City, State AND Zip?? Why?

Question

When I address a letter, why do I need to put the City, State, AND Zip code when the ZIP code tells you the city, state and specific section?

What I mean is, if you go to Google maps, or expedia, or mapquest...etc...and type in a ZIP code, it will instantly take you there.

So why can't I just write the ZIP code on an envelope? That's really all they need at the Post office anyway...

For example, If I write: 1234 Street St., 60614 You can easily find that 60614 is in Chicago (Lincoln Park). So why do I also need to write "Chicago, IL" on the letter?

Answer 1

Actually, if you know the extended zip code (11111-1111); then , I believe, you don't even need the address. The USPS is covertly trying to move everyone to that... Covertly because there isn't any kind of public campaign...yet...

Answer 2

You're right, but these are government workers you're dealing with, and they will go out of their way to make you provide extra useless and redundant material.

But, I do believe if you have the street address and the 9-digit zip code, it'll be delivered to the proper address. I have a PO Box and I have had mail delivered to the PO Box # with only a zip code listed.

Answer 3

Good point.  It simply increases the chances the letter gets delivered to the correct place since many envelopes are still hand written.  If you only put the zip code down then there is a chance one of the numbers could be misinterpreted, or smudge in transit.  There are points along the way where the mail is sorted by hand.  It's easier to glance at the city and state than to have the USPS employee be able to identify all those zip codes.

Having the city and state spelled out is extra insurance that it goes to the right place.

Answer 4

What if there is 123456 N Street Dr, City, ST 10001 and 123456 S Street Dr, City,  ST 10004 and you address your envelope 123456 Street Dr, City ST?

What if the City and state get obscured?

And, more importantly, the zip code is standardized and so can be read by machine easier than the city and state which can be misspelled, mis-abbreviated, etc.

In all actuality, you can address a letter without the city and state and it will get where it is going most of the time. And, you don't have to use the zip code. But in either case, you risk slow delivery and non-delivery due to bad address.