Nearest search base on Zip Code

Question

Hey All,
I need some help for my following requirements -
-> In my web base product , client wants to add near search location base on zip code - that means if user enter zip code then user will receive nearest location within 5 or 10 mile.
Like if we open subway or In-N-Out site for find out nearest store location
Please let me know - How Can I do this task
thanks
amit

Answer 1

I've never done such a project before. However, here are some ideas:
* You need a list of every zip code in the country and its latitude and longitude (for the geographic center of each zip code).
Search google for something like this:
zip code latitude longitude
Ideally, you should be able to find a free listing. If not, you should be able to purchase one cheaply.
* Next, you need to create a list of stores, thier addresses, and their latitude and longitude.
* Next, write a program that determines the distance between the list of zip code latitudes/longitudes and the latitutude/longitude of the store in question. From that list of distances, search for and get the ones within x miles of the store.
Alternatively, you might want to see if there are any pre-existing services to do the above functionality for a small amount of money. I imagine mapquest might have such a service.