A vehicle travel control method is provided for controlling a host vehicle so as to follow a preceding vehicle. A first area where the host vehicle can possibly travel is calculated from a travel trajectory of the new preceding vehicle upon detecting a new preceding vehicle cutting in between the preceding vehicle and the host vehicle. A second area is set to a previous travelable area of the host vehicle that was determined up to a previous time. The first area and the second area are added to define a defined travelable area. A target travel trajectory of the host vehicle is generated within the defined travelable area. The host vehicle is controlled along the generated target travel trajectory.