Insurgentes has its origins in what was during the early 20th century known as the Via del Centenario which ran from city centre to the southern suburbs.

[1] Many decades later, after it was paved and widened, its name was changed to Avenida de los Insurgentes, apparently happening during the administration of President Miguel Alemán, when the area attracted wealthy urbanites for sophisticated, modern housing.

Many of Mexico City's emblematic colonias (such as Condesa, Roma, Del Valle, Napoles, San Ángel, Pedregal) are either crossed or on the side of Insurgentes.

The Mexico City Metrobús bus rapid transit system, opened in 2005, runs along the avenue, from Tlalpan to Indios Verdes metro station.

Mexico City Metrobús Line 1, inaugurated in 2005, runs on Avenida de los Insurgentes for 28.1 km, almost all of the avenue's length, from Indios Verdes to El Caminero.