For more than two years, her career has traveled at warp speed through TV, movies and pop music.

"I miss my car [a black Range Rover], my home and my friends," the 16-year-old admitted during a recent telephone interview to promote her 36-city "Most Wanted" tour. She performs at the Delta Center on Wednesday. But, just like Lizzie McGuire, the television character who launched her stardom, Duff is having no trouble workin' it out.

"My cell phone is my life," she said, adding that it helps to travel from stage to stage on a big bus with mother, Susan, and big sister, 19-year-old Haylie - the tour's opening act - as well as the family's two dogs. (And on this particular August day her father, Bob, has flown in from their hometown of Houston to spend a few days with the family.)

On the bus, the teenager listens to her iPod and plays board games. Her favorite: MadGab.

"I'm obsessed," she said of the game that is a bit like deciphering vanity license plates. (Say the word "Eight Weeds Hoot" a few times. What do you hear? How about "a tweed suit.")

Homesick or not, Duff admits it's all good.

"I feel so lucky touring with my sister and having the fans support us," she said.

Support may be an understatement as everything Duff touches turns gold. It began with her two-year run as the quirky, yet lovable Lizzie McGuire. The Disney Channel show was one of the highest rated cable programs for pre-teens.

Disney followed up last summer with "The Lizzie McGuire Movie." It grossed $42 million and the movie soundtrack, which featured Duff on several tracks, went platinum. Duff's wholesome image made Lizzie a favorite of preteens as well as their parents and has turned Lizzie into a multimillion dollar brand.

"I have college guys say they love Lizzie McGuire," laughed Duff.

But after making the film, Duff was ready to shed her middle-school image and decided not to renew her contract. News reports claimed she was asking for more money and that she and Disney parted on less than amicable terms.

"The only thing I didn't agree to was the [Lizzie McGuire] sequel," she said. "It was just time to do other stuff."

That other stuff, of course, was to try a pop music career.

In August of 2003, Duff released her first album, "Metamorphosis," which quickly climbed up the charts. To date, it has sold more than 3 million copies and produced two chart-topping singles, "So Yesterday" and "Come Clean."

This summer, Duff is at it again with the film "A Cinderella Story," a modern remake of the classic fairy tale. She sings six of the 14 songs on the soundtrack and even teamed up with Haylie on the lead single, a cover of the Go-Gos 1981 hit "Our Lips Our Sealed."

Making the song and the tour a family affair was the perfect way for these busy siblings - Haylie has a budding movie career, too - to avoid a separation of more than two months.

"It worked out perfectly for her to be the special guest," said Duff, who insists that while the sisters "still get into it a little bit" their arguments are short-lived and they are best friends.

The "Most Wanted" tour ends on Sept. 10, but there will be no rest for Hilary.

Her sophomore album, titled "Hilary Duff," will be released Sept. 28 (her 17th birthday.) And that will be followed by two new movies.

In "Raise Your Voice," which will be in theaters in October, Duff plays a character whose brother is dying.

"It shows a different side of me that some people haven't seen yet," she said

In February, look for "The Perfect Man," which Duff calls a "dram-edy" about mother/daughter relationships. She stars opposite Heather Locklear.

At this pace, is Duff poised for a burn out? Might she be forced to choose between acting and singing?

"I want to keep doing both," she said. "I'm young and I don't get really worn down. I love my job and I'm willing to put in the work and effort."

As long as she can go home every once in awhile.

kathys@sltrib.com

Hilary Inc.

Age: 16

Hometown: Houston

Television: Lizzie McGuire, Disney Channel - No. 1 in its time slot

Films: "Agent Cody Banks"; "The Lizzie McGuire Movie"; "Cheaper by the Dozen"; "A Cinderella Story"; "Raise Your Voice" (Oct. 8); "The Perfect Man" (Feb. 2005)

Music: "Metamorphosis" sold 3.2 million copies; "Hilary Duff" (Sept. 28, Duff's 17th birthday); "A Cinderella Story" soundtrack; Lizzie McGuire series soundtrack.

Merchandise: Stuff by Hilary Duff, a line of clothing, accessories and cosmetics sold at Target

Charity: Kids With a Cause, nonprofit for impoverished youngsters

Hilary's here

* Hilary Duff "Most Wanted" Tour is Aug. 25, 7p.m., at the Delta Center.

* Tickets are $34-$40, available at Ticketmaster outlets.

* Haylie, Duff's sister, will open the show.