YUMA, Ariz. - The idea of instant wealth is intoxicating. People across the country are hurrying to take their chance at the Powerball drawing Wednesday night.

The Powerball lottery has hit a record high at $550 million for the Wednesday night's drawing.

One man buying a ticket at a Yuma, Ariz. convenience store told 10News he would buy a motorcycle if he won the prize. Another said he would get a house, a car and spend the money.

Yuma is the closest place to buy a ticket if you live in San Diego. It is not legal to buy one unless you are in a state that participates. California is not participating.

For store clerk Gloria Garcia, Tuesday was a busy day.

"Oh my God, people are buying like $130, $40, $30, $20... going crazy," she said.

Out-of-towners are frequent visitors, especially when the jackpot is gargantuan.    

"Oh, yeah, we get lots of people from San Diego, L.A.," she said.

More than 1 billion in tickets have been sold for this drawing. Ticket machines could not keep up with the frenzy in Georgia. There were often lines out the door at some stores.  Forty-two states and the District of Columbia join in the Powerball lottery. California is not included.