You should have asked for info on area hotels with a "distressed travelers" rate, since they would not put you up (being your originating airport). They should have been able to at least get you a $50-60 rate so you wouldn't have to drive 2 hours each way. If the agent didn't know about it, talk to the station manager (or even another airline's personnel) could have preventing another 4 hour drive for you.

And yes, write the complaint letter, and send a copy to Aunt DOT.