The dire travel conditions for the ‘Breast from the East 2’ led to several crashes on the A30, and caused long tailbacks along the road.
The whole country has been hit by a wave of bad weather over the weekend with temperatures dropping well below zero.
More than 80 people, including children and a dog have gathered in Okehampton College to sleep for the night.
Richard White, volunteer rest centre manager, said spirits were high among the residents despite their dramatic evening.
He said: "We first of all provide them with something hot to drink and we've got blankets, duvets.
"We make sure people get a good night's sleep, we feed them in the morning and weather-permitting, we prepare them to get back in their cars and on their way."
Meanwhile, the car park of a service station in Okehampton is full of drivers who have given up hope of making it home for the night and have chosen to sleep in their vehicles.
The A30 from the M5 at Exeter has since been closed because of the snow with Devon and Cornwall Police working with Highways Agency to help dos motorists still stuck on the road.
Rob Llewellyn, a Network Operations Manager for Highways England, tweeted: “The Highways England teams have worked hard for many hours alongside the police and other partners to get drivers moving on A30 at Okehampton.
“Road remains closed but all stranded traffic now released.
“Further snow expected for next 4-6 hours so please delay your journey.”
Devon and Cornwall Police added: “A30 Devon and Cornwall closed, significant snow that highways are working to clear, if you're already on it drive with caution as conditions are variable changing rapidly from passable to impossible , if not on it delay your journey until midmorning at the earliest.”
Some 64 miles of road between the M5 at Exeter and the A38 at Bodmin were shut.
Hundreds of schools in the area have also already announced they will be closed on Monday.
The poor weather conditions are expected to continue to cause travel problems in Devon tomorrow.
Met Office forecaster Becky Mitchell said there will be "really tricky" travelling conditions as snow begins to drift.
The forecaster warned of ice and said temperatures in many places will be below freezing.
Ms Mitchell said rural spots could see lows of minus 6C or minus 7C, and it will feel as cold as -8C or -10C.