In this research, the rod rolling line of Kousar mill that produces structural steel rods was simulated in terms of mechanical and thermal characteristics. The commercial finite element code ABAQUS 6.5 was used for this purpose and campared with the temperature of the surface of the steel rod was experimentally measured using a pyrometer throughout the whole rolling line, power of motors and experimental results of other researchers. The thermo-mechanical simulation results achieved showed a good agreement with the experimentally measured data as well as other published results. Stress distribution, principal stresses hydrostatic stress and strain in the deformation zone and the temperature distributions in the interpass and deformation zone, force and power of motors, and effect of friction on of mechanical and thermal characteristics were discussed. The results of this research show that temperature in the centre of slab will increased because of thickness and severe deformation. This model showes undesirable effects of friction on mechanical and thermal characteristics. Using this model,the power and force for rod rolling in various calibres was calculated. Camparing these results with analytical results show that results of this model have better agreement with experimental results.