It's very interesting to hear about everyone's varied experiences going solo. My experiences are different than some who've already posted here.
First off I found that I was able to easily travel farther and faster when I was solo than when I was tandem. There are a few reasons for this. First off I travelled relatively light but double portaged with one large pack and a smaller one that I carried with the canoe. I was more organized than any tandem group I’ve ever been with so I generally landed at a portage and was on the move within seconds. Lunch breaks were generally short and functional. I tended to travel later in the day. I did not want to be in camp with little to do. I just wanted to camp with enough time to take care of chores and then hit the sack at dark, rise at first light, pack up and go again. Since almost any camp will do for a solo traveler there is little danger in waiting till the end of the day to find a spot (in Quetico). I also found that I fished far less as a solo paddler. Once a fish or two for a meal were caught I quickly lost interest in fishing. These days most of my thrills in fishing are when I can do it with others not alone.
To determine whether you personally will travel faster or slower as a solo consider: When you travel with a tandem or larger group, are you the one who always seems to be waiting for others to be ready to go? Or are you the one who is always ready to leave, eat, fish or portage last? Do you like to sleep in? Are you the one who does more than your share of chores around camp? Do you lack confidence with some camping/canoeing skills? Do you get distracted easily or are you focused on a destination or goal? Consider all of these things in order to determine if you will actually travel faster or slower than a group.
During my first solo I was shocked at how fast I was able to travel so I spent considerable time examining why this was so. Remember you will have to do all of the chores yourself BUT you will also not be interrupted during execution of those chores by someone who needs help or tutoring to do their own work. There is also no conversation to distract you from doing those same chores. There will be no discussion about how to set up a tarp, or where is the best tent pad or what to eat for dinner, or where to hang/hide the food pack. Get the idea?
Really, your personal style will become apparent during your first solo and you may be surprised to find out just what kind of a traveler you are. Whatever style that is let it flourish, that’s why you’re out there alone.