I have driven that road 4 times during my treks cross country and find it to be the most challenging region to drive in. Mostly due to the length of the drive, very fatiguing when you just want to get to Toronto or Ottawa or just across Ontario. Many twists and turns early in the drive but eventually opens up to some good highway driving.Watch out for the wildlife though, I almost got taken out by an elk a few years ago. The woods are right on top of you with little room for emergency maneuvers in certain areas.
The scenery is varied from beautiful lakeside views to just evergreen forests over and over again. The images can be spectacular during the fall and there are some very hilly sections where you can get some wondrous views of Lake Superior. Initially there aren't too many towns but after Sault Ste Marie, they become more numerous and some are very small and idyllic. Hope you like A & W restaurants in terms of fast food if that's your thing, that's all I saw in most small communities. There is one stretch where you drive for a while, reach a small town, slow down to 50km/h, hope to get through the lone traffic lights in the town and then pick up your speed and then reach another town, slow down to 50km/h, hit another lone traffic light and give her again. This part of the drive can be fun or exasperating depending on your view. Plus you sometimes end up being in a convoy of other cars all trying to get to where they are going, I call it chasing the rabbit. The car in front is the rabbit and we are all chasing him. Sometimes we take turns being the rabbit aka first car the cop busts on his radar. As you can see, the drive can get to you.
It was mostly 2 way traffic the last time I drove that road which makes passing quite the challenge especially if traffic is heavy. Sometimes you will come upon a train of cars stuck behind a motorhome or huge truck. Patience is the key during this drive at times. It is also tedious at times but fun too if you like driving.
I learned to take Highway 11 off of Highway 17 during my last trip to bypass all the twists and turns. It takes you further north and you come out at North Bay instead of by Sudbury but you can drive very fast on Highway 11 as it is much straighter and less travelled plus less cops. Beware of the cops around Sudbury, ghost cars everywhere. Actually, I have found cops in Ontario to be everywhere in general compared to other provinces.
Oh, and the speed limit is only 90 km/h for much of the drive.
I will be driving across Canada again this summer during my move back home to Newfoundland so I will be taking this route until Highway 11 unless I feel like visiting Lake Superior again. I may do that and take my time and enjoy the splendor of the great Canadian vista.
And don't forget to stop at the Terry Fox Memorial in Thunder Bay, he da man!! A true Canadian hero and inspiration to millions!!