access to all 50 states The green Buy all 50 button is £150 plus VAT where applicable for 12 months. It lets you choose from all the state maps whenever you need them. The rule of up to three selected states in one combined map still applies; this purchase does not put all 50 on one editing page. [Open this step](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=usa-combine#usa-combine--all) ## 8. Change the selection later Use the top-of-page Detail dropdown to reopen the chooser, adjust the selected states and load again. A trial choice is remembered for this browser session; it is not a permanent saved map. If you own a state, you can also use it separately or in another permitted combination. [Open this step](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=usa-combine#usa-combine--return) ## Related guides - [USA 5-digit ZIP maps: choose a state](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=usa-zip-maps) - [Buying US ZIP maps and seeing US prices](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=usa-billing) - [ZIP labels, place names and dots](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=usa-zip-details) - [More Maps: find the right boundaries](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=more)