ZIP Zones designate broad regions of the country. Whereas a standard 5-digit ZIP code refers to a very specie location, the first number of the ZIP code indicates a region that encompasses multiple states. There are 10 ZIP Zones in the United States. Zone 0 includes the seven Northeastern states that have zip codes that begin with a zero. Zone 9 includes the three West Coast states whose ZIP codes begin with 9. There are three ZIP zones in Canada and one in Mexico.
How Zip Zones are used?
ZIP Zones come in handy when using DAT’s load boards. For example, when a carrier posts a truck, he needs to specify where he is willing to go. If a carrier is willing to drive to any state on the East Coast, he can simply list Z0, Z1, Z2, rather than typing in a dozen separate states.
What is key Market Area?
A Key Market Area, or KMA, is a collection of 3-digit ZIP code areas that are inuenced by or “keyed” to a major city or economic center. Noting that freight rates behave dierently in each market, DAT created Key Market Areas when it launched DAT RateView™ in 2010. RateView uses 135 key market areas that capture the top freight markets in the U.S.