A shift control system for a continuously variable transmission CVT) has a gear ratio controller for controlling the gear ratio of CVT by determining a target gear ratio from a drive point determined on the basis of at least a throttle opening and a vehicle speed. The shift control system also has a vehicle distance controller for maintaining a proper vehicle distance by controlling the throttle opening of an engine. A shift speed control device provided in the gear ratio controller increases the shift speed from the shift speed established at the time the vehicle distance is not controlled by the vehicle distance controller, when the vehicle distance is controlled by the vehicle distance controller.