Nicole Richie to Hit the Road With Joel Madden  2/23/07

Pop punk Joel Madden and girlfriend Nicole Richie will be putting their romance to the test when they hit the road together.

Madden has told twin brother Benji and his fellow Good Charlotte band mates the socialite will be joining them when they tour America later this year (07).

A pal tells Life & Style magazine, "Joel and Nicole discussed the idea of being apart while he toured and weren't looking forward to it. Being cramped in a bus is far from ideal, but they want to do it. Nic's really looking forward to it."

The tour might be just what Richie needs - time away from getting behind the wheel herself. The Simple Life star is currently fighting a misdemeanor drink-driving charge stemming from an arrest in December (06) when she was spotted driving the wrong way onto a Los Angeles freeway.