An engine control apparatus is configured to perform engine automatic stop to automatically stop an engine when predetermined engine stop conditions are satisfied and automatically restart the engine when predetermined engine restart conditions are satisfied. The stop conditions including that a vehicle speed decreases below a predetermined stop permission speed. The engine control apparatus includes a variation amount detection means for detecting a variation amount of a brake operation being performed by the vehicle driver during a deceleration period from when the vehicle has started to decelerate to when the vehicle speed has decreased below the stop permission speed, and a stop determination means for determining whether the engine automatic stop should be performed when the engine stop conditions are satisfied based on the variation amount detected by the variation amount detection means.