A distance control apparatus for a vehicle detects a vehicle speed and a distance to a preceding vehicle through a vehicle speed sensor and a distance measuring device. The distance control apparatus calculates two deceleration distances by a driver model calculating device and a vehicle model calculating device. The driver model calculating device calculates the deceleration distance on the basis of the vehicle speed and the distance to a preceding vehicle and with reference to a driver's control characteristics. The vehicle calculating device calculates the deceleration distance on the basis of the vehicle speed and with reference to physical characteristics of the vehicle. A speed control device of the distance control apparatus executes a deceleration control of the vehicle according to a larger one of the driver model deceleration distance and the vehicle model deceleration distance so as to realize the distance control fitting with a driver's feel to a distance while keeping a secure distance derived from vehicle characteristics.
