A vehicle control apparatus includes a traveling controller and a determination unit. The traveling controller is configured to control driving force when a vehicle travels. The determination unit is configured to determine, in a case where an obstacle is detected on a road surface on which the vehicle travels, appropriateness of the vehicle passing over the obstacle. The traveling controller is configured to control the driving force of the vehicle to prevent the vehicle from passing over the obstacle in a case where the determination unit determines that it is inappropriate to pass over the obstacle.