Last month there was a discussion of the (You need to Login or Register to view media files and links)  Many of our solo paddlers contributed thoughts to that thread.  However, some notable exceptions include Intrepid Camper, MagicPaddler and pineknot. (I'm sure I'm leaving out a whole host of others that don't come to mind at this hour.)

As far as your distance question, I think ST indicated 10-12 miles per travel day.  I'd say that distance is an approximate average of the different legs I plan for a trip.  My general tendency is to travel for a day or two and then do a layover day.  Having the layover days provides plenty of opportunity to fish/explore and puts "slack" into your schedule in the event of weather delays.  I also carefully inspect my route and make mental notes of where bail-out options are should I get into trouble along the way.  I do carry a SPOT unit for those worst case scenarios.  But clearly, distance of travel is somewhat related to time of year you are traveling.  Early or late, you'll probably have to stop to make camp in the 4:00 - 5:00 pm window.  You can easily get a couple of extra hours of paddling in during mid-summer.  So, getting 16 or more miles in in one day is not out of the question.  But, as I get older, I get much less focused on distance and spend more time watching the scenery roll by.

ST also suggested that your days are comparatively full ... you do all of the camp chores.  You might also find that you travel a tad heavier since there is no one else to share/split the load with.  But that could balance out ... I don't carry extra dishes and pots when I go solo since I tend to eat directly from the pot used for cooking.  However, since I tend to cook mostly on a stove, I'll often take a backup (something comparatively small and light.)

As for other differences, I'll be a bit more careful of my actions on a variety of levels.  Being injured and being alone is the outcome I make effort to avoid.  Also, if you are on the water in difficult conditions, in most cases self-rescue is the only choice you are going to have.

I've heard some say that they are uncomfortable being alone and/or sleeping when there is no one else around.  I've always been comfortable in the woods and being alone has never really been a problem for me.  I've seen both bears and wolves on trips ... never had a problem with either.  The only issue I've ever had is a moose stumbling through camp and hanging an antler on the corner of my tarp.

But the bottom line is:  You travel when you want, you stay put when you want.  You get up when you want, you go to bed when you want.  If you want to travel this way as opposed to that, you get to make the call.  If you want to eat breakfast for dinner (or vice versa), do it!  So, you might call it ultimate freedom to do as you please.

dd

I don't do anything differently solo than tandem, except maybe pick more adventurous harder/longer routes solo, since it's only me I have to convince I want to do that, and its easier to arrange.  I don't cary a spot or PLB or anything else, either solo or tandem - I guess I'm likely to fish more on a tandem trip though.  Typically, I plan on 15 to 20 mile travel days depending on the number of portages involved

in either case, I'm packing as light as I can, and travel most days - maybe one or two layover days out of 10 or 12

there have been many many threads on the topic - instead of doing a "search", just scroll backwards thru the thread index/list

Solo I like to cover 10-15km/day.  Tandem I prefer 15-20.  I'm in no rush, not racing, it's vacation.  I can exhaust myself by going for a paddle after camp is set if I want to.

Essentially it's all about being aware that you're alone and planning accordingly type common sense.

Plan for shorter distances or longer days more delays.  Since the weather is usually calmer in the morning/evening, if I have a long day (>15km) planned I get up before the sun and am on the water while it's still misty & calm.

Portages slow me more than anything.  I gotta carry everything & I 2-trip so every portage is triple the distance.  2km becomes 6km.

Make camp early.  Paddling until sunset is fine if you only have to do half the work or less of making camp, firewood, dinner, food hang...

Judgement on the side of caution.  Almost any concern is enough to have me stay safe.

Be smart, be aware.  Don't swing an axe at your own foot.  Keep hands behind blades & cut away, not toward.  Douse fires completely when not attended.  Keep your kit tight, if it's not in use it's put away.

Mentally, well the best part is that you have nobody to disapoint if you decided to bug-out early.  For me there used to be a Day Three Hump to get over.  Now it's a Day Seven Hump.  Pushing past the hump, whenever you experience it, is totally worth it.

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.

Well said Ben!
I like going with small groups but prefer the solo trips.  Mostly I like not having to wait, give orders or lessons, be social when I don't feel like it or get up early and rush through breakfast faster than I want to.  The fellows who've already weighed in have said exactly what I might have.
I get out of camp around 9:00 am, travel at a steady but not fast pace all day, pack lunch items and snacks within easy reach and munch as I go and don't stop for lunch, quit between 4: and 6:00 leaving plenty of time to do all my chores before the bugs come out at dusk.  I also keep a journal and enjoy reading and re-living my trips over the winter.  I often take a book along but usually don't get around to reading any of it.
Regarding food, I try to pack just what I will eat or sometimes take a small food storage container with a good cover so I can save the leftovers for part of next day's meal.  Most packaged mixes or meals are too big for one serving so I divide them at home and repackage with a note about cooking directions.
About the only down side I've read about others solo experiences was that they got tired of their own company and wished there was someone else to talk to.  It is nice to have others to share the good times with and keep you company through the trying times that might discourage you.  I also agree there are sometimes days you wonder why you are "out there" but also agree the next day is a whole new story and the "downer" feelings are quickly forgotten.  IC