# Circles and driving areas on US ZIP maps

Official GBMaps guide for the classic map maker. VectorMaps has a different interface.

Source: https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=usa-coverage
Updated: 2026-09-30

The Radial Circles and Distance/Time tools also work on individual and combined US 5-digit ZIP maps. Choose straight-line circles for an approximate radius, or driving areas when roads and travel time matter.

![Radial Circles settings used to place a centre and choose mile intervals](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/help/images/coverage-circles.png)

The circle controls work the same way on an individual or combined US ZIP map. Distance/Time has its own panel for road-travel areas.

## 1. Add a straight-line radius

Open Radial Circles, place the centre on the map, then choose the number of rings and miles between them. The US ZIP map uses a state-aware scale, including combinations; treat the circles as approximate distances, not exact driving routes. You can colour whole ZIP areas within them if useful.

[Open this step](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=usa-coverage#usa-coverage--circles)

## 2. Build a road-travel area

Open Distance/Time, search for a starting place or click the map to put down a flag. Choose miles or driving minutes, set the limit and bands, then press Create. This uses the road network and needs active access; it is different from drawing radial circles.

[Open this step](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=usa-coverage#usa-coverage--travel)

## 3. Colour ZIPs from coverage

The coverage-colouring buttons can assign whole ZIP polygons using their centres. A ZIP touching the edge is not automatically included if its centre is outside. Choose Add to existing to keep other territory colours, or Replace colouring only when you want to start over.

[Open this step](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=usa-coverage#usa-coverage--postcode)

## Related guides

- [Radial Circles: distance rings](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=circles)
- [Distance/Time: road-travel areas](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=travel)
- [Colour postcodes inside travel areas](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=travel-postcodes)
- [Combine US states: try first, buy when ready](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=usa-combine)