It spans six districts just north of the Pasig River in what is generally considered Manila's old downtown area.

Recto's western terminus is at an intersection with Mel Lopez Boulevard (Radial Road 10) at the district boundaries of Tondo and San Nicolas, close to the Manila North Harbor.

It runs northeast before curving east at Juan Luna Street and Estero de Binondo.

It then passes through the Divisoria shopping area of Manila south of the Tutuban railway station until it curves southeast past the A. Rivera Street junction.

[2] In the early 1900s, Azcárraga was a theater-and-restaurant row, with Teatro Libertad and Zorrilla Theatre attracting the well-dressed crowd to zarzuela shows and operas that ran on weekends.

[7][8][9] Construction of the LRT Line 2 viaduct, initially traversing Recto Avenue's center island from T. Alonzo Street eastwards, began in 1997.