In a vehicle drive control apparatus, a behavior determination unit determines whether a vehicle behavior is in a stable state or an unstable state based on a vehicle turning behavior. An engine stop control unit avoids stopping the engine as automatic stop conditions are not satisfied when the vehicle behavior is determined to be in an unstable state during operation of the engine. When the vehicle behavior is in a stable state and other automatic stop conditions are satisfied during operation of the engine, the engine stop control unit stops the engine. During stability control performed by a stability ECU, the engine stop control unit avoids stopping the engine as the automatic stop conditions are not satisfied.