Vehicle control apparatus

A vehicle control apparatus for controlling traveling of an own vehicle, comprising:

• a vehicle detector that detects a first target vehicle, and detects a first own vehicle distance between the first target vehicle and the own vehicle, the first target vehicle traveling on an adjacent lane adjacent to a driving lane on which the own vehicle is traveling in a same direction as the own vehicle;
• a calculator that calculates a relative speed of the own vehicle to the first target vehicle, based on a change in the first own vehicle distance;
• a curve setting portion that virtually sets a first curve at a position ahead of the first target vehicle, when the first target vehicle traveling on the adjacent lane is detected on a side of the own vehicle or behind the own vehicle, the first curve representing a lower limit relative speed determined in association with a distance from the first target vehicle;
• and
• a vehicle controller that causes the own vehicle to travel at a relative speed not lower than a relative speed to the first target vehicle, which is determined by the first curve depending on the first own vehicle distance, when the own vehicle changes from the driving lane to the adjacent lane at a position ahead of the first target vehicle.