A vehicle travel assistance method executed by a processor, comprising: setting a travel lane in which a subject vehicle travels based on detection information of a sensor equipped in the subject vehicle; identifying a preceding vehicle traveling ahead of the subject vehicle in the travel lane based on the detection information of the sensor; calculating a shortening width of travel time shortened by overtaking the preceding vehicle based on a vehicle speed of the subject vehicle and a vehicle speed of the preceding vehicle; determining not to execute the overtaking of the preceding vehicle when the shortening width is less than a second predetermined value; characterized in that the shortening width of travel time is calculated by subtracting a travel time when the subject vehicle overtakes the preceding vehicle from a travel time when the subject vehicle does not overtake the preceding vehicle; and the method further comprises: calculating, based on the detection information of the sensor, a first evaluation value indicating a possibility that the subject vehicle can return to the travel lane from an adjacent lane adjacent to the travel lane after overtaking the preceding vehicle; setting the first evaluation value to a smaller value as the possibility is higher; and determining to execute the overtaking of the preceding vehicle when the shortening width is equal to or greater than the second predetermined value and the first evaluation value is less than a first predetermined value. setting a travel lane in which a subject vehicle travels based on detection information of a sensor equipped in the subject vehicle; identifying a preceding vehicle traveling ahead of the subject vehicle in the travel lane based on the detection information of the sensor; calculating a shortening width of travel time shortened by overtaking the preceding vehicle based on a vehicle speed of the subject vehicle and a vehicle speed of the preceding vehicle; determining not to execute the overtaking of the preceding vehicle when the shortening width is less than a second predetermined value; characterized in that the shortening width of travel time is calculated by subtracting a travel time when the subject vehicle overtakes the preceding vehicle from a travel time when the subject vehicle does not overtake the preceding vehicle; and the method further comprises: calculating, based on the detection information of the sensor, a first evaluation value indicating a possibility that the subject vehicle can return to the travel lane from an adjacent lane adjacent to the travel lane after overtaking the preceding vehicle; setting the first evaluation value to a smaller value as the possibility is higher; and determining to execute the overtaking of the preceding vehicle when the shortening width is equal to or greater than the second predetermined value and the first evaluation value is less than a first predetermined value. calculating, based on the detection information of the sensor, a first evaluation value indicating a possibility that the subject vehicle can return to the travel lane from an adjacent lane adjacent to the travel lane after overtaking the preceding vehicle; setting the first evaluation value to a smaller value as the possibility is higher; and determining to execute the overtaking of the preceding vehicle when the shortening width is equal to or greater than the second predetermined value and the first evaluation value is less than a first predetermined value.