I'm trying to plan a trip to Yosemite in March. Trying to figure out lodging is SO confusing due to conflicting information.

First - I need something I can cancel since due to possibility of snow at that time of year I will be have a "Plan B" trip. The IN park lodging has a 7 day cancellation policy so that won't work. In El Portal, Cedar Lodge and Yosemite View Lodge look like you can cancel with only loosing 25%. There are a number of places in Mariposa where you can cancel till the day before.

My confusion is regarding how far these places actually are from Yosemite. On three different sites I've read that Cedar Lodge is "at the entrance", 8 miles, or 13 miles from it. On the Comfort Inn Mariposa site it says it's 19 miles, yet clearly Mariposa is 30 miles. If we are talking a 45 minute drive between say Cedar Lodge and Comfort Inn (or other) then it would be worth the 25% cancel fee. However, if we're only talking 15 or 20 minutes difference then it's not. Also, Cedar Lodge gets really diverse ratings - some say it's horrible and others say its fine.

Any suggestions? Am I missing anything?

It is unlikely that it will be actively snowing in March.
There will probably be snow laying at roadside but it will be safe to drive unless it is warm enough to start flooding the road near bridges.
Do you have to go by way of ElPortal or can you go in the south entrance from Oakhurst?
A few years ago (in November) DW and I stayed in Oakhurst after getting off the train in Fresno. We got up early and got to Mariposa Grove by 10AM.
There is a lot more to Yosemite than just "the Valley".
Check the YARTS bus schedule to see when they start in the spring from Merced to Yosemite Lodge.
They do stop in El Portal if you didn't want to drive in yourself.

Google maps is your friend.

Try to stay in the park. So much better. The chance of a huge storm that would close things down is slim. Mariposa is not handy. . El Portal would be better. Personally, because of history, I would not stay at Cedar Lodge. Yosemite View seems to get better reviews. The mileage discrepancies are park entrance versus valley floor. The boundaries of the park are huge.

In order of location

1) IN Yosemite Valley
2) El Portal
3) elsewhere in the park such as Wawona
. . . . And waaaaay down the list - Mariposa.

You will almost certainly be able to get to Yosemite in march. There could be a snow storm of course. But the likelihood of a road closing/heavy winter storm is unlikely.

I personally would only choose Yosemite Lodge in the valley or Yosemite View Lodge in El Portal.

The major routes into Yosemite, including 41 through Oakhurst and 140 through Mariposa, are kept plowed; so I really don't think you have to worry about it.

Another consideration are the condos at Yosemite West, an in-park private holding off Highway 41, near the Glacier Ridge junction.

Book inside -- you should be able to get last minute reservations in the Valley.

My friends from England booked Cedar Lodge which claimed to be close to the Valley. They found it was not that close. And the place was pretty basic. For me, because of the incident at Cedar Lodge, I'd have a hard time staying there even if that was the only place.

I've stayed at the Tenaya Lodge in Fish Camp several times, and it's a pricy option for what is essentially an upscale motel. But I like the indoor pool and some other stuff it has to offer.

>> because of the incident at Cedar Lodge

We stayed in Yosemite View Lodge and it worked perfect. What you need to understand is that it is RIGHT NEXT TO THE ENTRANCE, but you have to drive quiet a distance to get to --- say the Visitor Center or the Awhanee (sp?) Hotel, or Half Dome, etc. Yes, the hotel is next to the entrance, but the entrance is a fair distance from anything you would be doing.

It is unlikely that it will be actively snowing in March.

http://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/climate.htm

Just one inch less than January and February snowfalls on average.

Mountain weather is not predictable as my brother was there in May with snow.Also if you are in a rental car, check and see if you can use snow chains on it. If it is snowing you may not be allowed up into the park without chains. When traveling in mountain areas, the locals know not to use mileage but time when planning a itinerary, as that is a lot more reliable. Mariposa is at a lower elevation and does not get very much snow, but as you leave there heading into the park it is all uphill, so the snow level can change when traveling a very short distance. It is also a good base camp with something to do if you do get caught in snow. Call the Mariposa Lodge and ask them about their cancellation policy. It is very nice, lots of great reviews, locally owned with a outdoor hot tub or Jacuzzi that is open all year, even when snowing outside. If your main goal is Yosemite Valley, I would definitely stay on the hwy 140 side and not on hwy 41.

Yes, regarding the distance from things, you really want to just look at a map. Google Maps is my go-to online map. When people quote distances to Yosemite, you never really know if they are quoting the distance to the park boundary or someplace within the park, which is why you get the conflicting information.

Another option if it does snow in the park, is Stay in Mariposa and take the Yarts Bus into the park. The bus has chains and runs all winter long, and there are 3 bus stops to choose from in town. The bus ticket price includes park entrance, and stops at all the popular spots in the valley.