In a control device for an internal combustion engine (E) of a vehicle comprising a particulate filter (42) installed in an exhaust passage of the engine and a loading device (63) that applies a load to the engine, the control device (9) is configured to execute a regeneration process for regenerating the particulate filter under a prescribed condition. When a vehicle is in a congested state, the temperature of the particulate filter typically drops below a threshold level for enabling a regenerating process. However, according to the present invention, the particulate filter may be regenerated even when the vehicle is in a congested state if a loading device such as an air conditioner is activated, and the temperature of the particulate filter is therefore high enough. Thereby, the particulate filter may be actively regenerated whenever possible.