Powerball ticket sales usually stop about 1–2 hours before the drawing, but the exact cutoff time depends on your state and whether you’re buying in‑store or online.
General cutoff window
Most states end Powerball sales roughly 60–120 minutes before the drawing time of 10:59 p.m. Eastern on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays. Some state lotteries specify a precise local cutoff (for example, around 9:45–10:00 p.m. in many Eastern states, and around 8:59 p.m. in many Central states).
Why the time varies
Each state lottery sets its own deadline so it can close sales, finalize transactions, and submit numbers in time for the draw. Third‑party or app- based services often stop sales even earlier than the state cutoff, sometimes more than two hours before the drawing.
How to find your exact time
To know how late you personally can play, check your state lottery’s official Powerball page or help center, or ask a local lottery retailer. Those sources list the local ticket sales cutoff time for draw days so you do not miss the deadline.