How many times have you been late to an appointment or work assignment because you're stuck in traffic? It seems to happen more and more often. Thank goodness for interesting bumper stickers or we might go mad. With GPS on every smartphone there are plenty of apps that can help you avoid traffic jams, accidents, and constructionor at least give you an idea of how long you're going to have to sit and wait. Being stuck in traffic stinks but sometimes just knowing how long you're going to be stuck can help you cope.

Google Maps is available on just about every smartphone, and is one of the best mapping systems on the market hands down; no one can come close to all its functions. However, it doesn't have all the information I need when it comes to traffic. Here are some handy apps that will help you avoid the gridlock, get you to your destination quicker, and (hopefully) prevent you from exploding with road rage.

Waze

Free Available for Android, iPhone, and Windows phone

Waze is not your typical navigation app. Waze has a social network function that's really cool. The app counts on input from you and other drivers to give information on real-time traffic conditions and constructioneven speed traps. The app has great maps, which is no surprise since it was bought by Google. Its user interface is very simple with easy-to-read notifications. It provides alerts and warning shared by people in the community traveling on the same roads. The app has voice-guided navigation and will learn your frequent routes. Taking road conditions into consideration, it will direct you to the fastest possible route. Another cool function: Waze will find the cheapest gas station along the route to your destination. Downsides: no public transit information, and no speed limit alert. Overall this is a great app that will help you avoid traffic. It's my personal favorite.

INRIX

Free Available for Android, iPhone, Blackberry, and Windows phone

INRIX is a great navigation and traffic app. It gives detailed, real-time reports on traffic conditions, incidents, construction, and road closuresall right at your fingertips. The app allows you to share your arrival times with friends, and has a large database of great maps. A cool feature allows you to save daily routes and store them in the cloud so they can be available for you on multiple devices. INRIX allows you to input a destination and the time you need to be there; it then alerts you to when you should leave, as well as potentially quicker routes, both based on current road conditions. This app provides speed limit alerts. One of the coolest functions of INRIX is that it provides traffic camera feeds so you can see for yourself what the traffic looks like in real time. Downside: no voice-guided navigation, and no public transit information. Overall, this is a well-rounded app that helps you avoid trouble spots.

Beat the Traffic

Free Available for Android and iPhone

Beat the Traffic provides real-time alerts for traffic conditions and construction. This app provides email alerts, letting you know about problems on your saved routes. It also boasts detailed maps of the US and Canada. The app does provide turn-by-turn navigation, as well as smart routes: the app can provide alternate routes to help you avoid traffic. The app allows you to view real-time traffic camera feeds, and can estimate your arrival time based on current conditions. One of the cool features is integrated weather conditions (the app is owned by the Weather Channel) which suggest routes keeping weather in mind. It also allows you to keep up with local weather without switching apps. Beat the Traffic does provide speed limit alerts. As a free app, it does have pop-up ads which can be annoying. Downsides: has no voice-guided navigation and no public transit information.

It's never a bad idea to try several traffic apps to find the one that works for you the best. Give these a whirl and let us know what you think. Or maybe you already have a favorite traffic app that isn't listed here. We'd love to hear what works for you.

Just for fun: What was the longest time you were stuck in traffic and how did you pass the time? Tell us in the comments below.