Running on a road has both pros and cons in relation to running on a treadmill. Most runners will use both indoor and outdoor training, emphasizing one over the other at different times of year or according to personal preference. A treadmill can be more monotonous than outdoor running but has advantages in terms of convenience and safety.
Safety
A treadmill is advantageous over road running because you are not running in or near vehicular traffic. It can be dangerous for road runners to cross roads or to run along the side of the road, when cars and other vehicles are also using the road. High-visibility gear is a must for road running, especially in the early morning or at dusk. Treadmill running is also safer when you want to exercise in a supervised environment such as a gym. However, it is possible to fall off a treadmill, which is a negative in terms of safety.
Weather
One of the major disadvantages to road running is unpredictable weather. When it is very hot or cold, running indoors on a treadmill allows you to control your climate and optimize your running performance. During cold winters, a gym or home treadmill area can be heated; in the summer the same area can be air-conditioned. An article by Suping Zhang, in the 1992 issue of the International Journal of Biometeorology, indicates that the optimum climate for long-distance runners is 50 to 55 degrees F.
Impact
A solid road or sidewalk is a higher-impact running surface than a treadmill belt or a dirt road. Running on harder surfaces increases the jolting effect on your body and joints, particularly your knees. If recovering from a knee injury, you may find a treadmill less painful than road running during the healing period. Impact can also be controlled on a treadmill through your ability to choose a completely flat running surface or adjust the incline manually. Personal trainer and running coach Rick Morris, writing for Running Planet, indicates that controlling incline on a treadmill can speed up your running overall.
Motivation
Depending on your personal preferences, either road running or treadmill running may be more motivating for you. A treadmill may motivate you to work out because of the ease of running a certain distance without having to calculate routes or estimate your speed -- most treadmill displays will show you these variables as you are running. However, some runners find that outdoor running is more motivating -- even in winter weather -- because of the fresh air, scenery and the sense of physically getting somewhere as you run.
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